You might be staying away from some foods because you heard they were terrible for you. Don’t just believe everything that you hear. These are 5 foods with a bad rep that are actually healthy. There’s no need to torture yourself by completely abstaining from them.
1 – Popcorn
Popcorn is packed with phytonutrients and polyphenols. It has twice as much as a lot of fruits.
If you eliminated popcorn from your diet, you’re missing out on one of the healthiest whole grains.
In 3 cups you can get 100 calories and 3 grams of fiber. You can obviously mess the food up with tons of butter and salt, but popcorn by itself is extremely healthy.
2 – Potatoes
People seem to have this idea that potatoes make you pile on the ugly pounds. I think it has more to do with how they are prepared.
In a medium sized potato you’ll only find about 170 calories and a bunch of potassium and fiber. The skin is packed with antioxidants that help prevent cancer and heart disease.
Potatoes also provide a form of resistant carb that can’t be digested. It helps to regulate blood sugar and keeps you full.
This food get’s it’s bad rep from poor preparation like fries and chips. You can also add a ton of extra unnecessary calories pretty easily by adding margarine and other fats.
3 – Egg Yoke
Egg whites are becoming increasingly popular, but why? People seem to try to avoid the yellow part of the egg because of the cholesterol.
Studies have shown that heart conditions are caused by saturated fat, more so than dietary cholesterol.
The egg yoke provides healthy fats and dietary cholesterols. The protein, vitamin D, phosphorus, riboflavin, choline, and selenium will keep you fuller longer than a strictly carb breakfast like cereal.
I would be more concerned with what you’re eating the eggs with. If it’s really fatty bacon or sausage, then that’s your real problem.
4 – White Rice
The healthiest nation in the world is Japan. And you know what? They eat white rice with almost every meal.
Might as well play follow the leader. But keep in mind that serving sizes in Japan are much smaller than in the Unites States.
5 – Red Meat
It’s said that red meat is a big reason for heart issues. That’s because it can be high in saturated fat.
Lean red meat provides a ton of protein, B vitamins, iron, and zinc. The secret is to find the right cut of meat.
When you’re at a restaurant, always as the waiter/waitress for the leanest cuts. At the store always pick the least “marbled” looking meat.
If there is a lot of white webbing that makes the meat look like marble, then it’s probably higher in fat. Solid red cuts are much leaner.
There’s no need to eliminate these 5 foods with a bad rep. They’re actually healthy. It might sound cliche, but you just have to use moderation. And stay away from the additives like tons of salt, margarine, bad oils, etc. If you enjoyed the read, please share it with your friends on facebook. I bet you’ll also like to know some secrets that will stop your junk food cravings.
About Adam Pegg
