If you’re looking for smarter ways to eat, we have seven foods that you should NOT cross off your grocery list, despite unhealthy eating myths!
"Everything that tastes good is bad for you." This is a line we always hear when it comes to eating healthy. But, contrary to popular belief, this actually isn't true. When it comes to dieting and losing weight, you don't always have to cut out the foods that you love most. Check out this list of "unhealthy" foods that are healthy.
7 Good-for-You Foods
1. Potatoes
Potatoes are high in nutrition, including potassium and fiber. The way that Americans tend to prepare the vegetable, deep fried or loaded in salt, can make them very unhealthy. But, if you roast them and top them with herbs, they can be quite good for you. They can also increase brain function, help prevent cardiovascular disease, and provide a great source of vitamins and minerals that are great for your skin.
2. Beef
Lean beef is a great source of protein, zinc, phosphorus, B-Complex vitamins and iron. A lean, 3-ounce serving of beef makes up less than 10 percent of a daily 2,000 calorie diet. Calorie for calorie, beef has more protein than practically any other food, which is great since most Americans have an iron deficiency.
3. Eggs
You’ve heard that you should only eat egg whites and not the entire egg. But, the truth is that the yolk of the egg contains cholesterol that is good for you. This cholesterol is called “dietary cholesterol,” which is better than the kind of cholesterol that is linked to an increased risk of heart attack and strokes. Eating eggs can also help with neurological function and reduced inflammation.
4. Canned Veggies
Canned vegetables tend to have a bad reputation. They are not considered to be as healthy as their fresh versions, but the truth is that they can be just as healthy, if not healthier, as fresh veggies. Canned vegetables are typically processed and canned when their nutritional content is at its highest, keeping all the vitamins stored inside the can for you. What’s more, canned veggies have a long shelf life and are usually quite inexpensive.
5. Pizza
Perhaps the biggest surprise on this list, pizza, can actually be quite good for you, depending on how you top it. The sauce can be very nutritious for you, as it often includes vitamin-rich garlic, olive oil filled with good cholesterol, and basil and oregano, which are high in fiber and Vitamin K. If you select smart toppings like low-fat cheese and green veggies, there’s no reason you should cut out this American favorite from your diet.
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an incredible product with what seems like a never-ending list of uses. While in the past coconut oil was written off as a terrible article clogger, it is now known that coconut oil contains no cholesterol or trans-fats. Coconut oil can be used to give your hair a better shine, moisturize skin, remove makeup, clean leather shoes, combat canker sores, serve as a homemade toothpaste when combined with baking soda, add a bit of sweetness to drinks and more.
7. Bananas
Bananas are a superfruit that can give you a healthy dose of fiber, manganese, Vitamin C, potassium, and Vitamin B6 all for around 100 calories. Bananas are a healthy carbohydrate and are a great choice when refueling after a workout or grabbing a mid-morning snack to combat cravings.
Overall, it’s difficult to understand what foods the media is pushing as healthy or unhealthy, but a diet of lean meats, fruits, and vegetables is always on par with a healthy diet!