Are You Eating These Foods Wrong?
By Sara Butler
There’s a right way and a wrong way to do most things. Believe it or not, eating your fruits and vegetables is one of them. You may be surprised by how many people consume seemingly healthy food in the wrong way, and you may be among their ranks. Here are a few foods that are commonly eaten wrong and the right way to nosh on them.
Apples
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but you must eat that apple the right way in order for it to be beneficial. Do you eat apples only in sauce form or peeled? If so, you’re doing it wrong! Apples should be eaten with the skin on in order to reap all of its nutritional value. The fiber in the skin helps you to feel fuller for longer, helps control blood cholesterol levels and assists your body in fighting inflammation – so leave that skin on!
Meat
Do you like to cook out? Most people love to throw a shrimp on the barbie from time to time, but char-broiling meat such as poultry, beef, and seafood at high temperatures can be hazardous to your health. The chemicals released through high-temperature cooking have been linked to cancer. You can reduce your risk by cooking your meat at lower temperatures. If you like the grill, try marinating the meat first and flipping it frequently once it’s on the grill.
Pistachios
Salty treats such as nuts have their place in a healthy diet, and pistachios are an especially great choice. They are low in calories and low in fat – the lowest of all nuts, actually. The problem is buying these green gems pre-peeled. Cutting out the extra step of peeling your pistachios has you missing one of their biggest benefits. See, when you take the time to peel pistachios it means you eat fewer of them than you would if there was no shell. This can save the average person about 200 calories. It’s like a built-in insurance policy against overindulging in these little nuts.
Dairy
Many people think the healthiest options are often those that are labeled as low calorie or low fat, but the truth is those choices aren’t always the best. When you buy some dairy products that are low in fat and low in calories, you may be inadvertently adding more sugar to your diet. This is because when you take out the fat you also take out some of the taste, and adding sugar helps it to be palatable to the average person. When it comes to dairy, the vitamins, and fatty acids it supplies needs fat to help you absorb them. Fat-free milk with Vitamin D doesn’t give you all the benefits of a higher fat version. Plus, that fat comes in handy with helping you to feel fuller for longer.
So, are you eating these foods wrong? Now you know better!