Bad Foods That Are Really Good
By Sara Butler
Some foods have gotten a bad reputation -- one they don’t deserve. It seems like every few years a new food gets vilified and that vilification becomes hard to shake off. Here are a few foods that many consider to be unhealthy when they’re actually the opposite!
Eggs
Eggs are quite possibly one of the most perfect foods on earth when it comes to nutrition. But the yolks of the eggs have been thought of as unhealthy for years. That’s because the yolks are high in cholesterol -- just not the kind of cholesterol that raises blood cholesterol and increases your chances of heart disease.
Whole eggs may actually help to protect your heart by helping reduce bad cholesterol levels and increasing the good cholesterol in your blood. Eggs are also high in zeaxanthin and lutein, which can help keep your eyes healthy as you age.
Full-Fat Dairy
Butter, cream, and cheese are high in cholesterol and saturated fat, not to mention high in calories. But that doesn’t mean you should stay away from them forever and always. In fact, studies have shown that high-fat dairy doesn’t impact cholesterol levels negatively.
Full-fat dairy also has some other healthy qualities, such as Vitamin K2 that helps to protect your bones and blood vessels. So, don’t say no to full-fat dairy. Make it a responsible part of a varied diet.
Red Meat
Red meat has been demonized for years as a promoter of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. But unprocessed red meat is not as bad as you’ve been led to believe. While you may want to have it only occasionally, it’s a great source of high-quality protein and iron. Go for grass-fed beef when you have red meat at your table.
Frozen and Canned Vegetables
Some people seem to think that when it comes to fruits and vegetables, fresh is the only way to go. That’s simply not true. Freezing and canning vegetables helps them retain their nutrients -- and they’re less expensive!
Antioxidants and other water-soluble vitamins may be more prevalent in fresh produce, but the nutrient content overall remains the same. Just make sure to watch out for sodium in canned vegetables. You may want to buy the lower sodium variety and rinse them before eating.
It may be time to re-evaluate how you view some foods. They may not be as bad as you thought!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fort Mill, S.C.