Are These ""Unhealthy"" Foods Actually Healthy?

If you are someone who likes to take the time to educate yourself on how to take care of your health, you probably then know to take into account which foods are considered healthy, or not so good for your health, based on recommendations from nutritionists, doctors, and other healthcare professionals, even including  scientists.

Armed with this knowledge, you are probably already aware of some of the worst offenders to your health that can make an appearance in your diet, and so you do your best to avoid those food items. I know that I am certainly the same way, and I do my best to be diligent while reading the Nutrition Facts on packages of food, avoiding items that are overly processed or that possess a serious lack of nutritious elements.

Still, I recently came across an article post by Care 2 that discussed some of the more common food items that many of us (health professionals and average Joe's alike) would consider unhealthy and bad to have in the diet. The article promised to talk about why some of these foods may not be as bad as they have been advertised, so naturally, I continued to read the article to learn a little bit more about what it had to say on this matter. Here is what I learned.

First up is full-fat dairy products such as eggs, milk, and yogurt. The fat that is naturally found in foods has unfortunately received a bad and downright false reputation as being completely unhealthy for the body and even contributing to weight gain, but this really is not always the case. In fact, the fat that is found in products such as eggs, cheese, and other dairy products can actually help the body convert energy from fat stores. Translation? It can help you lose weight, rather than gain it. As for the claim the eggs have too much cholesterol to be healthy,eggs have so many important nutrients such as protein, lutein, and vitamin D that eating them in moderation is better for your health, as opposed to worse.

Interestingly enough, everyone's favorite snack, popcorn, may also not be as unhealthy as it is made out to be. As it turns out, it is really all of the unhealthy toppings that are often put on it, such as butter, salt, and oil, that make it a less than ideal treat. Keep it lightly seasoned for a healthier snack.

Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Jason McKnight