Top 5 “Bad” Foods That Are Healthier Than You Think
(WellnessPursuits.com) – Fads and crazes come and go. You hear horror stories about different foods you shouldn’t eat. You’ve probably been on diets that tell you to avoid carbohydrates and your doctor has probably told you to lay off caffeine.
The truth is that there are some foods that get a bad reputation but can actually be good for your health.
5 Foods That Are Healthier Than You Think:
- Beef. You’ve probably been told to stay away from red meat because it’s high in artery clogging fats. The reality is that beef is loaded with iron and protein. The trick to keeping it healthy is in choosing a leaner cut of beef. Of your lean beef choices, grass fed offers the healthiest option. When compared with grain fed beef, grass fed contains more omega-3 and it’s lower in saturated fat, and most always, hormonal and antibiotic free. In short, put beef back on the menu, just make sure your cuts are grass fed and lean.
- Coffee. Did you know that coffee is actually good for you? The studies indicate that drinking coffee in moderation can help your body fight off diseases, like diabetes. That’s because the beans are loaded with nutrients and antioxidants and coffee even has some diuretic properties to help you burn fat. While coffee shouldn’t be consumed in excess because of the caffeine, there are definite benefits to having one or two cups a day.
- Nuts. For years people avoided nuts because they are high in fat. It’s true that nuts do have fat, but it’s not the unhealthy kind of saturated fat that clogs arteries. They’re high in the type of fat your body needs to better absorb vitamins. Adding a handful of nuts to your routine when you take any multi-vitamin will help your body absorb those nutrients better. The type of fat found in nuts also has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes them a great addition to your workout routine and for those suffering from various inflammatory diseases.
- Cheese. If you’ve been forcing down milk because you think it’s good for you, think again. Milk contains high levels of D-galactose, a breakdown product of lactose that has been shown to be pro-inflammatory. (1) As a result it is highly inflammatory to our systems and actually increases our risk of bone fracture. Cheese on the other has a far lower level of D-galactose than does milk and lowers the our risk of fracture by 10-15%. (2)
- Alcohol. That’s right. Your old school relatives were right about taking a nip of alcohol to cure what ails you. Alcohol consumption in moderation can improve health in a number of ways – red wine is especially beneficial. It’s long been stated that a glass of wine a day offered benefits for heart health. Wine also offers natural antioxidants which boost the overall immune system and can even help you combat weight gain.
In most cases, even unhealthy foods can be eaten in moderation. Always check with your doctor before completely changing your diet or eliminating important nutrients.
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