So-Called Unhealthy Foods You Should Be Eating

When it comes to healthy eating, nutritionists know what’s up.
They’re professionally trained in how to take in the optimal balance of nutrients.
"Apples, berries, pears, watermelons..."
"Uhh… corn-dogs."
So, when we picture a typical nutritionist, we often think of a glowing young woman who
has a green smoothie for breakfast, packed a salad for lunch, and roasts some veggies
for dinner.
Her cheat day?
Kale chips.
So, maybe she spends some days like this, but nutritionists also know a little secret:
Food isn’t good or bad.
We’re not "good" for eating a salad or "bad" for eating a pizza.
In fact, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that classifying certain foods like that
only leads to confusion and unhealthy eating.
They also skip fads, like:
"The Instagram diet.
That’s where you order whatever you want, take a picture of it, post it, throw it in
the garbage.
Tweet it, don’t eat it."
"I don’t wanna do that one."
We could all learn a little something from nutritionists when it comes to balance.
Here are some foods you thought were unhealthy, but are actually good for you!
"So good, so good, so good, so good."
Eggs
Notice we're talking about eggs, not just egg whites.
Yes, girl, eat those yolks!
A whole egg contains six grams of protein and only seventy calories.
The egg yolk itself is a rich source of choline, which is an anti-inflammatory nutrient.
It not only protects from neurological disease, but also helps produce those happy chemicals
like serotonin and dopamine.
If you've been sticking with a little granola or fruit in the morning with the hopes of
dropping a few pounds, don't be afraid to add some eggs to your plate.
A study in the International Journal of Obesity found that dieters who ate eggs for breakfast
lost a whopping 65 percent more weight than those who had a bagel with the equal amount
of calories!
Eggs are healthy, but omelets loaded with cheese and cooked in butter?
Not so much.
Spray a pan with a little EVOO, and throw some veggies in your scramble.
"E-G-G-S, E-G-G-S, E-G-G-S, eggs!
E-G-G-S, E-G-G-S, E-G-G-S...
Potatoes
Potatoes were friend-zoned during the low-carb craze of the '90s.
But now you can get your crush back on with spuds!
Potatoes are loaded with nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin B, iron, potassium, and fiber.
They also contain the new nutrition buzzwords, "resistance starch."
It’s the type of starch that gives you that full feeling, but the body doesn’t absorb
it.
Enjoying a baked potato or oven-baked fries won’t derail your diet.
The secret is to be choosy with toppings.
Nutritionists choose a small amount of one or two of their favorites, then load up with
veggies.
Pasta
Don't ditch your macaroni all together.
Whole grain pasta is a great source of energy and fiber.
Just aim to match the same amounts of pasta and vegetables on your plate — like onions,
peppers, zucchini, spinach, and broccoli.
Balance out the starch of the pasta with some healthy fats like olive oil or nuts, and lean
protein like chicken or fish.
"If you do it the way your grandmother tells you to do, you never go wrong.
Let’s have a good time."
Beer
You don't have to skip happy hour with your co-workers to live a healthy lifestyle.
Your favorite nutritionist isn’t avoiding the bar at all costs.
She's just being smart about portions.
Beer is a rich source of carbohydrates and antioxidants.
For women, "moderate drinking" means no more than one drink per day.
Having a beer might even lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.
"You, me, beer, baseball — what more could a guy want?"
"UGHHHH"
Coffee
It's easy to beat yourself up for feeling dependent on caffeine, but maybe it's time
to stop with the anti-coffee crusade.
In moderation, coffee can absolutely be part of a healthy diet.
Not only is it loaded with antioxidants, but it's been linked to a lower incidence of type
2 diabetes.
Opt for black coffee with a little non-fat or nut milk.
Skip the sugary creamers.
Avoid the jitters by limiting yourself to one cup each morning.
After that, switch to water to hydrate.
"Marsha"
"And when it's ready, Verisimo's voice feature will let you know."
"Amorfa.
Order for Amorfa."
Raisins
We’re often told to steer clear of dried fruit, because of their sugar levels.
Fresh is always best, but don't pick the raisins out of your trail mix just yet.
Unlike other dried fruits, raisins don't contain added sugar or fruit juice.
Grapes aren’t tart, so they don't need any added sweetness.
Just remember that portion sizes are still important.
One cup of grapes is equal to about one-fourth cup of raisins.
Toss some in with your yogurt, nuts, or celery snack in the afternoon.
"I wanna be creative with raisins, I use Sun-Maid.
I wouldn’t dream of giving my family anything less."
Peanut butter
Yes, peanut butter is high in fat, so portion control is key, but don't give up on your
beloved PB&J just yet.
Studies have shown that people who eat peanut butter regularly are actually healthier overall.
Peanut butter is high in protein, which helps you feel full.
Make sure to opt for natural peanut butter.
Other types can have a little junk in their trunks — like high fructose corn syrup and
trans fats.
"It's peanut butter jelly time!
Peanut butter jelly time!
Peanut butter jelly time!
Where he at?
Where he at?!"
Bread
The next time your dieting friend practically slaps the waiter for bringing a bread basket
to the table, share the good news.
Bread is not the enemy.
In fact, bread can be incredibly nutritious and won’t sabotage your weight-loss efforts
— if you select the right kind.
"I. LOVE.
BREAD."
Stick with whole grain, because it contains all parts of the kernel — which means it
contains all the natural nutrients.
Refined, white bread, has been stripped of the bran and germ, which contain most of bread's
fiber and vitamins.
"Bake it well, make it ring the bell"
Bacon
Nutritionists don't deprive themselves of the food they love most.
But when it comes to bacon?
Small portions are the way to go.
Bacon’s gotten a bad rap because it’s high in saturated fat.
But the Women's Health Initiative, which studied over 20,000 women, found no evidence that
a low-fat diet protected against heart disease.
In fact, enjoying some fat in your diet will help you feel full and satisfied — and is
even associated with improved weight loss.
"Is that bacon?"
"Yeah"
"You hate it when I eat bacon."
So if you're a bacon addict, try using it as a topping instead of the main course.
Birthday cake
Yes, birthday cake, sugar cookies, and pastries are still okay to eat.
"I have no interest in dieting.
I’ll get there.
It’ll happen."
But nutritionists know when the splurge is worth it — on special occasions only.
We've all felt that smug satisfaction of passing on dessert at the party, only to go home and
eat an entire pan of brownies.
Treat yourself when it's worth it, and pass when it's not.
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, all foods can fit into a healthy
diet when consumed in moderation, in small portions, and when eating in tandem with exercise.
"I’m in love.
I’m having a relationship with my pizza."
By allowing yourself to taste your favorite foods once in awhile, you'll strike that healthy
balance that expert nutritionists enjoy!
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So-Called Unhealthy Foods You Should Be Eating

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