If dieticians and nutritionists had it their way, they would have you believe that there are good foods and bad foods and while there is some truth to that statement, some food gets a bad rap when in reality it is good food. Below we dispel five food myths that average people think are bad when in reality, they are good.
The macadamia nuts were once branded the world’s most unhealthy nuts because they are very high in fat, oily to the touch and have a buttery texture when bitten into. Now though people have discovered the benefits of adding macadamia nuts to your diet. For starters this particular nut stands up well against roasting and it’s very low in omega-6 fats and extremely high in magnesium, manganese, thiamine, copper and iron. Macadamia nuts are also rich in palmitoleic acid, a fatty acid which has been proven to improve blood lipids. Another added benefit is these macadamia nuts actually taste great and they are an excellent source of fiber. Another factor to consider is when macadamia nuts are eaten with other food like fruits, they slow down the release of insulin thereby stopping fat accumulation in its tracks. This leaves one feeling fuller for longer which comes in very handy when trying to lose weight.
photo by Kirsten Loza
Ask anyone what their favorite chocolate is and without a doubt they will all say milk chocolate and while it’s heaven for your taste buds, the healthier alternative is actually extra dark chocolate. The darker the chocolate the better it is for you. Next time you reach for dark chocolate check and see if it has at least 85% cacao content and a low sugar content and if you are courageous enough, reach for the extra dark chocolate with pure 100% raw cacao powder. Why the emphasis on cacao? Simply because health experts have found that it is one of the richest sources of dietary polyphenols. It is also high in a saturated fat called stearic acid that is known to vastly improve lipid numbers. For any doubters out there, research is firmly on the side of dark chocolate because when eaten in moderation it actually does the body good. Not only has it been proven to be good for the heart but it can improve blood flow because it contains tons of flavonoids which may prevent the stiffening of blood vessels.
photo by Siona Watson
Butter should be embraced as your spread of choice over margarine and any buttery spread because it is rich in healthy mono unsaturated fats which happen to be the body’s preferred fats for energy. And while eating butter is certainly not the same thing as eating fatty fish, it is also a very good source for omega-3 fats and it is really low in omega-6 fats. A good source for omega-3 fats is grass-fed butter which also contains CLA, a trans-fat believed to have potential anti-cancer properties. CLA is also very helpful in increasing the metabolic rate, decreasing abdominal fat, lowering insulin resistance and enhancing the immune system. This same brand of butter also contains vitamin K-2 which is believed to have potent anti-osteoporosis and anti-atherosclerosis effects. The other vitamins found in butter include true vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E all of which greatly benefit the body.
Liver gets a bad rap on two levels – taste and the way it is cooked. Both turn people off from this otherwise really good food. It’s not just tasty but when cooked right, liver delivers more multivitamins than any other food available. Just a single four ounce serving of beef liver has been shown to provide high levels of vitamin A, choline, B-vitamins, selenium, folate, protein and zinc. Liver also has a negative reputation because it is the body’s filter so people wrongly believe that consumption of liver means they are consuming the toxins too. In reality though, proper preparation and cooking burn off the toxins and liver is good for the body because it is rich in iron which the body needs. Anemic people would especially immensely benefit from eating liver.
Eggs in particular have been at the center of the food battle for years. They are believed to be high in dietary cholesterol which makes them enemy number one for people on heart-healthy diets. To eat eggs or not to eat them is a question that has baffled many people and while there are tons of good arguments for either side, research has proven that eating eggs in the morning is good for you because they are packed with protein which keeps you fuller longer and if you’re fuller, you eat less which helps you keep the pounds off. Besides the weight loss factor, eggs are good for you because they contain the antioxidants necessary for optimal eye health. The lutein and zeaxanthin found in eggs keeps macular degeneration at bay which is the leading cause of blindness. Also, forget what you think you heard about egg yolks and cholesterol, the truth is they do not adversely affect your cardiovascular health. Matter of fact, egg yolks are a rich source of choline, a micronutrient necessary for fat metabolism and lipid clearance from the liver. Better yet they also contain acetylcholine, an important brain chemical in the formation and retention of memory. Another added benefit to loading up on egg yolks is they contain plenty of pre-formed vitamin A which the body readily absorbs far better than beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin K-2 and some omega-3 fatty acids.
All the foods on this list are not just very affordable and won’t break your bank account but they also have tons of nutrients that are necessary in keeping your body in the best shape so the next time you are tempted to pass up on these yummy foods because of their bad rap, remember all the nutritional benefits you are denying your body and then scoop up a serving because regardless of what you have read or heard, these food really are good for you.
