Every year it seems that one food or food group becomes public enemy number one. Don’t eat fat, no- don’t eat carbohydrates. Sugar is bad, but so is salt. There’s so much food policing out there, that it’s a miracle anything is deemed “safe” to eat. Below are five foods that are constantly booed by the online health community, that are actually good for you. Here are some food myths:
Potatoes
Potatoes are usually seen as food to avoid when going on a diet- when in fact that’s a food myth. Restricting a particular food will more likely make you want to overindulge in that food, so practicing moderation is key.
Changes to one’s eating habits should definitely include potatoes. There are thousands of varieties of potato and it is an extremely versatile vegetable. Potatoes are high in fiber and they also help promote digestion. Other benefits range from helping control blood pressure to bettering brain health. They are also naturally gluten free (for those with gluten sensitivities).
Butter
Butter is mainly fat from dairy, and despite what some may think fat in food does not make you fat, only eating excess calories can do that. Butter is great to cook with as it can be used for high heat cooking such as pan-frying or sautéing. Butter is also a good source of vitamins A, E, and K. It also is a rich source of the antioxidant Selenium.
Eggs
Eggs are thought to be a link to cardiovascular disease, however, it is not one of the foods that will make you fat or send you to an early grave, hence making our list of food myths. Sitting for too long and making poor dietary choices daily are two major things that lead to heart disease. Whole eggs contain between 6 to 8 grams of protein and it is recommended that those trying to lose weight consume 0.5 grams of protein for every pound of body weight.
Popcorn
Popcorn isn’t always thought of as the delicious low calorie snack that it is. That’s mainly due to many brands adding high calorie flavors to an otherwise simple treat. Throwing on extra salty butter substitutes or chocolates can make this into a calorie bomb. However, light popcorn, enjoyed in moderation, makes a great snack you can enjoy daily..
Bread
Bread has been around for 30 thousand years and also makes our list of food myths. It’s only recently in Western countries that bread has been labeled as a “bad” food. Go for whole wheat or whole grain options, both of which have fiber, healthy fats, iron, and magnesium. Think of bread as a canvas and what you top it with as paint. To create a masterpiece be sure to use some fats (butter, cheeses), protein (fish/meat), and healthy carbohydrates (vegetables).
