7 Bad Foods That Are Not Bad After All

Did you stop eating a certain food because someone has told you that it was bad for you? Some products get bad reputations which they do not really deserve because of incorrect information. The truth is, quite a few of the foods you may think are bad may actually be beneficial for you. Find out more about not so bad foods.

White rice

Japan is one of the healthiest nations enjoying white rice at most meals. Plus, studies have found that those who eat rice are also less likely to be overweight. White rice has more essential nutrients than brown one due to fortification. It may surprise you to hear that the brown rice’s bran layer contains phytic acid, an anti nutrient that makes minerals such as iron and zinc hard to absorb. In addition, brown rice contains higher levels of arsenic than white one.

Coffee

In addition to containing caffeine that helps you get alert, coffee is one of the main sources of flavonoids. They are known to protect cells from the natural negative effects associated with aging and help improve heart health.

Coffee helps reduce the risk for diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. What is more, studies have found that athletic performance benefits can be seen with moderate amounts of caffeine. Experts seem to agree that moderate amounts of coffee that is about three cups per day, can have modest health benefits without evidence of health risk. Try to choose organic coffee, whenever it is possible.

Pasta
If you quit up white pasta because of a high glycemic index, think again. Pasta made from white durum wheat, has a glycemic index of 50- considered to be low. It means eating pasta won’t cause a quick spike of blood sugar and will keep you feeling fuller for a long time. The secret is to keep portions to no more than a cup cooked. Believe it or not, this is a recommended serving size of pasta. For a more filling and balanced meal, prepare pasta with seafood, vegetables or lean protein like chicken and top it with a tomato based sauce rather than a cream based one.

Canadian bacon

Regular bacon is packed with sodium saturated fat, but Canadian bacon is lower in both calories, fat but still high in protein. Besides sodium there is a lot to love about it. One oz serving of Canadian bacon has about 49 calories and 1.5 g of fat, in comparison to regular bacon with 160 calories and 15g of fat per ounce. Canadian bacon provides zinc, iron and B vitamins, along with the friendly monounsaturated fats. When choosing this bacon, look for the natural uncured variety, as they do not contain nitrates.

Beef

If you are one of those meat lovers who decided to give up the red one in order to lose weight or to make the diet healthier, you may be happy to hear that eating moderate amounts of lean beef can actually help you lose weight and improve your overall health. Many choices of beef sold at stores are classified as lean, meaning the cuts provide up to ten grams of total fat and no more than five grams of saturated fat in a three oz serving. You also can find now beef containing neither hormones nor antibiotics as well as both grass feed and organic options. Beef provides several essential minerals and vitamins including protein, B-vitamins, zinc and iron.

 

Dried fruit

Many dieters avoid dried fruit because it has more concentrated calories than fresh fruit. While this seems to be true, dried fruit can serve when fresh fruit is not available. Dried fruit can also be enjoyed as a replacement for desserts such as candy or baked goods. Dried fruits contain the same nutrients as their fresh counterparts. They are also antioxidant powerhouses. Look for options which have not added sugar. Try them on top of your oatmeal or mixed with nonfat plain yogurt.

Popcorn

If you eat popcorn only when you go to the movie, you are missing out one of the healthiest grains. Researchers reported that popcorn is packed with phytonutrients. The beneficial compounds are in the darker hulls of the kernel. Experts revealed that popcorn contains nearly twice as many polyphenols compared to a serving of fruit. What is more, popcorn is absolutely whole grain; unlike many other whole grain foods that are only partially made with whole ones. You can enjoy 3 cups of popcorn for just 99 calories and it has 4g of filling fiber.