Unmasking 9 Foods: The Truth About Their Health Benefits
Hi, friend! Welcome back to my porch. Today we’re about to discuss a problem that has followed me my whole life: weight loss.
We often hear about the importance of maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. My life has been a constant struggle against those annoying extra pounds. I’ve never had a model’s body; my thighs have always been larger, which means I have to be particularly mindful of what I eat. I’ve counted my calories, I’ve worked out, and I’ve walked a lot, but here I am, still fighting to lose some weight before our short vacation.
I never thought that in retirement, I’d still have to worry about my weight. Am I alone in this? Please tell me that you’re not one of those women who can eat wherever they want and never gain weight, because I’m going to hate you. Ha, ha. I’m joking. I just realized how overwhelming this weight loss journey was for me. Don’t get me wrong! I was never obese, but I’ve always struggled to accept my body, especially my big legs.
As I am very interested in discovering the secret to losing weight overnight, I have read extensively about nutrition. I learned which foods are best for our bodies and the optimal times to consume them. But what if I told you that some of the foods we thought were bad for our health are actually very good for us? Read on because you’ll be shocked!
9 Foods That Are Actually Good for Your Health
1. Dairy milk
Currently, plant-based milk alternatives are gaining popularity, leading many to believe that traditional milk is unhealthy. This information is totally false. Multiple studies suggest that unless you have an intolerance or sensitivity, dairy isn’t likely to be inflammatory. Many famous dietitians are encouraging people to opt for traditional options, as dairy milk is a great source of protein and calcium.
2. Potatoes
Did you know that potatoes provide us with vital vitamins and minerals? Even though potatoes are often considered an unhealthy source of carbs, in reality, dieticians believe they shouldn’t be seen as enemies.
The trick is how you prepare the potatoes. If you learn which are the best recipes, you’ll definitely get the best out of them. For example, you should skip deep-frying and opt for baked or roasted cooking styles. Also, if you want to get most of the fiber benefits, make sure to eat the peel.
3. Bananas
I love bananas! Despite my ongoing struggle with extra weight, I used to avoid these fruits. Recently, though, I discovered that while bananas are often considered high in sugar, they are actually among the most nutritious fruits and can be beneficial for a weight-loss plan.
Dietitians recommend we consume bananas, especially because of their potassium and its benefits for heart health. Research shows that bananas are great for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
4. Chocolate
Is there someone who doesn’t love chocolate? Then, what are you doing on my website? Ha, ha. I’m joking. I just can’t understand how some people live without chocolate. I was a desert lover since I can remember.
You surely know what doctors say about chocolate and sugar intake. However, compared to other types of desserts, chocolate, especially the ones extra dark, is by far one of the healthiest treats you can have.
Since I switched to dark chocolate, I noticed visible changes in my weight loss journey. For example, since I learned that the more cocoa solids it contains, the higher it is in antioxidants. Flavonoids and polyphenols support heart health and reduce inflammation. There are even some interesting studies saying that eating dark chocolate every week was linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Isn’t that cool?
So, whenever I want something sweet, I eat some dark chocolate. It became one of my favorite treats, and I can’t recommend it enough.
5. Bread
Many Americans tend to avoid eating bread, especially when they want to lose weight. But that’s not the only reason! For example, since the anti-sugar trend appeared, more and more people are scared of what their favorite bread brands might contain.
I advise you to take a look at the ingredients first, because some breads can add good nutritional value, such as whole grains, fiber, and B vitamins. The best would be to prioritize whole-grain breads, because this ingredient is the most important one when it comes to bread, while also having the power to lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes.
Don’t get me wrong! It doesn’t mean that you need to stop consuming white bread! You just need to pay attention. As long as at least half of the grains you eat are whole grains, you should be fine.
6. Cheese
Are you tired of hearing that cheese is too high in calories? Well, me too. What most people don’t know is that cheese has plenty of nutrients, making it a great addition to almost any diet. It can be high in sodium and fat, but we shouldn’t forget that it also offers a lot of protein and flavours to our meals.
I used to consume cheese as a mid-afternoon snack, because that’s usually when my hunger hits. The high content of protein and fat makes it the best option in my healthy eating journey. If you want to include it in your diet, all you need to do is make sure that you stick to a decent serving size and don’t overeat. I would say that it would be great if you stick to about 1.5 oz per day.
7. Popcorn
Ohhh, probably the most difficult part when you want to establish a healthy lifestyle is to stay away from all those tasty snacks, am I right? However, if you are looking for a satisfying option, popcorn should be your go-to choice. Compared to other options, it’s by far one of the healthiest because it’s a whole grain that is high in fiber, which can promote digestion and help you feel full.
Another great advantage of eating popcorn is that it is vegan and gluten-free, making it a great choice if you have any dietary restrictions.
8. Nut butters
Yes, nut butters can be high in fat, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t offer benefits. For example, most of these butters are nutrient-dense, which means that they provide healthy fats, protein, and essential vitamins like vitamin E and magnesium.
For example, the creamy macadamia butter is known to be incredible in improving gut health. So, it’s a great option if you’re bored with the classic peanut butter. Another good option is the almond butter, because it offers more vitamin E and calcium than the classic option. So, keep in mind that a variety of butters can offer you unlimited health benefits.
9. Salad dressing
I used to believe that salads without a proper dressing don’t taste good. Well, I was completely wrong. We don’t need to purchase those unhealthy and high in calories salad dressings if we can make our own. A homemade salad dressing will never affect your health. All you need to do is choose the right ingredients and put yourself to work.
No matter the recipe you follow, don’t forget to use extra virgin olive oil, because it provides heart-healthy fats and antioxidants as the base. Then, add your favorite ingredients. Sounds easy, right? Trust me, once you discover the magic recipe that will satisfy your taste, you’ll never go back to those ready-to-eat options.
The Bottom Line
Before you stress out about not having enough healthy options at the supermarket, learn how to distinguish between the foods that are good and not for you. It’s not as difficult as it seems. You just need a little bit of motivation to improve your lifestyle and overall health. Nowadays, all this precious information is just a click away. So, you don’t have any excuses, and you don’t need to listen to everybody’s opinions. Unfortunately, a lot of information from all kinds of dietitians is misleading the public. Learn your lessons from the best, and don’t forget to check your sources.
Before leaving, here’s today’s song recommendation: “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves. This is one of my favorite songs, and it always lifts my mood, helping me establish a feel-good mindset.
Oh, and I almost forgot, here’s one of the most famous and top-rated recipe books that can be found on Amazon. You need to check it out! Hope you had a great time! See you soon!
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