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Myths: “Unhealthy” Foods That Are Actually Healthy [Slideshow]

Anne

Dec 11, 2019

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There’s a ton of nutritional advice out there. Eat this. Don’t eat that. This is fine, but only a little bit. Maybe this helps heart disease, but it could also cause cancer. My head is spinning, just thinking about it. There are most certainly myths out there regarding “unhealthy” foods that, in reality, are healthy.

So, how do we know what’s healthy and what’s not? While understanding the science behind the ideal nutrition breakdown is more than we can get into right now, it’s important to know that you shouldn’t believe every food claim you hear.

Unhealthy Food Myths

We did some debunking to find out if some of these “unhealthy” foods may not be so bad for you after all. Here’s what we found. Flip through the slideshow below to be pleasantly surprised.

A Note from GR8NESS

Moderation is the key to everything. Basing your diet solely around any specific food(s) is bound to have negative results. It’s essential to have a well-balanced nutritional intake for optimal health.

Uncooked potatoes sitting next to a cooking pot

Image by congerdesign / Pixabay

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Potatoes

Potatoes have a bad reputation. Filled with starches, packed with carbs, often deep-fried and turned into chips and fries. All the things that we've been told are unhealthy. Surely, potatoes are bad for us

Fact: Unfried potatoes, such as baked potatoes, are full of potassium and fiber. Potassium and fiber help regulate blood sugar levels. And that starch we've been conditioned to believe is so bad? It helps keep you fuller for longer, so you're less likely to snack between meals.

Small floral designed cups filled with popcorn

Image by ulajj / Pixabay

2 of

Popcorn

Your favorite snack at the movie theater, drenched in butter, salty, and savory. Popcorn is surely a no-no. But is it really?

Fact: Whole grains have been proclaimed the best type of grain you can consume, and guess what? Popcorn is 100% whole grain. Even more so, it's full of antioxidants. Steer clear of the butter and opt for the air-popped option, and popcorn isn't bad for you after all.

A sizzling fried egg in a pan sprinkled with green onions

Image by Eisenmenger / Pixabay

3 of

Egg Yolks

"I'll take an egg white omelet, please!" Egg yolks are bad for your cholesterol, aren't they? While egg yolks do contain a lot of cholesterol, their nutritional value is much greater.

Fact: Just because a food is high in cholesterol, it doesn't mean that your body's cholesterol levels are bound to increase. And when you throw out that egg yolk, you're tossing away the vast majority of nutrients in the food. Egg yolks contain notable amounts of calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin D.

Healthy peanut butter spread across a piece of toast

Image by Shutterbug75 / Pixabay

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Peanut butter

High in fat? Lots of calories for such a small serving? No, thank you! It's been said that peanut butter is fattening and can cause weight gain. If you eat it in extreme amounts, it's can be. But it turns out that peanut butter has great nutritional value.

Fact: Peanut butter is comprised of mostly healthy fats, loaded with vitamin B-6, magnesium, iron, fiber, and potassium. It's said that the healthy fats in peanut butter can reduce the risk of heart disease, and even contribute to weight loss.

Image by Africa Studio / Shutterstock

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Chocolate Milk

While technically not a food, chocolate milk still makes the list. Mostly because it's delicious. But it's loaded with sugar and fat. Definitely not healthy, and likely to cause weight gain. Right?

Fact: Chocolate milk has a 3 to 1 carbohydrate/protein ratio that's been shown to help promote muscle growth. It restores your body with much-needed electrolytes. High in potassium, vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Chocolate milk can contribute to building strong bones, an improved immune system, and higher energy levels. Of course, don't make it your go-to drink all the time.

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Anne

GR8NESS Writer

Anne is a GR8NESS Contributing Writer, covering mental health, self-development, body, health, and pet care. She believes that self-betterment comes from addressing all aspects of the mind, body, and soul. When she’s not writing, you will definitely find her giving her dog belly rubs and reading the first half of every book she buys.

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