9 Foods And Beverages That Are Not As Unhealthy As You Think

A friend of mine got me Kit Kat bar few days back, and I didn’t eat it because too much sugar is not good for your health etc. But, because I was a bit hungry, I had a small bowl of Poha instead. Just out of curiosity, when I Googled later to find out what difference it would have made, had I eaten the Kit Kat instead of Poha, I found out that that bar of Kit Kat had 165 calories and that bowl of Poha had 190.

Not that I’m advising you to munch on chocolates all the time, but that just triggered the thought that there might be some dishes which we think are very unhealthy but actually aren’t. So, here is a list of nine snacks that are not as unhealthy as you think.

1. Cheese

Too much of anything is not good and cheese can be significantly high on calories if grated on top of your meal. But some cheeses are very nutritious, for example, Cheddar. It’s rich in calcium, zinc, vitamin B12, and is a source of vitamin A, riboflavin, and folate. If you include cheese in your diet in moderation, it can be very healthy.

 

2. Pizza

I won’t say that pizza is extremely low on fat, but if you are careful while choosing, it can be very nutritious. Pick a whole wheat thin crust, less cheese, lot of chicken and vegetables. You will have a healthy meal ready.

 

3. Chocolate

Cocoa is rich in a number of minerals and polyphenols, mainly flavonols. The same compounds are found in red wine and green tea and are good for your heart. Try choosing dark chocolate if you can as it has a higher cocoa content and therefore polyphenol content.

 

4. Peanut Butter

It’s true that it has a lot of calories, but it is full of healthy fats that help your body absorb essential vitamins from other foods you eat, so it’s totally worth every calorie. Just be careful while picking the right variety.

 

5. Popcorn

Before you assume anything, let me make it clear that popcorn served at movies is bad news, as they take a bath in salted butter before they are served. But, if you light microwave it and make it at home, they are rich in fiber and have as less as 31 calories per cup.

 

6. Potatoes

The type of potato and how you cook it matters a lot. For example, purple potatoes can reduce blood pressure in hypertensive, obese individuals without making them gain any weight. They are high in fiber and contain almost no fat. Sweet potatoes are also very good for your health. So, instead of loading your potatoes with cheese and bacon, opt for herbs and more veggies.

 

7. Dried Fruit

People say that all the water is taken out of dry fruits and only sugar is left, but they don’t know that the sugar would have anyways been there. It has not been increased. They are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. But, if you are buying them from the market, make sure there’s no added sugar.

 

8. Alcohol

Drinking in moderation is actually good for your health. According to a Harvard study, those who have an average of two drinks every day have a lower risk of a heart attack than those who drink a lot.

 

9. Pasta

Again, it totally depends on how you cook it and what all you put in it. Pick a fresh pasta and balance it out with lean protein (like fish or chicken), healthy fats (like olive oil), and plenty of fiber-rich veggies.

Hope these were helpful. Until next time… 🙂

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