So many healthy foods have been portrayed by the media as unhealthy, while other foods that are truly bad for us have been trumpeted as part of a nutritious diet. It’s difficult to know what to believe sometimes when it comes to healthy eating, and we thought it would be helpful to provide a short list of foods that aren’t what we’ve been led to believe.
If you can keep one thing uppermost in your mind when buying food, it’s this:
Get rid of processed foods as much as you possibly can. Most healthy foods have fewer than three ingredients, and the more you eat one-ingredient foods, the better. Eat real food as close to its natural state as possible.
Here’s the list of 7 misunderstood foods…
Butter (preferably organic)
The butter vs. margarine debate has been going on for decades, and it’s time to put an end to it. Butter is made by simply churning cream and is a real food, while margarine is manufactured and artificial. If you do eat butter, make it organic, as the cattle have been fed properly and not been injected with growth hormone or antibiotics.
Margarine and other fake fats.
Fabricated in a laboratory, margarine shouldn’t be eaten by anyone. It’s made with low-quality vegetable oils put under high pressure and temperatures and then hydrogenated to be solid at room temperature. There is nothing healthy about it, but butter was villainized for so long that it was easy to convince people to buy margarine.
Eggs
Eggs are one of the healthiest foods you can eat, and they’re full of nutrients and high-quality protein. Most of the nutrition is in the yolk, but because it does have some cholesterol, many people eat egg whites only or have stopped eating eggs altogether. An egg or two a day are good for you, and the nutritional benefits far outweigh the cholesterol (which your body needs also).
Low-fat anything
“Low-fat” foods are one of the worst things you can eat. Your body needs fat, just as it needs protein and other nutrients. Again, fat has been demonized across the board, and the reality is different. Many think they are eating healthy when they eat low-fat, but these foods are loaded with sugar to give them the flavor that’s missing.
Coconut oil
This delicious oil can be used for cooking, to condition your hair and skin, and as a fat source for smoothies and other foods. Coconut oil is a saturated fat, which has caused controversy, but the main fat in coconut oil is lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid or healthy fat. Those who use coconut oil on a regular basis feel and look better than they have in years. Often, they eat a spoonful a day.
Lean meats
There is nothing wrong with lean red meats, especially if they’re organic. If the cows have not been vaccinated and have eaten grass, their meat is full of Omega-3 fatty acids and high-quality protein. If you can, buy your meat at health food stores or go straight to the rancher for the highest quality. Game, including elk and venison, has a delicious flavor and no risk of antibiotics or growth hormone in the meat.
Milk
With the vaccinations dairy cows receive, their milk is not as healthy as it was even 20 years ago. If you can find raw milk from a reputable source, that is ideal, but you have other options: sheep’s or goat’s milk, almond milk, rice milk, and coconut milk. You can easily find ice cream, cheese, and yogurt from healthy sources.
When it comes to eating healthy, do your own research and make your own decisions.
