New Nutrition: 15 Foods OK to Eat!
There are two kinds of fat: good (monounsaturated) and bad (polyunsaturated). Avocados are full of the good kind. So feel free to indulge. Try avocado in place of butter on toast. Two tablespoons of avocado has 50 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. The same amount of butter has 204 calories and 23 grams of fat. Pile on the veggies and meat and you'll fall in love. Or, just toss a few slices of avocado into a salad for a filling meal.
Red Meat has had a bad rap for a long time. But it does have a place in your diet. Red meat is full of things that are great for your health like vitamin B-12, zinc, iron, and protein. The key is to choose lean meats and quality cuts. Top sirloins, bottom round, tenderloin and flank steak are all great low-fat options. Avoid fattier meats like beef brisket which has 16 grams of fat in a 3 oz. serving.
The quality of the meat is important too. Grass-fed red meat has less saturated fat and more Omega-3's. Be sure to read labels and know what you're getting.
The Atkins diet had a lot to do with this one. Fruit is full of sugar and carbs, but skipping out on it can be bad for you. You need at least a serving of fruit a day to keep the doctor away. Fruit is full of essential vitamins and minerals. These work to keep your body healthy and your mind sharp. And fruit isn't just for breakfast. Try strawberry slices on a salad topped with oil and balsamic vinegar.
Chocolate is bad? Wrong. Chocolate has a well-deserved place in every diet. It's full of disease-fighting chemicals called flavonols. Flavonols lower your blood pressure, slim your waistline and help regulate your blood sugar. The key is to eat good chocolate. Look for dark chocolate that is at least 60% cocoa. These percentages are printed right on the wrapper. And an ounce of the good stuff has only 170 calories. Don't be afraid to keep a bar around for a quick, sweet snack.
Sure, have fat, but they're full of the best fat around. The monounsaturated fat in nuts is healthier than the kind you'll find in meat or dairy. For a healthy diet, swap the meat protein in your meal for nuts a few times a week. Cashews are great in stir fries. Salads are more filling when topped with a handful of pecans. Or, add pistachios to your favourite morning muffin recipe. But before you chow down, get out a measuring cup. Nuts pack a lot of good fat in small quantities. Make sure you know just how many calories and how much fat you're eating before you add them to your meal.
Dieters often look down on salmon because it's a fatty fish. But it's also full of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your heart. It also protects against memory loss and premature brain ageing. The best salmon is wild salmon. Look for fresh fillets in your grocer's butcher section. A 3oz. serving of this good stuff has just 155 calories.Â
Grill it fresh with a little soy sauce, garlic and a squirt of lemon. If you have leftovers, pop them in the fridge. Cold salmon makes a great, healthy salad topper.
Olive oil is actually pretty great for you. The fat that it's full of, is called monounsaturated fatty acid, or MUFA. MUFA is essential to keeping your body running smoothly. This good fat lowers the cholesterol that would otherwise clog your arteries. It also controls your blood sugar. This extra control prevents hunger spikes after a meal. It can also help people with Type 2 Diabetes avoid blood sugar lows and highs. And because it's so nutritious, a little dab will do just fine. Around a tablespoon a day is all you need to get all the health benefits you need.
Sure, fried food has more calories. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. Healthy foods fried in healthy oil get an added nutritional boost. Try frying in avocado or coconut oil. It's full of vitamins and minerals, it also gives your food a sweet, rich flavour. What you fry is just as important as what you fry it in. The next time you crave a fried snack, skip the French fries. Instead, cut avocado slices, carrots, aubergine or courgettes into sticks. Coat them with bread crumbs and fry them for a healthy alternative.
Alcohol isn't always bad. In fact, in moderation it's positively good for you. A daily glass of your favourite alcoholic beverage raises good cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease.Â
The key is moderation. One drink a day for women and two for men is all you need. And it's a great way to wind down from a hard day at work. Drink more than that and the consequences start to outweigh the benefits. Alcoholism, liver damage, and impaired judgement are just a few of the consequences of drinking way too much.
You can eat gluten again. For years, bread has been labelled as the culprit for weight gain and a host of other diseases. But healthy gluten and wheat are actually great for you. Look for whole wheat, rye, or barley bread or pasta. They have compounds that reduce your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity. Fresh bread from your kitchen or an organic bakery is best. Whatever you do, stay away from the white stuff. Processed white bread has high fructose corn syrup and preservatives that aren't great for your body.
For years we were told to stay away from eggs. But new research proves that an egg a day isn't enough to raise your cholesterol levels. Plus, these tasty treats are high in protein, unsaturated fat, and just about every vitamin and mineral out there. In fact, they're a great way to start your day. Eggs aren't just for breakfast. Hard boil one and pack it in your bag for a healthy snack. Just remember that free range and organic eggs are best. These eggs are from chickens raised on the good stuff that will keep you healthy.
Not all pizza is created equal. And not all pizza is bad. Make healthy ingredient choices and you can feel free to chow down.Â
Now top your pizza with creative, healthy options. Try grilled pineapple, chicken or veggies you don't normally eat. If you're watching your calories, consider making your own. You'll have the most control over your ingredient options.
When people found out about the added sugar and fat found in some brands of dried fruit, they swore it off forever. But natural dried fruit is a great way to get your daily dose of several important vitamins and minerals. The key is to buy the right kind of dried fruit. Read the ingredients label. The only thing listed there should be fruit. You may have to head to the health food store to find the good kind.Â
If that's not an option, consider a food dehydrator. You can slice and dry your own fruit for a healthy home made snack.
The Atkins phase is officially over. We now know that carbs like potatoes have a lot to offer. They have tons of vitamin C, B-6, folate and fibre which are all great for you. The key is how you cook them. Stick to baking, roasting and grilling. And leave the skin right where it is: it's the healthiest part. But, as with everything, moderation is the key. Limit your intake to no more than one potato a day and you'll be fine.