The logic behind right or wrong and good or bad have always changed with times. When tracing back the logic behind good and bad foods, one is astonished to find the transition that has taken place. Not in the food, but in the minds of the people. People initially classified good and bad food based on its freshness and rotten foods were considered bad. Later, foods were classified based on their taste and then followed by their effect on health. Any food that caused either irritation of bowels or worsened joint pain or worsened symptoms of cold or flu was considered bad for that ailment or that individual. This sounds logical enough. This classification has now undergone a sea change. Poor innocent fruits, veggies, breads and even dairy products are being classified into bad, as they pack in more calories and tend to obstruct the process of weight loss.
Those high calorie foods, in fact have a variety of nutrients hidden in them, which help sustain good health and vigor. Many nutrient rich and praise worthy foods have been defamed by fad diets. These natural foods have been replaced by artificial and manipulated low calorie packed food or dubious nutrient value. In this article, we shall unravel the myth behind bad foods by considering some examples.
Red meat –these contain far more protein in relation to their fat content, especially, the lean ones. Their iron content is incomparable to many other low calorie options. It is also rich in vitamin B12, which is one of the rare but essential vitamins.
Peanut butter – it is usually ignored as a high fat food. A tablespoon of peanut butter carries 90 calories of energy and this amount is sufficient to satiate anyone’s craving. It is also rich in vitamin E (which keeps you looking young), niacin, folic acid and magnesium (which help in normal nerve function).
Eggs – not long ago, moms fed young ones eggs daily. But, now these have become bad, especially the yolks. Egg is the best protein source ever. It is a bio- protein, which is best suited to the human digestive system. The egg white contains 16 calories and the whole egg contains less than 65 calories. A 5 minute walk on treadmill can burn an egg and you can get its benefits too.
Pizza – I agree that pizza is junk. Have you heard of the healthy pizza? Replace the regular base with a whole wheat or multi-grain stuff and add loads of veggies on top with olive oil and some seasoning to your taste and you can add a little cheese or mozzarella too. Believe me cheese is not that bad when consumed in moderation.
Cheese – cheese is a rich source of protein, calcium and phosphorus. It increases salivation and protects teeth from decay and also conserves the tooth enamel. So say cheese!
Nuts – high protein and not so high calorie snack, when consumed in moderation. You can trade in the calories for loads of anti-oxidants and good fats for that healthy heart and glowing skin. Almonds are one of the best among the nuts and are of moderate calorific value.
Glutens – running off those breads made of wheat, rye and barley? Unless you are allergic to them, you can consume them to your fill. Remember, they are unrefined and low on the glycemic index too and are the recommended options for diabetics. A high fiber and unrefined diet is the secret for longevity.
Avocado – this creamy high fat fruit has always been looked with contempt. Avocadoes contain almost all the vitamins and have loads and loads of good fats. They are rich in anti-oxidants too. An avocado milk shake is a meal in its own.
Dried fruits – those ones with added sugars are the real culprit. Dried fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, when they are not manipulated with oil or added sugar or flavors.
The oils – the subject of fats and oils has always been a controversial one. With every new discovery, people’s acceptance of oils got affected. Those oils and fats, which were used by ancestors came into the scanner. Coconut oil, butter, palm oil, extra virgin olive oil and animal lard were all discarded and processed and manipulated oils like canola oil, hydrogenated oils and artificial butter sprays have been brought in to usage. It has been found that the new age zero calorie butter or oil sprays, hardly had any natural butter or oil in them. Agreed…traditional oils and butter have saturated fat in them, but saturated fats are not that bad after all. They form the structure of brain and cell membranes. So, we need a small amount of saturated fats too.
The truth for wellness is always hidden in nature and is found in right proportions too. Do not manipulate with things or try to alter the proportion of nutrients in them. The supposedly high calorie foods may have some valuable nutrients hidden in them. If you can’t burn the calories, it is better to limit the quantity, rather than avoiding the food altogether or consuming artificial or manipulated food instead.
