Blog
Indulge Yourself! Why Your Favorite Food Isn't Actually Bad For You
This time of year, we’re all starting to think about indulging ourselves over the festive period. It’s an incredible time of year for anyone who enjoys food (unless you’re the one doing all the cooking, in which case it’s a little stressful too!) but it can also be a little stressful because of the health implications of delicious food. Here are some tips on why you should enjoy your favorite foods over Christmas – and all year round! – without feeling guilty…
Coffee
There’s nothing like your first cup of coffee to kick start the day. Not only does it give you energy, but it’s also not as bad for you as many would lead you to believe. Although you shouldn’t drink too much of it, coffee drinkers between 51 and 70 are less likely to die from diabetes or heart disease than non coffee drinkers. Check out http://withmywine.com/health-benefits-of-coffee-and-wine/ to find out more about why an espresso every morning won’t do you any harm.
Red Wine
Image source
The myth that red wine can help you live longer is, in fact, not a myth! A glass of red wine every day – everything in moderation, of course – can help to prevent you from gaining weight, and its antioxidants also help to prevent you from showing the signs of ageing in your skin. People who drink red wine are more likely to keep their minds sharp into old age, and it can also protect you from getting cancer.
Chocolate
Image source
Dark chocolate isn’t as bad for you as many people may claim! If you make sure you’re eating dark chocolate instead of a normal chocolate bar full of additives, chocolate can help to reduce your cholesterol, leaving you with less risk of heart attacks and strokes. It’s also a great source of antioxidants and can help you improve your cognitive function.
Popcorn
Image source
You might have noticed that a lot of coffee shops have started to stock bags of popcorn alongside bags of potato chips. Maybe you think that popcorn is actually pretty unhealthy because of the buttery containers of it that you get while you’re watching movies – but unbuttered plain popcorn is actually a very healthy snack. It contains whole grains and antioxidants, and can prevent against cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.
Avocadoes
Image source
Avocadoes are a great example of a food that’s high in fat but that is still good for you. In fact, they contain healthy fats, high density lipoproteins, which can help to reduce your cholesterol. Avocadoes have been gaining in popularity over the last couple of years; if you want a healthy breakfast, mash up an avocado with a spritz of lime juice and a little chilli and serve it on wholegrain toast with a poached egg on top. Delicious and nutritious.
Potatoes
Image source
Potatoes get an incredibly bad rap. Starchy and full of carbohydrates, they’re often on the list of no-go foods for anyone who’s trying to lose weight. But potatoes contain iron, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, calcium and zinc – and they also contain quercetin, which has anti inflammatory properties and help protect the cells.
Garlic
Garlic is packed full with nutrients, including manganese, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, and is known to be able to combat the common cold – which is something that might be really bothering you this time of year! Garlic can also reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, which means you’re a lot less likely to get heart disease. Its only real downside is the garlicky tinge it leaves on your breath – just make sure that your date eats as much garlic as you do and you’ll be fine!
Cheese
Image source
Many people love to indulge in a great cheese board over Christmas – in fact, for many of us it’s our preferred option over the sweet desserts! But cheese is often thought of as being not particularly good for you because of its fat content. However, it also contains a huge amount of protein and calcium along with vitamin A and vitamin B12, along with healthy fats that may help to fight cancer. Indulge in that chunk of Brie guilt free this Christmas!
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a staple of many kids’ diets – it’s one of the best sandwich fillings and of course, it’s pretty darn tasty too. But it’s something that often falls out of vogue with people as they get older. However, you should keep on eating it – it contains potassium, which lowers the risk of high blood pressure and strokes, along with helping to prevent gallstones. It’s also been shown that people who eat peanut butter have a smaller risk of developing cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s. Peanut butter also contains plenty of healthy fats and fibre.
Photo Gallery
Comments