Earlier this year, we saw our own lists of both the worst foods you can eat and the best foods you can eat, and now Forbes is taking a turn with their list of surprisingly healthy foods. Their list is based on the theory that most people still associate healthy foods with things that don't taste good, and while it is true that eating a giant bowl of undressed, unseasoned lettuce is boring, that doesn't mean that there are no foods that both taste good and can be good for you. If you're already into healthy eating, this might not be a complete news flash, but a reminder to keep us on track - especially with the holidays coming up - never hurts. Don't go overboard on any of these, but don't feel guilty for enjoying them, either:
- Chocolate - both milk and dark chocolates have been shown to have health benefits when eaten in moderation.
- Vegetable oil - low in saturated fats and high in vitamin E, which is good for the skin and can help protect against heart disease. The recommended maximum is only a few teaspoons each day.
- Potatoes - they are versatile and one of the foods richest in antioxidants. Frying can cancel out some of the benefits, so try baking them.
- Nuts and nut butters - high in monounsaturated fat and protein. They are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and are very filling.
- Coffee - it may help the liver, increase brain function and has been linked to a decrease in the risk of type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Use skim milk , rather than cream.
- Bruschetta - tomatoes, onions, garlic and olive oil, often with a touch of Parmesan, it is a snack that has the benefits of oil (see above) and a lot of lycopene, an antioxidant that has been linked to a decreased risk of heart disease.
- Spices - in large amounts, some have been shown to have healthy benefits, but in general it is hard to argue with anything that makes food taste better without adding fat or calories.
- Tea - both green and black tea can have healthy benefits as long as you aren't loading them up with sugar.
- Soups - vegetable and broth-based soups can pack a lot of nutrients into one serving with relatively few calories. Avoid cream soups, though, as they can be very high in fat and calories.
11-09-2006 @10:21AM Matt said... In reality, most things natural short of butter, lard, and other pure animal fats have nutritional value and health benefits. The key, as mentioned in the post, is to eat variety and eat things in moderation. Chocolate is minimally processed as is coffee and tea, so of course they have health benefits. Really anything that is natural is there for a reason and provides us some sort of benefit.
Reply
11-09-2006 @10:40AM 3dogs said... How much cream in the coffee? How are the potatoes prepared, deep fried or microwaved. Snickers or Scharffenberger? It makes a difference.
Reply
11-09-2006 @11:26AM ann said... by the way, it's Forbes.com's list, not Forbes Magazine
Reply
11-09-2006 @12:11PM Cary said... Are you kidding me? Where are the surprises? Anyone even nominally up-to-date, as I assume Forbes readers are, would not be surprised by this non-news. This is the type of blurb I would expect in our new and improved Dayton (Dumber)Daily News, not from Forbes!
Reply
11-09-2006 @6:46PM RobynT said... Do the potatoes have to be eaten with the skin? My parents always told me that was the most healthy part...
And does regular old peanut butter count? Or does it have to be one of those "natural" ones?
Reply
11-09-2006 @11:24PM scientistgirl said... Two of their surprisingly healthy suggestions aren't as good as they say:
1. Purple skinned potatoes are recommended by Forbes for their antioxidants (caroteniods in the flesh and anthocyanin in the skin); potatoes are high GI and don't contain much fiber; most vegetables (kale, carrots, spinach etc.) have more carotenoids and less carbohydrates than potatoes.
2. Bruschetta is recommended as a snack since it includes vegetable oil and tomatoes; tomatoes contain the beneficial antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene is only really abundant in cooked tomatoes, grilled tomatoes with pasta or as a salad would both provide more lycopene than bruschetta made with fresh tomatoes.
Reply