Many people decide a food is unhealthy because they heard something about it or it has one thing that they think is bad, and then it made the bad list. Generally, foods can be less healthy because they are prepared in a different way but they are actually fine by themselves. These are a few foods that I’ve heard people say are bad, so I’m here to tell you they usually aren’t all that bad.

Egg Yolks

Why people think egg yolks are bad

Egg yolks contain fat and cholesterol! Oh no.

Why egg yolks are actually healthy

Egg yolk contains many vitamins including vitamins A, D, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, choline, biotin. Don’t worry if you don’t know what all of those do. The point is there’s a lot that you’re missing out if you throw away the yolk. The focus should be giving the body many vitamins rather than being scared of the yolk “fat”. We need fat and cholesterol for our body to work properly, especially from nutritious sources. In addition to vitamins, eggs overall are a good protein source.

Ideas to enjoy egg yolks

• Scrambled eggs with cooked veggies
• Omelet
• Hard boiled eggs
• On top of a stir fry
• In baked goods

White Potatoes

Why people think white potatoes are bad

White potatoes are generally eaten in fried or chip form, which makes them probably no longer a real potato. Think of how you know white potatoes. Potato chips, french fries, tator tots, etc. All of which are mostly fried in vegetable oils.

Why white potatoes are actually healthy

White potatoes are a carbohydrate with some fiber and protein. They also have vitamins C, B6, niacin, folate, potassium, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus. This includes eating the skin as well, which isn’t a requirement but has more nutrients.

Ideas to enjoy white potatoes

• Chopped and cooked with avocado oil
• Mashed with a little butter or milk
• Sliced in fry shape in the air fryer
• Baked potatoes
• Cut up in soups

Chocolate

Why people think chocolate is bad

Chocolate is mostly mixed with milk and sugars to make it sweet. A chocolate bar is a high sugar and calorie food.

Why chocolate can actually be healthy

The chocolate itself is full of antioxidants for fighting damage to cells. It also has minerals such as iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, and phosphorus. I’m talking about dark chocolate here. If you don’t like dark chocolate, slowly work your way there. Buy a higher percentage of dark each time and you find you’ll eat less of it.

Ideas to enjoy chocolate

• Some pieces of a plain dark chocolate bar
• Melted dark chocolate drizzled on fruit
• Melted as a dip for anything
• Dark chocolate chip form in muffins or healthy cookies

Popcorn

Why people think popcorn is unhealthy

Popcorn gets a bad name since it tends to be covered with artificial butter and salt. It is consumed by the bucket loads at the movie theater. Oftentimes it is covered with caramelly syrups. This makes for extra processed food.

Why popcorn can actually be healthy

I wouldn’t recommend you eat the microwaveable bags of popcorn as there’s lots of extra unnecessary ingredients in there. But popcorn itself is just corn. Popcorn is a whole grain. It is high in fiber and has some protein among some vitamins and minerals. I would say fiber alone is a big plus since a lot of folks don’t get their daily fiber needs.

Ideas to enjoy popcorn

• Stove top popped using coconut oil, sprinkle seasoned salt
• Prepackaged bag with no added preservatives
• Air popped
• Paper bag microwave popcorn

Coffee

Why people think coffee is unhealthy

Coffee from Starbucks has loads of syrups and sugars. The benefits may be outweighed if it’s always enjoyed as a treat. Coffee also has caffeine, which causes issues for some folks.

Why coffee is actually healthy

Coffee has been shown to have so many health benefits. It has been shown to decrease likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, weight gain, lower risk of death from disease.

Ideas to enjoy coffee

• Black (high quality coffee like Trade so it tastes good on its own)
• Or with a little added milk and honey
• Iced coffee with a drizzle of maple syrup and milk
• Made at home most importantly
• In a smoothie

Fat

I had to add fat in here again because it’s still getting a bad rap. I already wrote about fat before in Fat Doesn’t Make You Fat.

Why people think fat is unhealthy

Because fat must make you fat, right? This is a difficult concept for many to move past, especially those from the 80s and 90s where that was a popular idea.

Why fat is actually healthy

Fat is one of the three macronutrients, and fat and protein are needed to make your body work properly (carbohydrates are not essential from a survival standpoint). Fat helps the body absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K among many other body functions for energy and hormone production.

Ideas to enjoy fat

• Avocados or guacamole
• Nut butters
• A handful of nuts
• Olive oil with cooking and salad dressings
• Avocado oil for cooking
• Coconut oil in baked goods
• olives
• eggs

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Fresh Ideas: Before you decide a food is “bad”, maybe the way it’s being prepared is actually bad.