Turns out that guilty pleasure may be a virtuous vice.<\/p>\n
We tend to categorize food in black-and-white terms \u2014 \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cbad\u201d for you, \u201cnaughty\u201d or \u201cnice.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are \u201chealthy\u201d staples, like fruits, vegetables and fish that provide essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. A steady diet of these foods can lower the risk of chronic illnesses.<\/p>\n
Then there is the \u201cunhealthy\u201d fare \u2014 think high-calorie, ultra-processed foods<\/a> \u2014 that can increase the risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer and even premature death.<\/p>\n Decisions! Decisions! Sometimes it can be hard to discern a \u201chealthy\u201d food from an \u201cunhealthy\u201d food, thanks to sneaky marketing claims on packaging. alvaro \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n There\u2019s actually a lot of gray between those two categories. Some foods deemed \u201chealthy\u201d may have stealthy shortcomings.<\/p>\n These so-called \u201chealth halos\u201d<\/a> include sugary granola bars and caloric bran muffins. Conversely, there are \u201cunhealthy\u201d foods that actually offer some nutritional value.<\/p>\n Kacey Morrow, a registered dietitian nutritionist and clinical operations lead at WellTheory<\/a>, opines on six foods with hidden health benefits.<\/p>\n Potatoes<\/p>\n Potatoes are agi-taters for sure.<\/p>\n They\u2019ve earned a bad rap<\/a> because of their high carbohydrate content and high glycemic index, which means they can easily spike blood sugar.<\/p>\n Plus, people love to deep fry their spuds and\/or coat \u2019em in butter, cheese and bacon bits.<\/p>\n Potatoes can actually be pretty good for you if you stay away from caloric toppings. Nexa \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n Morrow defended potatoes as \u201csurprisingly nutrient-dense,\u201d noting they \u201ccontain more potassium than a banana<\/a>, along with vitamin C and fiber, especially if you eat the skin.\u201d<\/p>\n She told The Post: \u201cThey\u2019re also naturally fat-free and very filling, which can help with appetite control when prepared simply, like baked or roasted, instead of fried.\u201d<\/p>\n Pasta<\/p>\n Pasta has long been<\/a> the fresh face of the anti-carb craze. It\u2019s known as the ultimate diet derailer because it\u2019s high in refined carbohydrates, and farfalphiles tend to overeat.<\/p>\n Morrow assured that \u201cpasta can definitely fit into a healthy diet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cChoose whole-grain varieties that deliver fiber, B vitamins and sustained energy,\u201d she added. \u201cSince it\u2019s a complex carbohydrate, pasta helps fuel your brain and muscles, and when paired with protein and vegetables, it becomes a balanced, satisfying meal.\u201d<\/p>\n Cheese<\/p>\n You feta believe that cheese is divisive<\/a>.<\/p>\n Critics say that cheese is unhealthy because it\u2019s often high in saturated fat and sodium, which can raise blood pressure and LDL \u201cbad\u201d cholesterol.<\/p>\n But cheese is also a concentrated source of calcium and protein, which supports bone health and muscle maintenance.<\/p>\n \u201cIt also contains beneficial nutrients like vitamin B12 and, in some varieties, probiotics that can support gut health,\u201d Morrow said. \u201cJust be mindful of portion sizes.\u201d<\/p>\n Red wine<\/p>\n It seems like at least once a month, there\u2019s a new study that finds that red wine is good for you<\/a>. No, it\u2019s bad<\/a>. Good<\/a>! Bad<\/a>!<\/p>\n You can cheers to red wine being sort of good for you. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n Alcohol is a known health risk<\/a> \u2014 but red wine contains the antioxidant resveratrol that is said to offer heart-healthy benefits like reduced inflammation and improved blood flow.<\/p>\n Morrow is OK with red wine in moderation, but notes there are better sources of resveratrol<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cTangerines, sweet potatoes, oranges and red grapes all contain even higher levels of resveratrol, making them excellent alternatives for those avoiding wine,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Popcorn<\/p>\n The movie theater staple is at its most decadent when it\u2019s dripping in butter and salt and served in a collectible bucket<\/a>. However, there are healthier (and cheaper!) ways to consume it.<\/p>\n \u201cPopcorn is a whole grain, which means it naturally provides fiber that supports digestion and helps you feel full,\u201d Morrow said.<\/p>\n \u201cAir-popped popcorn is low in calories and can be a nutrient-dense snack (as long as you go easy on added butter, salt and sugary toppings).\u201d<\/p>\n Dark chocolate<\/p>\n Not all chocolate is created equal.<\/p>\n Milk chocolate is high in sugar and fat and generally less nutritious than dark chocolate because it has less cocoa.<\/p>\n