There are some foods out there that get an undeserved bad rap. They’re delicious, satisfying, and—most important—good for you. The problem isn’t, a lot of people aren’t getting them in the right form. They may even be avoiding these foods completely.
INH Research
Here are the top five shunned foods that you SHOULD be eating.
1. Butter: There has been a war on fats in the U.S. for decades now. And there has been no greater “enemy” than butter. Just look at how many chemical-filled butter substitutes you’ll find at your local grocer. But the problem isn’t butter per se. The problem is that most butter comes from sick, grain-fed cows. Then there’s the fake salt they put in most salted butter. But switching to grass-fed butter can make a big difference when it comes to your health. It gives you high doses of natural vitamins A, D, E, and K2.
This form—the real one—of butter fights inflammation and protects against heart disease. It may even help you avoid cancer.1 You can find grass-fed, unsalted butter in most health food stores. Some high-end grocers carry it too. Try adding your own natural sea salt for taste and trace minerals.
2. Chocolate: It’s no secret that we love it. In fact, we recommend you eat a serving of chocolate every day… Just not the kind waiting for you at the grocery store checkout line. These are full of high-fructose corn syrup and preservatives. We’re talking about real chocolate. It fights inflammation, lowers stress, and boosts cognitive function. But don’t expect these results if you aren’t eating the right form of it.
Look for dark, organic chocolate bars. The higher the percent of cocoa, the greater the health benefits in each bite. Aim for at least 70%. But be careful: Anything above 70% gets pretty bitter. Start low and work your way up. You can find a good variety in most health food stores and online.
3. Coffee: Coffee is one of the oldest—and most beloved—beverages on the planet. But a lot of people stay away from it. Frankly, we don’t get it. The truth is coffee helps preserve your vision. Drinking it even helps protect your hearing. Coffee may even keep your memory sharp. But not the syrup-infused, overly-sweetened stuff on the menu at most coffee places. We’re talking about real, organic coffee.
Drinking up to three cups of it each day will provide you with these health benefits—and a steady dose of antioxidant power. You can find single source, organic coffee in most food stores. Buying online will give you even more varieties to choose from.
4. Red Meat: Just like butter, this notorious food is seen as decadent—even deadly. But Health Watch readers know that it’s processed meats that are dangerous. In fact, grass-fed organic beef is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. It’s free of the grain, steroids, and antibiotic drugs that make grain-fed beef unsafe to eat. This kind of beef is also higher in B vitamins, calcium, and essential fatty acids.
And you can’t forget that it’s a complete protein. It gives your body the amino acids it needs to keep muscles strong and supported. Eating the right kind of beef may even help save your heart. You can find it in most health food stores. Just make sure it’s grass-fed and finished. Your butcher can help you if you aren’t sure.
5. Eggs: Eggs are one of the best sources of protein. They provide you with leucine. It’s an essential amino acid you need to regulate blood sugar and build muscle. It may even help you lose body fat. The problem is people think the yolk isn’t good for you. But the fact is that about half of the protein—plus all of the vitamins and minerals—are in the yolk. It provides vitamins A, B6, B12, D, E, and K.
It’s also where you’ll get calcium, folate, iron, and zinc. In other words, don’t skip the yolk. Make sure your eggs are pastured and fresh. Some health food stores carry local eggs. You should also be able to find them at farmer’s markets and even nearby farms. Just skip the gross egg substitutes that offer next to zero health benefit.
You may be avoiding them… But don’t believe everything you’ve heard about these foods. Eating them in the right form can give you major health benefits that their mainstream versions can’t. In fact, if you can’t find these foods in their ideal forms, your best bet is to limit how often you eat them—not eliminate them entirely.
References:
1http://www.bulletproofexec.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Butter-Infographic1.jpg
https://www.institutefornaturalhealing.com/2014/09/five-shunned-foods-you-should-be-eating/
