The Big Nutrition Myth

Life moves in circles. There is nothing permanent. What is bad today may not be the same tomorrow. As they say, every saint has a past and every sinner a future. The foods that have a tainted image are not that bad after all. My Health Guardian does a profile of the “so called” diet sinners.

Chocolates. This melt in mouth confection came across as a guilty sin. What metamorphosed chocolates from a guilty sin to a superfood? The answer lies in cocoa, a potent antioxidant which fights free radicals. Chocolates, particularly dark ones up your moods, is good for your heart if eaten in moderation. While it is high in fat, research has shown that stearic acid, the main fat in chocolate, does not raise cholesterol. If you reach for chocolate when you’re feeling down, you’re on the right track: Chocolate increases serotonin in the brain, which means it’s a mood booster. Not to forget the luxuriating facials and spa treatments done with chocolate. Needless, to say the richness of chocolates enriches us all.

Coffee. No doubts, coffee perks up our moods, and helps us stay awake. Still for long we had this beloved beverage with some guilt. Not any more going by the latest research studies. Coffee could lower your risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and colon cancer and dental cavities. It could lift your mood and treat headaches too.

Cheese. Yes, many cheeses are high in fat and calories, but they’re also good sources of calcium. Plus, cheese contains conjugated linoleic acid, a “good” fat that may reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. And this acid may help you lose weight by blocking the storage of fat in your body.

Eggs. No food has witnessed as many twists and turns as egg. There was a time when eggs were indispensable part of any nutrition plan and for good reasons. They are packed with proteins, vitamins, minerals, as well choline—a necessary nutrient for healthy nerve transmission. Then came the fall from the grace because of the ugly word cholesterol. No doubts eggs are rich in cholesterol but for healthy people like us an egg a day does not impact our cholesterol profile or increase risk of heart disease. As the common sense would say boiled egg is a better option than a fried one.

Potato. With the low-carb craze sweeping everyone potato has become enemy No. 1 without being at fault. Potatoes are fat free, cholesterol free, sodium free and saturated fat free. Potatoes are not fattening. Rather, our cooking technique makes them. Potato retains maximum nutrients near its skin, when cooking this spud try to retain as much skin as possible. For keeping your colon healthy include this fibre rich spud in your diet. Not many know potatoes pulsate with vitamin A, B and C and are rich in iron and potassium too. Incidentally, potassium is nature’s unsalt and is needed to keep high blood pressure down.

Red meat. Red meat is a victim of bad press. In moderation red meat bursts with the preciousness of proteins, magic of minerals and vitality of vitamins especially B12 which is required for maintaining the integrity of nerve fibers, not to discount the taste factor.

Peanut Butter. Peanut butter may contain lots of fat, but not all fats are bad for you. Peanut butter has mono-unsaturated, which can reduce bad cholesterol. The serving size for peanut butter is about two tablespoons. Peanut butter is also packed with Vitamin E and it makes you feel full so you don’t want to eat as much.

Beer. Beer belly normally goes against beer. Sensibly glugged it helps reduce your chances of strokes, heart and vascular disease. Studies have revealed that beer can produce the same benefits as drinking wine

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