While cheese and chocolate may seem unhealthy, these "bad foods" actually come with surprising health benefits.
Can Bad Foods Be Good?
According to the New York Post, registered dietitian Lisa Young from New York University notes how people tend to see food as good or bad. Young also authored the book Finally Full, Finally Slim.
She notes, however, that this kind of thinking is not that useful or even healthy. Young expresses that, generally, small quantities of any food are fine.
The New York Post notes how the favorite "bad food" bites of several people are not that bad after all. In fact, these foods are filled with essential nutrients.
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Cheese Is Loaded With Nutrients
Cheese, for instance, fits this case. While the food has a high calorie count, that does not mean that it is unhealthy. According to the Washington Post, cheese is densely packed with nutrients such as phosphorus, calcium, and protein. Lisa Young also notes how cheese could have a healthy role in one's diet. The Washington Post also that how full-fat cheese may not necessarily lead to weight gain or cardiac arrest. Cheese also does not heighten or reduce risks for developing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular illnesses.
Harder types, like cheddar, parmesan, blue, and swiss cheeses, are also healthier compared to softer ones, such as brie. This is because the harder cheeses have higher levels of calcium.
Other than this, old cheese has also been seen to help boost immunity and facilitate digestion.
Cheese consumption has also been linked to reduced risks of developing hypertension or diabetes. A 2020 study showed that taking in two servings of dairy each day reduced diabetes or hypertension risks from 11% up to 24%.
Dark Chocolate Is Rich in Antioxidants
Lisa Young notes how dark chocolate that has 70% or more cocoa is filled with antioxidants. Such antioxidants help slow down or prevent cell damage due to free radicals, which are waste products that are detrimental to health and overall body function.
A 2017 study also revealed that those who consume small quantities of chocolate once a week had lesser likelihoods of getting atrial fibrillation.
Butter Is Good Source of Vitamin A
Young notes that there is hardly any harm in adding one or two tablespoons of butter to one's morning toast. This food can actually help the body make calcium. It is also a good vitamin A source, which is vital for immunity function and skin health. On top of this, butter is also a good source of vitamin E, which is vital for both reproduction and vision.
The New York Post notes that the benefits of butter are more of a quantity issue. Young says that when butter is consumed moderately, it is completely healthy.
Peanut Butter Is Loaded With Polyunsaturated Fat
A purely peanut spread, which is not mixed with sugar, kernel, salt, palm oil, or other additives, is a great healthy snack. Young notes how natural peanut butter is one extremely healthy food, as nuts have high levels of polyunsaturated fat.
The American Heart Association notes that polyunsaturated fat can aid in decreasing levels of bad cholesterol. This, in turn, decreases the risks of getting cardiovascular conditions and stroke.
The New York Post also reports that one scoop of peanut butter is sufficient to suppress and satisfy appetite. It is also quite a balanced source of energy that contains the three macronutrients, namely protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
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