Sunday, June 26, 2011

Say What? Junk Food That's Good for You..

Hey Everyone!
So I recently spotted this interesting post on Shape.com & I thought it would be great to share it will all you!
They were talking about "Junk Food That's Good For You", so these are foods that are actually somewhat beneficial to your health, which are usually known as “junk foods.” So the listed foods all have surprise health benefits! 

Here are few of my favorites that I read:
Blue M&Ms: Yes! I was interested in this one because I have NEVER heard it before & found it to be very interesting! Apparently the blue food dye that coats these addicting treats (ingredient also in Gatorade) “could be helpful in reducing damage caused by spine injuries” Also the scientists behind this claim did a study with the blue dye, called Brilliant Blue, and it sped up recovery and ability to walk.  
Butter: Butter has become a bad word for many diet-conscious folks, but it has redeeming qualities. Studies actually show that the fat in butter helps our bodies better absorb vitamins, like vitamins A, D, E, and K. So let this creamy, rich toast-topper back into your life! Opt for whipped butter to save on calories without sacrificing taste.
Hot Sauce: In addition to boosting flavor in everything from eggs to burritos, hot sauce may also help you lose wight. It contains capsaicin, a compound that can curb your appetite by reducing levels of the hunger-causing hormone ghrelin and by raising levels of GLP-1, an appetite-suppressing hormone, according to a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
Red Wine: Most of us know that red wine's good for your heart, but did you know that the alcohol in wine and other boozy beverages is linked with lower levels of belly fat, when consumed in moderation? Researchers at the University of Buffalo found that men who drink a couple of drinks a day have lower levels of abdominal fat than those who down more drinks in one sitting but do so only once or twice every 2 weeks. For the most beneficial varietal, opt for Pinot noir, which contains more disease-fighting antioxidants than any other type of alcoholic beverage.
Popcorn: Though it's low in calories. it's east to imagine that puffy, white popcorn's low in nutrition, as well. However, this movie snack is full of fiber and has high levels of polyphenols, antioxidants that can protect against heart disease and certain cancers.
In fact, research shows that popcorn has the highest polyphenol level of all snack foods.
Coconut: I thought coconut was very healthy for you? What you've heard is true: Coconut contains saturated fat. However, the tropical treat actually appears to have heart-healthy effects, since 50 percent of its saturated-fat content is lauric acid, which boosts good cholesterol levels. Coconut's also a very good source of manganese. Have a small handful of the shredded, unsweetened variety as a snack or use it in baking.
Dark Chocolate: If you choose dark chocolate, you'll be loading up on flavonoids, the heart-healthy compounds also found in red wine and green tea. So go ahead and indulge! A 1.5 ounce dark chocolate bar (the size of a KitKat Bar—all four pieces) will run you about 200 calories; it provides 2 grams of protein, too.
Sour Cream: Savory sour cream is surprisingly low in sodium. And if you want to top your chili or baked potato with a couple of tablespoons of sour cream (yes, we’re talking about the full-fat variety) you’ll add just 52 calories and only around 2 grams of saturated fat—less than you'd get from drinking a 12-ounce glass of 2 percent reduced-fat milk.
Ketchup: Since it's made from cooked tomatoes, ketchup is loaded with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that can lower your risk for cardiovascular disease. While all ketchup is a great source of this super substance, a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that organic ketchup contains up to 60 percent more lycopene per gram than conventional brands.

Be sure to keep in mind that these are all mostly considered "Junk Foods" so eat them in moderation. 
But now when your eating these goodies, you don’t have to think of them as 100% bad for you as they all have little beneficial advantages for your health!



xoxo
Simi

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