Myth Busters: food edition.

Nutrition is as essential to your gains as weightlifting, some people even think more so. But with fad diets everywhere, and “don’t eat this, eat that” tips flooding the internet and supermarket aisles. How do you get the lowdown on the who’s who of snacking?

While there are definitely things you should never put in your mouth (Doughnuts, I’m looking at you). Many of these foods on the banned list are okay if consumed in moderation or just prepared differently. We’ve comprised 5 foods that are not only not too bad for you, but can actually be healthy for you.

Popcorn

Popcorn is often associated with large amounts of butter. With a large movie theatre popcorn having the serving size of about ten, it’s no wonder this snack is often associated with lethargy and weight gain.

The truth is 3 cups of popcorn contain about 90 calories and 4g of whole grain fiber. Popcorn has one of the highest levels of polyphenols of any plant food – including most fruit! Polyphenols are chemicals found in plants that kill free radicals that damage cells.

Coffee

Along with adding a little pep to your step, coffee is teeming with antioxidants. Research has linked drinking the brewed beverage to a decreased risk of type-2 diabetes and improved mental health as you age.

Peanut Butter

The truth is, not all peanut butters are created equal.  Skippy and other households brands are actually the worst, with most containing sugars and variety of hydrogenated oils, it’s no wonder it has been classed as unhealthy. Like most foods, the shorter the ingredients list the better, with premium peanut butter just containing peanuts and salt Reduced-fat peanut butter may seem like the healthier choice, but the fat is oftentimes replaced with more sugar or preservatives. Everyone’s favorite childhood snack is also packed with proteins and good fats, as well as vitamin E. Keep your intake to about 1 tablespoon portions and enjoy with celery or fruit.

Butter

“I can’t believe it’s not butter”…well it’s not!

While we think we’re doing ourselves a favor by purchasing butter substitutes, those impostors don’t include naturally occurring saturated fats, which are prevalent in natural butter. Go for organic butter from grass fed cows you’ll deliver a blast of healthy dose of linoleic acid, which contains vitamin K2 and Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids to support heart health and weight loss.

White Potatoes

Often demonized for their high starch content, white spuds are no duds (couldn’t resist). Often overshadowed by their more popular cousin the “sweet potato”, white potatoes are jam packed with vitamin C, vitamin B-6, and fiber. A medium tater contains 10% of your iron content, 70% of your vitamin C, and 4 grams of protein with only 160 calories, what’s not to love?

Everything deserves a second chance, even food. Maybe it’s time you took a second look at some of the foods on your naughty list and reconsider. You could be denying yourself a tasty treat and nutritious meal in the process.