You know foods like fresh vegetables, yogurt, and grilled chicken are good for you. You know foods like salty chips, soda, and fudge brownies aren’t as great. But do you know which foods are only good in small quantities?
We tend to take something and run with it – once we hear food is good, we eat as much of it as we want. While these foods usually do have (at least some of) the nutritional benefits you’ve heard/read about, too much of them can cause the same (or similar) health problems as the “unhealthy” ones do, according to Greatist.
These only-healthy-in-moderation foods include:
- Red wine “Red wine has antioxidants that protect you against heart disease, cancer, Type 2 Diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Sounds, great, right? The problem is that these benefits have been linked to one glass. One glass does not mean half the bottle or even a quarter of the bottle. If you’re a woman, stick to five ounces per day, and if you’re a man, you’re allowed ten ounces. This amount will give you the antioxidant boost you want without increasing your risk of raising your blood pressure or liver, breast, or colon cancer.
- Coconut oil “A newer alternative to vegetable and olive oil, coconut oil supposedly reduces body fat, and, according to a recent study, may also help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Coconut oil is still fat, though, and contains a lot of calories. Stick to one tablespoon per day to keep this food healthy.
- Avocado “The “good fat,” as it’s known, contains fiber and helps keep you full. While delicious, avocado should be used sparingly like mayo or cheese to add flavor.
- Dark chocolate “To be clear, only dark chocolate contains antioxidants and the power to improve heart health (not any type of chocolate). The downside to this food? Dark chocolate is full of calories. One serving is about 160 empty calories. If you’re reaching for a snack, yogurt, or veggies dipped in hummus pack a much better nutritional punch for your caloric intake.
- Lean, grass-fed beef “While most meats are a good source of protein and iron, lean, grass-fed beef is high in fat and linked to an increased risk of colon cancer. If you stick to the appropriate portion size and only indulge two to three times a week, you can still reap all of its benefits.
Before hopping on a health food bandwagon, make sure you do your research. Pop culture would have us believe that coconut oil and avocados are the answer to all life’s questions. While these foods are delicious and may be better than some of their alternatives, they should still be enjoyed in moderation.
