Several foods considered taboo for healthy eating plans are actually packed with nutrients and are foods you really should be eating
Taboo foods are often associated with different cultures or religions. Health professionals and some online sources sometimes advise against eating certain foods because of alleged unhealthy consequences. However, several taboo foods are quite healthy and offer a wide range of nutritional benefits.
Find out why you should include these taboo foods in your diet.
Whole Eggs
Perhaps you tried a fast-food egg white breakfast sandwich or prepared an egg white omelet because of sources touting the benefits of eating egg whites. Consider these healthy benefits of whole eggs instead.
Shape calls egg yolks a “Nutrition powerhouse,” citing anti-inflammatory properties important for proper neurological function as well as ingredients in egg yolks that help protect against vision loss. Eggs provide other essential nutrients from the yolk, including high amounts of B vitamins, calcium and iron.
Nuts
Nuts contain more fat and calories than some other foods. Yet they also contain many health benefits that should take nuts off your taboo foods list.
Walnuts pack a powerful punch for your heart health, providing alpha linoleic acid (ALA), possibly lowering risk of heart arrhythmia, with researchers from one study also concluding that walnuts potentially reduce inflammation of the arteries, explains Huffington Post.
Almonds have anti-inflammatory properties, contain more calcium than other nuts and are low in calories. They also contain antioxidants and fiber.
When you include nuts in your diet, portion control is important as is avoiding packaged nuts coated in chocolate, salt, sugar or other added ingredients.
Peanut Butter
Have you converted to the low-fat jar of peanut butter, assuming it is healthier? This is one food that demonstrates the importance of reading labels. Low-fat peanut butter actually contains a higher amount of sugar, compared to regular peanut butter.
Enjoy regular peanut butter to reap the rewards of this oft-taboo food, such as high protein, B vitamins, vitamin E, antioxidants and healthy fats. Yes, that is right – the fats in peanut butter are healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils.
Cow’s Milk
Cow’s milk gets a bad rap, with some sources claiming that coconut milk, almond milk and other milk options provide better health benefits, compared to cow’s milk. The reason to keep cow’s milk off your taboo list is the fact that a one-cup serving of cow’s milk provides 8 grams of protein, while coconut, almond, rice and other types of milk provide just 1 gram protein.
You also get one-third of the required amount of Vitamin D and calcium when you consume a cup of cow’s milk.
Organ Meats
Many people likely incorrectly assume that eating organ meats is taboo in a healthy diet. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Organ meats are very nutritious, providing a variety of health benefits.
While you may not agree with or care to discover more about the legend that eating certain animal organs provides you with the attributes of that animal, organ meat from animals provides outstanding nutrition and health benefits.
Liver provides an abundance of Vitamin A. Although beef liver provides a greater amount of Vitamin A than chicken liver, eating chicken liver and liver from other animals, such as sheep liver, also boosts Vitamin A intake. Liver also is rich in iron, vitamin B and Vitamin D.
A single serving of kidney contains just over 100 calories, is an excellent source of protein and is low in fat. Like liver, kidney also provides vitamin A, vitamin B and iron.
Explore eating different types of organ meats as healthy sources of several vitamins and other important nutrients.
Avocados
Some sources classify avocados as taboo because of the high fat content. What you may not realize is that like peanut butter, the fats in avocados are healthy fats.
They contain healthy omega 3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats, known for heart health benefits and cholesterol-lowering properties. Avocados are also a good source of protein and are very versatile in healthy eating menus.
Canned Tomatoes
You do not have to suffer from not having tomatoes when they are out of season. Eating canned tomatoes provides the healthy nutrients found in fresh tomatoes and still provide cardiovascular benefits.
Purchase low sodium canned tomatoes to avoid added salt, enabling you to take canned tomatoes off your taboo list.
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