Fitness Nutrition Forums

5 Foods That Are Surprisingly Healthy

Who knew!?

We all know that leafy greens and eggs are good for us, but what about chocolate, fatty fish and nuts? Below are five foods that are actually surprisingly healthy—despite popular belief.

Chocolate: When most of us think of chocolate we think that it's a treat only to be eaten on the rare occasion, and that's true of most chocolates, but not of dark chocolate. Actually, if eaten in small quantities dark chocolate is filled with health benefits, including reducing high blood pressure, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing the risk of diabetes.

Fatty fish: Most people believe that eating fats are bad for you, but this is not the case. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna and sardines are packed with omega-3 fatty acids which can be beneficial to the body in a number of different ways, including lowering the risks of cholesterol and preventing heart disease.

Coffee: Too much caffeine is never good, but in moderation coffee can actually benefit your health. Not only does it make you more alert, but according to Cooking Light, coffee can also reduce the risks of developing Parkinson's disease and colon cancer, as well as diabetes.

Nuts: Nuts may be calorie dense, but they're filled with vitamins and minerals. Ounce for ounce some of the healthiest nut choices (if you're concerned with diet) are pistachios, cashews and almonds. Plus, nuts can reportedly help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Popcorn: Popcorn is surprisingly not that bad for you, even though it's developed a bit of a reputation suggesting otherwise. According to Bustle, Jennifer Glockner, RDN, told them that despite popcorns bad reputation it's actually a smart snack choice when air-popped. This is because it's a source of fiber and is actually low in calories—just avoid the salt and butter.

[Image via Shutterstock]

{{ oArticle.title }}

{{ oArticle.subtitle }}