A nutritionist has shared a list of foods you might think are unhealthy but they’re actually good for you, including pasta, nuts and white rice.
Laura Ford, from Melbourne, said too often we are guilty of ‘demonising’ certain foods, when in actual fact you can eat almost anything, provided it’s part of a balanced diet.
‘There are six foods that I find people often think are unhealthy, when they’re actually healthy,’ Laura posted on TikTok.
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A nutritionist has shared a list of foods you might think are unhealthy but they’re actually good for you, including pasta, nuts and white rice (Laura Ford pictured)
The first food that Laura listed is nuts, which many people who are on a diet shy away from eating on account of their calorie level (pictured)
1. Nuts
The first food that Laura listed is nuts, which many people who are on a diet shy away from eating on account of their calorie level.
‘Nuts may be high in both calories and fat, but they’re high in the good type of fat,’ Laura said.
Nuts are also loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, plus a little goes a long way – meaning a handful will often tide you over from an afternoon snack to dinnertime.
2. White rice
White rice is another food often put on the ‘banned’ list for dieters, but Laura explained there is a reason why it’s a staple in so many foods and cultures.
‘White rice is a great source of energy and carbohydrates,’ Laura said.
The nutritionist likes to combine it with a vegetable-packed curry or black bean mix for tacos.
Laura said having a carbohydrate with your meal will make you less likely to reach for sugary snacks later.
When it comes to eggs, there are many schools of thoughts, but Laura said for her there is simply no debate: eggs are good for you (pictured)
3. Eggs
When it comes to eggs, there are many schools of thought, but Laura said for her there is simply no debate: eggs are good for you.
‘Eggs are a complete protein, and the yolks are full of different vitamins and minerals that help you to absorb the protein in the whites,’ Laura said.
‘Make sure you eat the whole egg for the most health benefits.’
Laura said she would never give up eating pasta (pictured) as it’s a ‘great source of carbohydrates and delicious’
4. Pasta
Pasta is a staple in the Mediterranean diet, which is regularly touted to be one of the healthiest dietary approaches in the world.
Laura said she would never give up eating pasta as it’s a ‘great source of carbohydrates and it’s delicious’.
‘If you eat it al dente [or slightly undercooked], it’s actually really good for your gut bugs,’ Laura said.
Bulk it up with a vegetable source and plenty of veg to get maximum health benefits.
Grains gained a bad reputation over the past few years, after the Paleo diet advised dieters to ditch them in favour of foods including meat and eggs, but Laura (pictured) loves them
5. Grains
Grains have gained a bad reputation over the past few years, after the Paleo diet advised dieters to ditch them in favour of foods including meat, fish, eggs, seeds, nuts, fruits and veggies, along with healthy fats and oils.
But Laura said this is a ‘huge disservice’ to healthy eating, as grains are in fact really good for you.
‘They are a great source of fibre and carbohydrates, and are a fantastic wholefood food packed full of different vitamins and minerals,’ she said.
Finally, Laura (pictured) said salad dressing is something that people think is unhealthy, but this is down to ‘diet culture’ and isn’t actually the truth
6. Salad dressing
Finally, Laura said salad dressing is something that people think is unhealthy, but this is down to ‘diet culture’ and isn’t actually the truth.
‘Yes, adding salad dressing does mean adding extra kilojoules to your meal, but it also means your salads are going to taste so much better,’ she said.