White rice, whole milk… and 10 other foods that get a bad rap but are actually good for you
Following the news than pasta could be the key to keeping slim, we take a look at some other foods which aren't as unhealthy as you think
PASTA fans rejoiced this week, following the news that a lovely plate of it could actually help you LOSE weight.
Yes, it seems that plate of delicious spag bol could help you drop a few pounds.
Unconvinced? Well the study was even conducted in Italy, the home of the filling white carb.
Pasta isn't the only food which gets a bad rap either, here we reveal 12 others which are much better for you than you think. You're welcome.
White rice
Probably thanks to that pesky Atkins diet, many people have been steering clear of white rice for years.
It's 90% carbs which is probably why, but the brown variety is hardly much better at 85%.
The white version is also crammed with magnesium, phosphorous and iron, but brown does have more fibre in it.
That said, the brown version also has phytic acid, which can mess up the way minerals like iron and zinc are absorbed.
Studies have also found people who eat white rice are less likely to be overweight - just saying.
Canned tuna
Anything in a can gets a bad rap, but tuna in particular.
There's no reason for it though, because it has pretty much the same about of protein as its fresh brother.
It also has all the same omega-3s in it which are so good for your hair and skin.
Canned kidney beans
These aren't quite as good for you as the dried versions because they have more sodium in them, but not as much as people say.
If you can't be bothered with the faff of soaking, give these a go - they are packed with the same amount of protein and fibre as the others.
Also, giving them a quick rinse under the tap gets rid of as much as 40% of the sodium.
Popcorn
In fairness, we're not talking about the super sweet version you're probably a fan of at the cinema.
But plain popcorn is actually pretty good for you, as it's crammed with whole grains and fibre. Plus the bits that get stuck in your teeth are full of antioxidants.
Sometimes you need a bit of flavour though, so try adding a bit of sea salt to spruce it up.
Whole milk
If you're trying to lose weight you probably stick to the skimmed or semi-skimmed variety, but you could be missing a trick.
Several studies have suggested people who opt for full fat over low fat milk are more likely to be thin... although the reasons aren't totally clear.
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It could be because it's more filling, so you'll be less likely to snack if you have it.
One thing's clear - lower fat food can have more additives, salt and sugar in it to make it taste better.
Bananas
Traditionally dieters will steer clear of bananas in favour of other fruit, because they have more sugar and calories in them.
The flip side is that they are stuffed with potassium, antioxidants and vitamin C. All of these are tip top when it comes to keeping your body healthy.
Peanut butter
First things first - this does not mean you can start eating a tub of peanut butter a day, sorry.
In moderation it's not as bad for you as many say though, mostly because it's full of protein and fibre so it keeps you feeling full.
In fact, it's been found that women who eat peatnut butter two or more times a week are a quarter less likely to be obese than ladies who steer clear.
Potatoes
Another food which has been cast as the devil thanks to the Atkins, low-carb, diet.
While they are full of starchy carbs (which there's nothing wrong with, by the way) they also have a lot of potassium, B vitamins, vitamin C and fibre in them.
They can help lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease too.
Frozen vegetables
Many still think fresh is best, but that's not actually the case.
As they are picked at their peak and then frozen quickly, their nutrients are preserved which means they are packed with vitamins and minerals.
They don't have sodium or preservatives either, plus it means you can munch your favourites all year round.
Bacon
Bit of a cheat one this, but stick with us.
Normal bacon isn't great for you - it has a lot of saturated fat and sodium in it.
If you can find Canadian bacon you're on to a winner though, as it's much lower in calories and fat. It's also got iron, zinc and B vitamins.
Obviously it might not be readily available, so go for trimmed bacon medallions which also are much more waist-friendly
Coffee
Coffee has a bad name because of the caffeine in it, but it also contains flavonoids.
They help keep the heart and cells healthy, plus coffee has been found to help reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's and type 2 diabetes.
Eggs
A lot of people ditched eggs from their daily diet because they thought the cholesterol was bad for them.
But actually they are full of protein which keeps you feeling full, so they can be beneficial if you're trying to lose weight.
They're especially good in the morning, as they've been found to keep you fuller for longer than cold cereal.