It’s frequently thought that dark chocolate is good for you and that you should grab a square of the more bitter variety instead of milk chocolate. And while it is better for you than milk chocolate, “good for you” is sometimes difficult to determine.
Dark chocolate is frequently lower in calories than the milk versions, and also provides antioxidants to flush out your system, provides good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol (HDL and LDL respectively), has been shown to help reduce blood pressure, and might even protect your skin from sun damage. This is still a dessert, so watch those portions, but if you’ve been working hard, nothing beats a dark square.
Coconut Oil: White Gold
Coconut oil is another one of nature's well-kept secrets since this oil is full of antibacterial and antiviral agents that develop a good balance of bacteria in our guts. They help digestion, help your mood, and even encourage you to eat healthier food, believe it or not.
Coconut oil has good fats that aid digestion and energy. It provides medium-chain fats, which provide ketones to the body, which are useful for keeping the brain, heart, and other major organs running smoothly. Use coconut oil to fry up your favorite veggies, and you'll find yourself with a double dose of nutrients and energy.
Go on, Go Nuts
Like a lot of the foods on this list, macadamia nuts are packed with useful nutrients, loaded with antioxidants, help your digestive system, and more. But, unlike many of the foods on this list, they may actually reduce your risk of metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome has a cluster of risk factors, including high blood sugar and cholesterol levels that raise your risk of stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Thanks to the nutrients and monosaturated fats, researchers have seen a significant increase in hemoglobin A1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control. Like other nuts, macadamia nuts are high-calorie, so while they're a great treat, too many and your health might still take a dive.
Everyone's Favorite Drink Has Another Use
Coffee not only keeps you awake and alert during the day, but the taste is loved all over the world. So, not only will it get you going in the morning, there's plenty of metabolism-boosting energy inside your favorite cup.
Coffee also carries plenty of antioxidants that flush out toxic substances which may have a relation to cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and more. Coffee might be one of the things you have to have to get through a hard day, but it's actually doing a little more to help you than you might think. Avoid adding lots of cream and sugar if you're after real health – black coffee is super low in calories, but additives aren't.
Squeeze Some Health Onto Your Next Burger
Now here's a surprising one: mustard. It's a favorite condiment for plenty of people, but did you know it has lots of health benefits, too? It's a great source of healthy fats, which slow digestion and help you feel full.
Grab mustard powder for a taste that's even closer to the original that you can add to soups, curries, and other dishes. Be careful not to add too much – it's a bitter spice, and too much will make your healthy food unpalatable. Grab a bottle on the shelf to add to your next day of grilling.