They're Healthier Than You Think! 9 Foods to Enjoy Guilt-Free

Foods that are healthier than you think...
Foods that are healthier than you think...

You don't need me to tell you that the holidays are a time of indulgence.

From cakes and cookies, to eggnog and cider, there are lots of ways to send your diet off a cliff. But among those tables of snacks and sweets are some foods that are a lot healthier than you might think. Check out these 9 foods you can enjoy guilt-free.







Red Wine
Red Wine


1. Red Wine
You might be surprised that red wine can be beneficial to your health since the last time you had some, you tripped and bruised your shin on the front steps of your house, but that's because you drank too much. In moderation, red wine can help promote heart health. Also, an antioxidant in red wine, resveratrol, may reduce the likelihood of blood clotting and inflammation which can lead to heart disease, and also has been (very tentatively) linked to a reduced risk of diabetes and obesity.
Make lamb ragu with a red wine braise


Olive Oil
Olive Oil


2. Olive Oil
It's true that olive oil is high in fat, but those fats are mostly monounsaturated fats which may improve your cholesterol and normalize blood clotting, thereby reducing your risk of heart disease.
Make olive oil cake

Related: 8 brain foods that help prevent memory loss


Grapes
Grapes


3. Grapes
Super-sweet grapes can seem like an indulgent snack, but fresh grapes, which are a standby of holiday snack tables, are very nutritious. Rich in resveratrol, catechins, and minerals, grapes pack a powerful nutritional punch. They are also very low in calories -- 1 cup has just over 100 calories. Note that conventional imported grapes can have traces of more than 30 pesticides, so, for optimal health benefits, stick with organic.
Make grape salsa


Cabbage
Cabbage


4. Cabbage
Many think that the healthiest vegetables are the most colorful, and that's usually true, except where Brassica vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage are concerned. Cabbage is actually packed with nutrients like vitamins A, B, C, and E. And, this low calorie food also has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. So go ahead, have some more slaw--cabbage is great for you!
Make cabbage and pear slaw


Popcorn
Popcorn


5. Popcorn
It's not that popcorn is especially good for you, but as far as snack foods go, popcorn is a pretty good one. With only 31 calories in a cup of popcorn, it's easy to fill up without packing on the pounds. Just skip the butter.
Make homemade popcorn

Related: The hidden effects of sleep deprivation


Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil


6. Coconut Oil
Long considered a villain among oils, coconut oil has been receiving a lot of positive attention lately -- not just for its fragrant, nutty flavor, but for it's healthy qualities too. Virgin coconut oil is high in lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid that can have a positive effect on "good" cholesterol. Claims have also been made that coconut oil has anti-microbial, antibacterial, and anti-viral properties, though these claims are largely unproven.
Learn more about coconut oil


Butter
Butter


7. Butter
Like a lot of foods on this list, butter gets a bad rap for being high in fat, but the fact is that fat is something that your body needs to function properly. Maybe if it weren't called "fat," people would feel better about enjoying delicious butter, because it's full of the same vitamins and nutrients as other dairy products and has been part of the human diet for thousands of years.
Make brown butter banana bread

Related: 8 unexpected benefits of exercise


Whole Milk
Whole Milk


8. Whole Milk
When you remove the fat from milk, you reduce the vitamins A and D which help your body assimilate the calcium and protein in milk. And besides being potentially easier to digest, a little fat can leave you feeling satisfied and full. Go ahead, enjoy that latte!
Make concord grape ice cream


Hamburgers
Hamburgers


9. Hamburgers
Fast food doesn't have a monopoly on hamburgers. When you make your own at home, you can keep the additives out of the meat, top with fresh veggies, use a whole grain bun and have a high protein dinner that's delicious, fast and healthful.
Make easy sliders with caramelized onions

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