Five 'unhealthy' foods that are actually good for you

Nutritional sciences lecturer Scott Harding argues all food can be part of a healthy diet

Nutritional science lecturer Scott Harding says eggs and dairy are actually good for you to eat (Rex Features)

Potatoes, fat spreads and eggs are not as bad as you think and might actually be healthy, new research has found.

With fast changing nutritional guidelines, it is difficult to keep track of the latest health trend but a new study based on both old and current science breaks the stereotypes of what you should and shouldn't eat.

Nutritional sciences lecturer at King's College London Scott Harding re-assessed the health benefits of five food, known as the "villains" in a healthy diet.

Writing for The Conversation website, Mr Harding argues eggs, fat spreads, potatoes, dairy and raw nuts are actually "okay to eat".

Eggs

According to Bill Marler, the chance of getting food poisoning from raw eggs is much lower today than it was 20 years ago — but he still isn’t taking any chances (Getty Images)

Eggs were long-believed to be bad for your heart.

A large egg contains 185mg of dietary cholesterol, which was believed to contribute to high blood cholesterol levels.

But for the last 20 years, research has shown a normal intake of dietary cholesterol has very little influence on a person’s blood cholesterol levels.

Now, nutrition experts are putting the record straight arguing eggs are a source of protein, healthy fats, and several vitamins and minerals.

Fat spreads

Butter is made by churning fresh cream or milk whereas margarine is made of vegetable fats (Rex Features)

Fat spreads such as margarine and butter have had a confusing nutritional history.

Margarine, which is made of vegetable fat, has been used in most developed countries since the mid 19th Century to replace butter.

The new spread was made popular by being cheaper than butter and sales were driven by advice from health professionals, who recommended eating less saturated fat to prevent heart diseases.

Although this led to a reduction in the number of people suffering from coronary heart disease as less saturated fat was being consumed, researchers also noticed a link between the intake of trans fat, a form of fat sometimes used in margarine and made of partially hydrogenating vegetable fats, and heart disease.

As a result, trans fat-free margarine hit the market.

But confusion over whether vegetable fat spreads are safe to eat seemed to have remained.

As long as "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil” is not listed as an ingredient, then these spreads are safe to eat. They enable to avoid dietary saturated fat and reduced the risk of coronary heart disease.

Potatoes

Potatoes have emerged as a potential vegetable that could make people gain weight, due to their high starch and low water content (Rex)

Potatoes are one of the few vegetables considered to be unhealthy because of their high glycemic index and are often associated with food made from refined carbohydrates - and therefore to avoid.

But potatoes are a rich source of carbohydrates, vitamin C, some B vitamins and trace minerals.The preparing and cooking of potatoes can also influence the aspects of the starches for the better.

Cooking and cooling potatoes increases the amount of resistant starch in the potatoes, which “resists” digestion in the gut, potentially having a positive impact on your gut bacteria.

Dairy

(Getty)

Once a staple food in many people's diets, milk, butter, yoghurt and cheese are no longer consumed to the same extent because of conflicting health messages.

While dairy products contain high protein and calcium, which the body needs, they need to be chosen with care as some products contain high amounts of saturated fat per portion.

But although it is best to avoid a diet high in saturated fat, it is not a bad thing to regularly consume dairy products as long as this is part of reasonable calorie and fat intakes.

Raw nuts and nut butters

The man became abusive after being denied nuts and crackers, the court has heard (Getty)

Some suggest nuts should be avoided by anyone trying to lose weight because they are high in fat and calories.

But research evidence show raw nuts are key to a healthy diet and while maintaining body weight, they also help to reduce death from heart disease and cardiac arrest.

Raw nuts contain protein, healthy fats, which are low in saturated fat, dietary fibre and micronutrients.

Peanut butter, can also be part of a healthy diet as a source of protein, fibre, vitamin B6 and magnesium. Evidence from recent research demonstrate peanut butter can increase weight loss if it is used to replace less healthy protein sources such as processed meats.

High in calories, peanut butter yet needs to be consumed in moderation.

Mr Harding concludes: "All foods fit into a healthy diet. Don’t fall into the trap of believing in 'superfoods' or 'food villains'. Enthusiastic consumption of one particular 'superfood' can be worse than consuming a so-called 'food villain'."