One of the biggest flaws that a lot of people possess is the eagerness to label things as good or bad. The way in which people approach food is probably the best example of how this works. Almost every meal out there can be incredibly beneficial for your health and general wellbeing if made from the right ingredients and if consumed in moderation. In fact, the very reason why some of these delicious foods and beverages have a bad reputation is due to the low-quality of ingredients that they’re made of. Also, since they’re delicious, a lot of people tend to consume them far too frequently and in excessive quantities. In order to debunk this myth once and for all, here are the top eight delicious things you didn’t know can be healthy.

1. Guacamole

Guacamole is, beyond doubt, one of the most popular avocado-based dips in the world. Sure, it’s fat and caloric but what a lot of people don’t know about it is the fact that it’s rich with a good kind of fat, the type that your organism desperately needs. You see, while your diet needs to consist of protein, carbohydrates and fats, the source of these macronutrients is what matters the most. While the majority of people know that tuna, eggs and white meat are the cleanest sources of proteins, when it comes to fats, people are not that well-informed. So, avocado-based dishes (including guacamole) should be your go-to meal for a healthy daily source of fat.

2. Pizza

Let’s be completely honest and admit that pizza is the last food that you expected to encounter on this list. However, it all depends on your ingredients. You see, pizza is one of the meals that can give you the widest berth of possible variations to experiment with. A whole-wheat crust pizza is already a great source of good carbohydrates and it’s quite easy to make. As for the topping, it’s for you to decide but even here you can go with a cleaner, healthier choice.

3. Burgers

Other than pizza, this is probably the most unlikely food of the bunch. Still, if you make your own patty out of lean meat with just enough fat to give it flavour and keep it all together, you can turn this around quite effortlessly. Ground turkey is ideal for this task. In fact, there are a lot of people who use these burgers (bun free) as the foundation of their low carb or paleo diet. The options are numerous, indeed.

4. Brandy

When consumed in moderation, brandy can improve your heart health, slow down your ageing process, reduce the risk of cancer and even boost your immunity. This is why people of the Balkan region see slivovitz brandy, not just as a tasty beverage but also as one of the oldest natural remedies in existence. Naturally, for this to work, this brandy needs to be consumed in moderation. Also, different types of brandies are seen as both aperitifs and digestives (wine brandy or cognac, for example). This means that they have a significant place in your diet and your digestive process, as well.

5. Meatloaf

When it comes to making a healthy meatloaf, all you have to do is pay close attention to the type of meat that you’re using. The leaner the fat profile of the meat is, the better. Also, you can add quinoa in order to further improve the quantity of protein. Keep in mind that a lot of people see meatloaf as their comfort food and often worry about all the calories and nutrients that they’re consuming. This way, you can have your cake and eat it too. Speaking of which…

6. Cookies

When it comes to cookies, it all depends on the type of sugar that you use. Going for sugar from sources like bananas, honey or maple syrup is your best bet. Also, when using flour, you should always go for whole wheat and oats. Cookies made this way will already be far healthier than their alternative. Naturally, overeating on cookies (even these cookies) is definitely a bad idea. However, this type of cheat meal is one of the best ideas that you can possibly come up with.

7. Popcorn

One of the first things that any decent nutritionist will advise you when you decide to try and lose weight is to completely cut out snack food from your diet. Still, popcorn can be incredibly healthy when consumed in adequate quantities. Popcorn is rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as in fibres. When prepared properly, it can contain very little fat. As for the amount of salt that you’ll decide to add, it’s entirely up to you. The lower you go, the better. Keep in mind that, at the end of the day, popcorn is still a whole grain. It is also known to keep your blood sugar in check, which is a huge boost to your efforts of leading a healthier life.

8. Cheese

Cheese is, beyond doubt, one of the foods that people miss the most when they go on a diet. There are two reasons behind this – fat and calories. In this type of food, both are present in abundance. Still, cheese is an umbrella term and there are so many different types. For instance, feta cheese has fewer calories and less fat than its standard counterpart. The source of milk that the cheese in question is made off matters, as well. Goats cheese, cottage cheese and parmesan, for instance, are also quite healthy when compared to the alternative.

In conclusion

As you can see, as long as you can show some restraint, there’s no food that you should avoid at all costs. Also, a lot of the negative consequences can be avoided entirely if you were to make them at home. This way, you control the quality of ingredients, the methodology of food preparation, as well as the quantities of portions. Once you assume the control of your own diet, you will do your health a massive favour. Sometimes, all it takes it to be just a bit more careful.