Everyday Tips on Eating Smarter

As you improve your lifestyle to live healthier, you try to cut out all the foods that are going to hurt your healthy diet. So are you really
making your diet healthier with the foods you've dropped? The truth may surprise you.

To help keep some of your favorite foods from getting nixed
in your diet, here are 5 surprising facts that may change your opinion
about the foods you eat.

1. Some chocolate is good for you
   Pure cacao and nib chocolate is rich in antioxidants, which helps reduce the risk for array of health concerns, like heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, arthritis and even asthma issues.
   
   Only some varieties of chocolate can really be considered as goof for you—and things like candy bars contain way too much fat and empty calories—but the right chocolate (usually darker chocolate) can actually be higher in antioxidants than other foods like fruit and tea. ¹
2. Ground beef can have less fat than ground turkey
   Although you think of turkey as healthier than beef, ground turkey can actually have more fat—depending on the type you buy of each. Regular ground turkey contains dark meat, which is higher in fat. In this way, regular turkey has more fat than lean ground beef.
   
   When you buy ground meats, always look at the percentage it lists on the package. You want to use meat that's labeled 80/20. This includes extra-lean ground beef and ground turkey breast. By cooking these kinds of lean ground meats on your George Foreman grill, you can then remove up to 42% of the fat included in burgers made from 80/20 meat.
3. Iceberg lettuce isn't good for you
   Off all the green leafy vegetables you can buy, iceberg lettuce has the least nutritional value. Since it's about 90% water with low levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients like antioxidants² , you're basically just adding calories without getting anything in return.
   
   For healthier burgers, sandwiches and salads, use a leafy vegetable with a high nutritional value, such as romaine lettuce or spinach. These two have the highest values you can find for leafy greens, with spinach being one of the highest ranking healthy vegetables in the world.
4. Diet soda doesn't help weight loss
   You may think your diet soda is helping you reach your ideal weight, but in truth it may be hurting you. New studies show diet soda drinkers increase their risk for weight gain by 41% for every can of soda they drink.³
   
   

   Research also shows that there may be a direct link between the artificial sweeteners found in diet soda and increase in appetite—so basically that sugar substitute is cutting your sugar intake, but it's also making you hungrier so you eat more. Instead of switching to diet drinks in place of regular soda, focus on water, tea and fruit juices with no artificial sweeteners.

   If you're looking for a caffeine boost, keep reading to find a surprising caffeine drink that can help your healthy lifestyle!.

5. Morning coffee + evening wine = lasting health
   Most people have already heard that drinking a glass of red wine each day helps support a healthy lifestyle. Some studies indicate that the antioxidants found in red wine can help reduce the risk for heart disease, keep blood vessels open and reduce your risk for clots.
   
   But what about your morning coffee? While most of us think of our coffee addiction as a bad habit, new research shows coffee may help prevent Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.⁴ Of course, remember that moderation is key, but as with red wine a single serving or a few cups may actually be good for you.