Five Foods that Society Says are Bad, Just to Spoil Our Fun

I for one, am sick and tired of watching the news and seeing reports about foods that I cannot or shouldn't eat. I'm sick of fad diet infomercials, and reports about strange and deadly bacteria floating around on my favorite veggies. But most of all, I'm exasperated with all the medical talk about which foods are bad for you, and why you should avoid them. It appears that there is an endless Tug-of-War going on between healthy foods and non-healthy foods. Just when you think it's safe to eat something, some expert with tons of initials following his/her name places said food on the Health Hit List. In a state of pure rebellion, I decided to do a little digging to uncover the blissful truth about five of my favorite foods. Here are the lies that I unearthed...

FOOD / BEVERAGE #1 : Coffee

THE LIE: Coffee is bad for you because of all the acids it contains. The caffeine may also serves to aggravate the kidneys and prostate. It can also lead to fatigue and other illness and can be addictive.

THE DELICIOUS TRUTH: First of all, it has been medically determined that drinking one to two cups of coffee a day does not affect the part of the brain that is involved with addiction. This is why I am comfortably able to skip a week of coffee while feeling no effects.

It's also been stated that the slight jolt caffeine provides (at low levels) actually aids in alertness, and improves mood. (Duh.) The real breath of fresh air (pun intended) is the fact that caffeine has been shown to aid asthmatic patients. In fact, having them drink coffee regularly has helped to moderate asthma attacks.

FOOD / BEVERAGE #2: Alcohol

THE LIE: The consumption of alcohol is the leading cause of motor vehicle accidents. Additionally, alcoholism has reached an all time high, cited as the cause for a number of human ailments-- mental and physical, including: fetal alcohol syndrome, cirrhosis of the liver, and of course, addiction.

THE DELICIOUS TRUTH: It should first be said that alcohol does not cause motor vehicle collisions. Stupid drivers who get sloshed and drive at 93 mph cause motor vehicle collisions. That being said, it's common knowledge that many European countries follow a steadfast tradition of chasing down every meal with a glass or two of vino.

Truth be told, the medical theory that moderate levels alcohol help prevent heart disease is wildly popular. This is perhaps because it is known that alcohol acts as a blood thinner, preventing blockages in the arteries that lead to the brain and heart. One hidden theory that doesn't make the news very often is the fact that alcohol improves the body's natural sensitivity to insulin. There are actually at least three other benefits of having a good stiff drink. Doctors of course will stress the concept of moderation. And I will admit that my consumption has passed "moderate" levels on one occasion or two. But it makes me feel better knowing that my heart is a little happier.

FOOD / BEVERAGE #3: Chocolate

THE LIE: Chocolate is high in calories (containing about 500 calories per 100 grams.) Moreover, it is high in saturated fat which is one of the main causes of weight gain. The sugar and caffeine levels caused by most chocolate snacks are very high-but dip quickly as soon as one finishes the snack.

THE DELICIOUS TRUTH: Society has a tendency to take the downside of a concept and extort it until it's a full blown balloon of paranoia. This is the case where chocolate is concerned. Anyone with half a brain understands that sitting on the sofa indulging in a bulk-pack of Snickers candy bars is in for a rude awakening after the chocolate feast is over. The problem with health bulletins is that they almost never cover the benefits associated with a particular food item.

In the case of the beloved chocolate, doctors have confirmed that it contains the antioxidants necessary to protect the body from natural (and unnatural) toxins. Flavonoids (the ingredient in chocolate that makes it taste "bitter") are the compounds found in chocolate which have these wonderful health benefits. Further obliterating the lie about chocolate, is the reality that it is not as fattening as society's medical "geniuses" would have you believe. In fact, the majority of the fat found in chocolate is the same unsaturated fat found in olive oil.

The basic message here is that you can have a piece of chocolate or two and not fear drastic repercussions. There is actually a community of people in Panama that hardly ever contracts high blood pressure-simply because they are known to consume about five cups of cocoa a day. The key here is that lovely little word called "moderation." I am proud to let the record show that injecting a bit of glorious chocolate into the diet can have some pretty profound health benefits.

FOOD / BEVERAGE #4: Butter

THE LIE: Butter is a highly fattening dairy product (saturated fat) known to contribute to elevated cholesterol levels. Consumption of butter has also been linked to heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues.

THE DELICIOUS TRUTH: All of you who rushed out during the 90's to buy tubs and tubs of that nasty margarine, have been hoodwinked-bamboozled-led astray, etc. etc. etc. Surprising millions in the world is the truth that butter is one of the best whole foods to include in your diet.

First of all, butter has vitamin A, a statement that many margarines cannot make. Three more reasons to spread a bit of butter on your bread? Vitamins D, K, and E. Butter also has more antioxidants than garlic, or even whole wheat. And that dreadful cholesterol that doctors warn against is actually GOOD for you, in that cholesterol is necessary to maintain sufficient intestinal health. If people realized just how many unnatural, unhealthy ingredients were in those tubs of "fake stuff," they just might see their lunches again.

Butter is not the enemy. Butter spread on tons of bread in layers thick enough to rival frosting, is in fact not the best way to go. The important thing to note here, is that whole foods have more of what the body needs to function naturally. Having just a little here and there will actually do more good than harm.

FOOD / BEVERAGE #5: Red Meat

THE LIE: The list of dangers associated with eating red meat is virtually endless. Consumption of red meat has been linked to a varying number of different cancers, in addition to elevated blood cholesterol levels. Red meat has also been connected to the risk of developing inflammatory arthritis.

THE DELICIOUS TRUTH: PETA activists, cancer risks, E-Coli, and "Mad Cow" scares aside, a healthy steak is probably one of the best things to adorn one's dinner plate. First and foremost, red meat is an excellent source of protein. Consumers of beef products will also find that they contain more zinc than lighter meats, like poultry. Zinc is known to help prevent illnesses. (Doesn't having a nice sirloin to help stop colds sound like a more appetizing option than a chalky zinc tablet?)

Those who tend to scarf down carbohydrate-rich foods may not be getting enough iron, and other vitamins (B12, B6, and niacin) in their diets. This can easily be achieved by ordering a nice lean piece of red meat. The trick here is to watch how it is prepared. Don't drizzle it in tons of fatty sauces or gravies. Enjoy the rich flavor as it is with moderate (that word again!) seasoning, and keep the meal balanced with other nutritional goodies.

There is a theme threading through each and every one of these "Delicious Truths"-moderation. Clogging up the stomach and arteries with lots of fats, sugars, and preservatives will undoubtedly have some pretty harmful effects on the body. But the medical community has gone a little haywire with its warning labels. In fact, physicians and drug companies are counting on scaring a good number of the population out of eating certain foods; doing so increases doctor visits, which in turn increase the sales on newly developed medications. The Delicious Truth is that most foods consumed in their "whole" state, sans artificial goodies are good for you. There is a reason that antioxidants exist in plants and animals that humans consume. It's nature's way of balancing all the stuff that tends to go awry with aging.