A top nutritionist has shared some tips on healthy eating. She has clarified some common misunderstandings around snacking and healthy food choices.
Abby Coleman is a performance nutritionist with The Edge. The group has a human performance and nutrition lab based in Leatherhead in Surrey, used by professional athletes and other top sportspeople.
Ms Coleman issued a word of caution about snack food. She said: « People can often underestimate how much they snack on foods like crisps, biscuits and pastries.
« They’re easy to eat because they’re high in sugar, salt and saturated fat so our taste buds love them, but these types of snacks are low in fibre and protein, and don’t keep you feeling full. » She said that the risk comes if you indulge in unhealthy snacking regularly.
Health risks
The expert said: « The danger comes from consistent overeating. This can lead to weight gain, increased cholesterol levels (from too much saturated fat), increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and elevated blood pressure. »
She said the issue here is not snacking itself but if you end up overeating as a result. The nutritionist explained: « Choosing snacks which are low in nutrition and high in saturated fat, sugar, and/or salt and, and eating them mindlessly, can be a problem.
« Instead of avoiding snacking, choose options which align with your goals such as health, performance, and body composition. »
She also spoke about what foods are sometimes thought to be unhealthy, but in reality can be good for you in moderation. One common food she mentioned here are eggs.
Surprising health benefits
Ms Coleman said: « Egg yolks are high in cholesterol, but for most people, dietary cholesterol has minimal impact on blood cholesterol levels. Observational studies linking eggs to heart disease are inconclusive. »
She explained the health benefits: « Eggs remain a nutrient-dense food, offering high-quality protein, essential vitamins (including D and B-complex), choline, and antioxidants that support satiety, overall nutrition, and health. » Another food you may be surprised to learn can be good for you is chocolate.
Ms Coleman said: « Chocolate itself should be eaten in moderation, but dark chocolate can be ‘good for you’. Try to stick to 70 percent or more cocoa and you can benefit from it being rich in antioxidants, which protect our cells from damage, a ‘boost’ to HDL cholesterol levels (the ‘good’ cholesterol) ». She said eating dark chocolate can also improve your brain function.
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