Why do a lot of people seem to avoid high calorie foods? Calorie always gives a big buzz to our ears, how much more does high calorie? But contrary to what many people believe, calorie isn’t bad. It is a very essential nutrient that the body needs to sustain energy. Without calories, we won’t be able to do simple house chores. Even lifting your arms would be impossible.
It is worth knowing at this point in time that there are two types of calories – the good and the bad, just like cholesterol. The bad calories, also called empty calories, are those that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol and low in everything else (nutrients, essential enzymes, vitamins, minerals, etc.). The good ones are those that come along with amazing health benefits, and are recommended by doctors and dieticians.
Studies show that there are high calorie foods that can help you achieve the health and shape you’ve been dreaming of.
Avocado – topping the list of high calorie foods is avocado, considered as one of the healthiest fruits in the world. This fruit attained a bad reputation early in 1980s due to its high fat and calorie levels. The rumor suddenly vanished when scientists found out that the fat contained in avocado is actually a type of monounsaturated fat that is good for the heart. According to studies, consuming avocados regularly helps lower down one’s cholesterol levels. It is also linked to weight loss.
Nuts – instead of munching on your cookies, get yourself a cup of nuts. A daily handful of nuts of different varieties such as walnuts, almonds, pecans, and peanuts can help the body gain more of healthy calories while shedding weight. Nuts are found to contain high amount of omega-3 fatty acids and proteins that promote good cardiovascular health.
Potatoes – a lot of dieters tend to avoid this highly nutritious, antioxidant-filled root crop because of the ‘high calorie’ content. But take out the sour cream, cheese and all those stuff – you get a healthy, beneficial snack that could make you feel full for long hours.
Dark chocolate – who doesn’t love chocolates? As long as you keep it dark and in moderate consumption, you can obtain amazing health benefits from chocolates. The dark ones are filled with antioxidants that help flush away toxins from the body. Whether you’re in a weight loss or weight gain program, dark chocolates are great treats!
Berries – a growing body of research suggests that among the high calorie foods, berries turn out to be the ones that contain the highest amount of antioxidants. For breakfast, top your cereal with some fresh berries (of different varieties). A cup of fresh berries has around 50 healthy calories.
Salmon – fish are fatty, that’s right. But the fats they contain aren’t like those in red meat. Fish like salmon are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that promote beautiful hair and skin, and better memory.
Olive oil – you must be so concerned about your calorie intake that you don’t use any other oil than olive oil. For all you know, olive oil has the highest calorie content, even higher than that of avocado! Fortunately, it turns out that olive oil is extremely healthy.
Eggs – it is true that eggs have high calorie contents. But in a recent study, it was found that consuming two eggs for breakfast within two months can help people reduce weight by two pounds. Instead of frying eggs, it’s healthier to poach them.
Yogurt – among the high calorie foods that are known to be highly nutritious is yogurt. A cup of plain Greek yogurt will give you about 137 calories, along with proteins and calcium. While flavored yogurt can be tempting, they contain unessential fats that can spoil your fitness efforts.
Breakfast cereal – a cup of wholegrain cereal plus a glass of pure orange juice will give you a healthy calorie boost as well as the energy you need to sustain the day. Instead of flavored cereals, you can top your breakfast cereal with fresh or dried fruits (whichever you prefer).
Try incorporating these high calorie foods in your daily diet and find out for yourself!