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Expert Q&A
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| By Karen Ansel Nutritionist | ||
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Can you tell me what foods are indulgent but also good for me?
Here's a quick list of some healthy indulgences:
- Smoked salmon – high in omega 3 fatty acids
- Lobster and crab – limit portion size to keep cholesterol in check
- Nuts, especially peanuts (contains phytochemical reservation) and walnuts (high in omega-3 fatty acids)
- Peanut butter, especially in the form of a peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole wheat bread or spread on an apple
- Trail mix
- Sunflower seeds
- Pumpkin pie "custards" or pumpkin pie in ramekins minus the crust
- Low-fat frozen yogurt drizzled with a small amount of Hershey's syrup
- Low-fat pudding or low-fat flan
- Yogurt parfait made with fresh fruit, chopped nuts and low fat granola
- Chocolate-dipped strawberries
- Banana bread topped with peanut butter
- Cafe-o-lait made with skim milk
- Low-fat cheesecake (made with nonfat cream cheese and silken tofu) topped with blueberry sauce
- Whole grain or oatmeal pancakes with sliced berries
Red wine does have health benefits, but it's a bit of a double-edged sword. While alcohol does have certain cardio-protective qualities, it has also been implicated in increasing the risk of certain cancers, particularly breast cancer.
Smoothies can be a healthy indulgence, but portion size is an issue. Many smoothies come in serving sizes as large as 24 ounces, packing upwards of 500 calories. So if you are going to indulge, share one with a friend (or two). In addition, you may want to pay close attention to how they are made. If they are made with non-fat yogurt, that's great. But if sorbet is one of the main ingredients, it becomes more of a high sugar treat.
Chocolate, in moderation, is a great indulgence. It contains disease-preventing phytochemicals known as polyphenols. To get the most polyphenol bang for your buck, choose semi-sweet chocolate over milk chocolate.
Popcorn is definitely a terrific low-fat treat, provided that it is prepared without any added oils or butter. To kick up the flavor, toss it with a dash or curry powder or a sprinkle of lemon salt."
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More Answers by this Expert
- Can you tell me what foods are indulgent but also good for me?
- Before I knew I was pregnant, I was taking a diet pill with ephedrine in it. Could this have harmed my baby?
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