10 Junk Foods That are Actually Good For You

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Dark chocolate

Cocoa content reduces sugar and increases polyphenol antioxidants that lower blood pressure.

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White bread

A nutritious wholemeal loaf offers 2.8g fibre per slice, yet white bread, with 1g, is still healthy. Two slices of white provide 17% of the daily calcium needs.

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Red wine

175ml of red wine, or 2 alcohol units, contains 1.6mg iron, little over 10% of the daily recommended consumption of an anaemia-protective vitamin.

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Oven fries

Made with potatoes and sunflower oil, oven fries are no more processed than traditional roast potatoes or mash. An average 150g baked dish contains 1.37mg of the 3-4mg vitamin E needed daily for immunity.

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Cheerios

At least 15% of the daily necessary nine vitamins and minerals are in Cheerios per small bowl.

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Baked beans

When you can't cook, make baked beans on toast for dinner without guilt. One of your five-a-day, half a can of Heinz Beanz contains 10g of protein.

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Ham

Although processed, ham is a lean protein source with less than 5% fat.

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Peanut butter

A 30g dose of peanut butter contains 1.5mg of vitamin E and roughly 25% of the daily niacin, which is essential for energy, nerves, and skin.

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Pasta

Since the ‘carbs are bad’ message is so ubiquitous, you might not realize that global healthy eating recommendations encourage starchy carbs, especially whole grains, as a crucial part of meals.

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Fruit cake

A classic handmade fruit cake has enough currants and sultanas for one of your five-a-day.

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Popcorn

Popcorn is a whole grain until it's eaten in large quantities or has plenty of fat, sugar, and salt. 

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Fried eggs

Fried eggs had 45 more calories than poached ones. Fryin' eggs doesn't diminish their protein, B vitamins, vitamin D, and selenium content.

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Red meat

Red meat supplies easily absorbed iron and zinc for reproductive and cognitive health.

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