Good or bad?
Recently I have come to realize just how many misconceptions there are around food. I suppose that’s not too surprising considering the enormous amount of information available and a great deal of it contradictory.
The fact is that most food is neither good nor bad. Within the nutritional community there is a growing appreciation that health derives from an overall pattern of diet rather than from the avoidance of particular foods
It’s tempting to say “Use your common sense”, but if that’s all it took there wouldn’t be hundreds of books written on diet and nutrition every year. When trying to develop a list of healthy foods, how are you to know?
And, I also know which things that I regret eating when the result is not in line with my goal of great health. That’s the stuff that makes you want to lay on the floor for an hour, have a nap, or worse. It delivers the opposite of good health and you know the difference. That’s where the common sense part comes in. My ambition on this site is to try to clarify what the basic elements of a healthy diet are so that you can create simple, healthy meal recipes that work for you. Sometimes I do suggest using butter, a very small amount of it. And I do suggest that if you like meat, you should eat it, but, not 12 oz at a time. On another page I discussed the possible healthy benefits of enjoying a glass, or two, of red wine. I also make it very clear that there are many possible negative effects of enjoying it too much. Points to consider when making a list of healthy foods.
2) Variety is important. That’s how you’ll ensure you receive the greatest benefit from the food in your diet. By eating a wide variety of foods from all groups you have the best chance of receiving the nutrients required for a healthy diet. 3) Ensure that the food you buy is the best possible you can get. If you can afford organic, go for it. If you have the opportunity to buy eggs from a neighbor, do so. If you can get to a farmers market and buy local produce, take advantage. 4) When you read an article about risks associated with eating some type of food, read the article again, carefully. Try to determine what level of exposure is necessary, and under what circumstances, in order to achieve the negative effects. 5) Remember that not all foods by the same name are created equal. A hamburger from a fast-food chain is not the same as one you would prepare at home using nice, lean ground beef. No comparison. 6) Which brings me to: remember that preparation is a big part of healthy eating. Control the content and the process of food prep by making it yourself and KNOW what you’re eating.
8) Cook meat thoroughly, but don't turn it into a doorstop. Buy a meat thermometer and forget guessing. Overcooking meat is not the solution and won’t be any help in promoting healthy eating in the family. 9) Vegetables can also carry e-Coli and should be washed thoroughly as well. 10) Stay current. Research on nutrition is constantly evolving and as with the egg-debate, if you don’t keep up, you may be depriving yourself unnecessarily.
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When trying to build a healthy, balanced diet around a list of healthy foods, it can be hard to know what’s good or bad for you.
One week butter is bad; then it’s good. One week salmon is good; then it’s not so good. Grapefruit is good, except under certain situations. It’s a lot of information and a lot of it is confusing. 
Recently, a very smart friend of mine told me he doesn’t eat eggs. Yep, he’s worried about cholesterol. I was shocked, but I knew he probably wasn’t the only person still hanging onto that outdated news item and allowing it to govern his diet. 
My personal approach has been to read as much as possible, for a start. Then I combine that with what I know “works” for my body. And I mean by that, food that provides energy and helps me look and feel my best. In that way I can recognize which healthy foods to eat for optimal health.
1) Everything in moderation is a good motto. A little wine, yes, but not too much. Some meat, but not the whole cow. Have dessert, but not with every meal. Learn to enjoy the foods you love without treating each meal as your last.
7) Maintain good hygiene in the kitchen. Eggs often carry salmonella, and so does the carton they come in. Bring the eggs out only when you plan to use them. Put the carton away and wash your hands with soap and water. Ditto when handling meat. If you do this you will eliminate a lot of the risk involved.
