Here’s how ice cream and these other cheat foods are actually good for health

With every new day, we have a brand-new food crush and we bet you do too! They are discarded and replaced as quickly as they come, too, wouldn't you agree? Fist coconut oil was healthy and now it's being compared to animal fat. Then, turmeric was up on a pedestal, before new research showed that its active ingredient curcumin isn’t so miraculous after all. So, what exactly should our diets comprise of?

“Unfortunately, we are too scared to eat regular food,” said Lovneet Batra, Delhi-based sports nutritionist and founder of Arbhavya to a leading fashion magazine. “New diet fads have forced us to switch from regular meals to exotic foods because every day there’s new research that fuels food trends,” said Shraddha Khanna, head of nutrition, The Food Analysts, a calorie counting service. Cheating once in a while through your diet is therapeutic. It helps you connect with your meal, so you can really enjoy what you eat. Now, you will be surprised to know that cheat foods such as ice cream, dairy, rice, etc actually aren't harming your body as much as you think. They come with benefits too and today, we're here to talk about just that!

Ice cream

“The tendency is to replace ice cream with frozen yoghurt, because we assume it’s better,” said Batra. But, she explained that frozen yogurt is much worse. It’s packed with fillers and emulsifying agents that make them taste rich and creamy. “It’s much better to eat a scoop of ice cream because it doesn’t contain toxic additives,” added Batra. Just make sure you get your bowlful from a place that makes it in small batches and without the nasties that come with mass production.

Rice

The common misconception is that you shouldn’t eat rice for your dinner, or eat the brown variety over white. "But rice has a certain amino acid that makes you calmer, and gives you very good sleep,” said Khanna. While you can eat it for dinner, you must do so early, about three-four hours before you sleep. This way, your body will digest and assimilate the nutrients that’ll benefit you while you sleep," she added.

Full-fat dairy

“Dairy is rich in calcium and CLA, which we know helps mobilise stubborn fat from the belly, hips and thighs. It also helps reduce acidity,” explained Khanna. She recommends full-fat versions and fresh milk instead of the packaged, low-fat varieties. You can go for cow or buffalo milk too, but make sure you buy it directly from the milkman, rather than the supermarket.

Mango

“This is one of the best fruits that you can eat for your skin,” said Batra. It is rich in vitamins A and C, plus fibre—all great elements for healthy digestion and a glowing complexion. This summer favourite is good for you, as long as you’re not eating it right after a meal. This is the season to feast on the fruit!

So, cheat away...