Did you know that there are several unhealthy foods you can enjoy guilt-free?

If you listen to nutritionists or watch health shows, you already know that people say you should avoid particular foods if you want to be healthy and maintain your lean physique.

However, even if you’re on a diet or want to focus on nutritious meals, there are some so-called unhealthy foods you can enjoy guilt-free. Of course, portion sizes always matter, but if you combine them with the right ingredients, they can turn into delicious, nutritious, and filling meals.

Do you know any unhealthy foods you can enjoy for lunch or dinner? Then keep reading to find out! Let’s begin!

1. Bread

You’ve heard many times that bread should be avoided because it contains lots of carbs and doesn’t have that much nutritional value. But there’s good news: if you get the right kind of bread, like a wholemeal version with seeds and integral flour, you can enjoy it guilt-free.

However, as I’ve already said, you can portion control your meals so that your body receives the right amount of everything, so when it comes to bread, 1 or 2 slices a day are the optimum quantity. You can eat them for breakfast with avocado and two whole eggs, and you’ll fuel your body with protein, healthy carbs, and fats, and it will keep you full for hours.

2. Potatoes

Regular potatoes are considered by many people a threat to their weight loss goals, but they’re one of the so-called unhealthy foods you can enjoy without feeling like you’re compromising your goals.

They’re indeed high in carbs, but one steam new potato, for instance, has less than 100 calories and around 10–15 grams of carbs, depending on its size. What’s great about potatoes is that they’re rich in fiber, antioxidants, potassium, electrolytes, and vitamin C, which help your muscles, heart, and nervous system be healthy and properly working. And let’s not forget about the fact that they’ll give you lots of energy to tackle your tasks!

3. Red meat

While many people avoid red meat due to its saturated fat content, this is one of the healthy “unhealthy” foods you can enjoy to give your body a boost of vitamins B6 and B12, iron, protein, and zinc.

To make sure you give your body all the nutrients it needs without feeding it too many fats, you should keep your portion size at around 4.5 ounces and grill it or pop it in the oven for a healthy cooking method. If you have an air fryer (here’s an amazing one that makes the best meals ever), you can put it in there for a couple of minutes, and it will taste delicious.

I recommend you pair it with fresh salad, a side of steamed broccoli, and carrots, and your body will be happier than ever!

4. Pasta

I don’t know about you, but pasta is one of my favorite dishes ever, and it tastes amazing with lots of things, from veggies to cheese, fish, and meat. Many people stay away from eating pasta because it contains gluten and white carbs, but guess what? As long as you know what type of pasta to get, it’s one of the best healthy, unhealthy foods you can enjoy guilt-free.

To make this ingredient better for your body, you can swap white wheat pasta for spelt, wholegrain, or quinoa/buckwheat. You can also look for a gluten-free version or try peas, lentils, or chickpea pasta for an extra protein boost and amazing nutrients.

You can combine pasta with tuna and tomato sauce, cheese and broccoli, salmon and sour cream, and lots of other combinations that will keep you satisfied for hours. If you’re scared you’re going to eat too much, you can load your pasta with veggies and a lean source of protein. You fill only half of your plate with this meal and the other half with fresh salad.

5. Full-fat yogurt

Did you know that fall-fat yogurt is one of the unhealthy foods you can enjoy guilt-free as long as you pick the right kind? I love Greek yogurt, especially the one with 10% fat. It is tasty, thick, and high in protein, vitamins B and D, and calcium.

As long as you don’t get sugary or fruity ones, full-fat yogurt will fill your body with all the right nutrients. Combine it with homemade granola, fresh fruits, oats, and nut butter, and you’ll have a perfect snack or breakfast. If you want to cook something and the recipe requires sour cream, you can swap it for this type of yogurt for a healthier alternative.

However, since this food is high in fat, it can still raise your cholesterol levels if you eat it too often or too much. Try to be mindful of your portion sizes, and don’t eat low-fat yogurt more than 2-3 times a week.

Keep reading to discover other amazing unhealthy foods you can enjoy!

6. Rice

White rice has a bad reputation, but this doesn’t mean you should kick it out of your diet. You can consume white rice in moderation and not every day, and combining it with lean protein and veggies will taste wonderful and create a balanced, healthy, and tasty meal.

However, if you want to make sure that this is one of the so-called unhealthy foods you can enjoy without compromising your nutritional goals, you can swap white rice for red, black, or brown. These varieties are richer in magnesium, manganese, and selenium, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t indulge in this complex carb in moderation.

7. Cheese

Are you a cheese person? If the answer to this question is yes, you’ll be pleased to hear that this is one of the unhealthy foods you can indulge in without ruining your weight loss goals. While it’s true that the majority of cheeses are high in fat, you shouldn’t exclude them from your diet.

If you love cheddar, for instance, a slice of it on your salad will fill it with a good dose of calcium and protein. Parmesan, for instance, has a strong flavor, so you don’t need more than a small amount of it, especially for a delicious pasta dish, as we’ve previously talked about.

Cottage cheese and ricotta are lower in fat and calories than other types of cheeses and are amazing for spreading on crackers, bread, and wraps.

8. Chocolate

If you love dessert, you don’t have to kick chocolate out of your diet. This sweet treat is one of the so-called unhealthy foods you can enjoy without feeling any guilt.

The trick here is to choose a chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa or cacao solids to fill your body with all the antioxidants it needs. Eating 1 or 2 squares of dark chocolate after a meal can help improve your brain function, make you happier, improve your blood flow and lower your blood pressure, reduce your risk of heart disease, raise your HDL (also known as good cholesterol), and protect your LDL (bad cholesterol) from oxidation. Did anyone say dessert? Count me in!

What do you think about these so-called unhealthy foods you can enjoy guilt-free? They’re good for your body as long as you combine them with the right ingredients, don’t overeat, and have an active lifestyle.

Do you know any other unhealthy foods you can enjoy without a care in the world? Let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed reading this article and you want to check out something else from Nutrition in the USA, here’s a good post for you: 8 Instant Bloating Relief Drinks You Need to Try