Some 'unhealthy' foods, that are recommended by nutritionists

Registered dietitians are professionals in healthy eating, but many foods they eat will probably surprise you. Some are everyday foods you didn't think were healthy. Just follow their advice on Fox News channel.

Coffee

"Coffee has a reputation as being unhealthy, but in moderation and with the right add-ins, it's actually a superdrink," said Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, Health's contributing nutrition editor. Your morning brew is packed with antioxidants, which may be why regular coffee consumption is linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

To drink it and reap the rewards (without jittery side effects), Sass suggests drinking one cup in the morning and then switching to water or green tea. Skip the sugary flavored creamers and add in organic skim or non-dairy milks like almond or coconut.

Bacon

If you love bacon, this will make you jump for joy: Rachel Begun, RD, a food and nutrition consultant in Boulder, Colo. eats bacon. "It's got such a salty, smoky flavor that you can use small amounts to jazz up veggies—in fact, a little bacon can make you love veggies more," she said.

Yogurt

Chances are you always pick the nonfat yogurt. Chicago-area registered dietitian Renee Clerkin, used to do that, too. However, today she enjoys full fat on a regular basis. In fact, the extra fat helps her keep her weight in check. For one, she enjoys the taste more, so she doesn't have to eat as much to feel satisfied. Research also suggests that normal-weight women who consume whole-milk dairy products are less likely to gain weight with age, according to a Swedish study.

Potatoes

People tend to fear potatoes because of their reputation as a waist-widening starch. But Sass sees them in a different light. They provide important nutrients like energy-supplying B vitamins and iron, plus vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and fiber, and they are also a source of a fat-burning carb called resistant starch, she said. "Like fiber, resistant starch fills you up but it doesn't get digested and absorbed, and studies show it triggers your body to burn more fat," she says.

Ghee

The good news: ghee tastes so intense that you need just a few drops to adds loads of flavor to any food. Plus, one teaspoon has only 45 calories (a teaspoon of olive oil, for comparison, contains 40).

Pasta

Balance out pasta with lean protein (like fish or chicken), healthy fats (like olive oil), and plenty of fiber-rich veggies, advised Clerkin. As a rule, Clerkin matches the quantity of pasta she eats with an equal amount of vegetables. 

Raisins

Unlike many dried fruits, raisins aren't sugar bombs. Why? They're just dried grapes. Though most dried fruits contain added sugar or fruit juice, raisins usually do not. You need to mind portions, however. 

Sourdough bread

"It's healthier than whole wheat," said  Rachel Beller, RD. Shocking, we know, but here's why: sourdough is unique because it's made with a lactic acid starter that undergoes fermentation, which alters the bread's starches. "This helps prevent your blood sugar from spiking better than white or wheat bread," she said.

Hot chocolate

Yep, you've heard that chocolate is good for you, but many people still don't believe it, Beller said. "It's a health food that nutritionists prescribe," she says. It's brimming with disease-fighting polyphenols. You can find those same good-for-you nutrients in a cup of hot cocoa. 

Doughnuts

Doughnuts, cakes, and cookies will never be good for you, but the occasional sweet treat won't wreck your diet and, perhaps more importantly, will prevent you from ever feeling deprived.