18 Things That Are Actually Really Healthy, Despite Many People Thinking They're Not
With so many narratives about certain things being "bad" for you, I'm starting to forget that some of that just isn't true. Luckily, I stumbled upon one Reddit thread (which you can see here), where people listed the "unhealthy" things that are actually really good for you, and it's a refreshing reminder.
Related:
Here are 18 things that are perfectly healthy and fine to do, despite some people thinking otherwise:
Everything in moderation is key.
1."Doing nothing. Having a moment of silence."
–Turtleballoon123
2."Put the baby on the floor. Babies don't always need to be in a bouncer, swing, jumper, walker, rocker, chair, etc. They do great on the floor in a safe space."
–SleepXParalysis
3."It is really healthy to process some emotions and thoughts on your own. The people who have the most peace and clarity are people who can sort, experience, sit in, and evaluate their feelings without having to put it out to other people for other people to tell them what to think, feel, and do."
–OptmstcExstntlst
4."Frozen vegetables. It's seen as cheap and not as good as fresh, when in fact, it's almost always healthier than 'fresh' vegetables."
–Hufe
Related:
5."You do not have to show up to every argument you are invited to."
–Bravely_Default
6."Sleeping all day when you're exhausted. As my trainer says: If you're actually falling asleep, you clearly needed it."
–EndlesslyUnfinished
7."Potatoes. It's the oil and what we do to them that makes them high in calories and unhealthy."
–yamammiwammi
8."Popcorn. Without all the artificial butter flavorings and low-quality oils, of course. Popcorn is a whole grain, and super high in fiber. As far as snacks go, it's about as good as it gets."
–Its_Waffle
Related:
9."Being around dirt. Especially for kids. Exposure to a natural, somewhat dirty environment helps your immune system develop properly, which in turn helps reduce the chance of developing allergies or immune system diseases, and even reduces some mental health issues."
–the_original_retro
10."Salt. It's been demonized by the 'health' industry for years, but it is WILDLY necessary for damn near everything in your body."
–Secret-Spinach-5080
11."Having fat in your body, not an excessive amount, though. You don't need to be ripped with a completely flat stomach to be healthy."
–PlasticScheme3609
12."Chocolate.... the right kind. Dark chocolate with 80% or more cocoa has massive amounts of extremely healthy stuff in it. It makes your body release stem cells in the blood, which repair almost everything."
–BubiMannKuschelForce
13."Being angry. It's as valid an emotion as any, and sometimes you just need to be angry and let it out. Reacting in anger is never a good thing, though."
–TheYankunian
Related:
14."Saying no to children and letting them feel sadness sometimes so they can appreciate joy eventually."
"My mother-in-law's grandchildren are so spoiled that nothing can make them happy; they are completely self-absorbed and never say a thank you, and they can get absolutely anything they want anytime. I've never seen children like that, and I believe that while she has good intentions, this might be harmful later."
–cesonis
15."Giving your body a chance to fight off minor illnesses before turning immediately to antibiotics/virals. Like no, don't let that dog bite fester your arm right off your shoulder, but if you can walk through the sinus infection with a bottle of NyQuil, do that."
–alphaturducken
16."Playing video games in moderation."
–AromaticHydrocarbons
17."Not showering every day (you can wash sensitive spots every day, though, if you want to, that's understandable)."
–Seirazula
18."Fruit. There are people out there who think fruit has too much sugar 🙄 "
"I had a woman who full-on believed this sentence. She said, 'I'm being bad and getting a banana, it's my sugary treat.' BE SO REAL RN OMFG. Sugar isn't the enemy people!!! Moderation and sugar that our body can process easily is the key. Honey, maple syrup, sugar in fruit, and less processed/not bleached sugar are fine! Pure cane sugar is yummy, your generic sugar has so much stuff in it, the less processed (processed isn't bad since we need some of it), the better!"
–MrCabrera0695
What else belongs on this list? Let me know in the comments!
Also in Goodful:
Also in Goodful:
Also in Goodful:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
5 hours ago
- New York Post
Sick cruise ship passenger furious after getting hit with shocking bill: ‘What is this nightmare?'
They got more than they asked for. There's nothing worse than getting sick on vacation — especially if your getaway is out at sea. A frustrated traveler took to Reddit to share not only how bad their recent experience was getting ill on a Norwegian cruise ship — but also how expensive it was. Advertisement In the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit, the disgruntled cruise ship passenger warned, 'Don't get sick on a cruise ship' above a picture of a lengthy, itemized medical bill. This traveler left his vacation poorer and sicker. The original poster came off that cruise with a tan and a $9,750.86 bill. Advertisement If you look closely, it seems that 21 different tests were performed on the OP, which totaled around $8,761 — and then an additional $618.59 on medications and $380.27 on supplies. Yikes. It's unknown what exactly this cruise-goer came down with — but it obviously was bad. Many empathetic Reddit users took to the comment section of the post to share similar sickly experiences. Advertisement 'My neighbor had to be airlifted off a cruise ship the other year. Fortunately she is a 'veteran cruiser' and carries enough insurance to mitigate the diabolical costs. Sorry you have to absorb this, OP.' 'Over $100 to slap a fingertip pulse ox sensor on you?? What is this nightmare?' There was nothing relaxing about this cruise ship vacation. 'I love the new patient charge, where every patient is a new patient.' Advertisement To avoid getting slapped with a wildly expensive bill like this poor soul — there are a few precautions you can take to avoid getting sick before boarding your next cruise vacation. Use hand sanitizer and wash your hands thoroughly. 'Infectious diseases spread quickly on cruise ships because a lot of people share the same space day and night for an extended amount of time in relatively close contact,' Dr. Shalom Sokolow, an emergency medicine physician at Northwell's Phelps Hospital, told The Post. 'Always wash your hands after you have been in contact with other people and before you eat,' Sokolow said. While it's tempting to pig out on the buffet — Dr. Eric Ascher, a family medicine physician at Northwell's Lenox Hill Hospital, explained how it's 'also an easy way for the norovirus to spread because of all the shared utensils.' Sokolow agreed, adding, 'Plentiful and fun food is among the main appeals of a cruise and there is no reason to miss out.' 'However, there are a few basic steps to protect yourself from getting sick.'
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
The baby shower comment that ended a friendship—and what it reveals about how women fail each other
Reddit recently lit up with a post from a woman who walked out of a baby shower she co-hosted after the expectant mom made a pointed joke about her infertility. The post, which has since gained more than 2,100 upvotes and hundreds of comments, struck a nerve among women navigating the emotional complexities of friendship, fertility, and support. Infertility can be an isolating, deeply personal struggle—and it often unfolds quietly, even in close circles of friends. While many women do everything they can to show up for others' milestones, baby showers can be especially triggering. When that space of celebration becomes a setting for a public joke about what you don't have, it can feel like the grief has nowhere to hide. In this case, the joke came from someone who knew the poster's struggle. And when she chose to walk away instead of making a scene, some people said she overreacted. But the overwhelming response—from women who've been there—told a different story. AIO for walking out of a baby shower I co-hosted after the mom-to-be made a joke about my infertility? byu/flex0tx inAmIOverreacting The emotional labor of infertile friends in a motherhood-centered culture Infertility can be isolating. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 heterosexual women aged 15 to 49 with no prior births are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying. And while that's a statistic, the lived experience is far more layered. Infertile women are often expected to show up for gender reveals, baby showers, and birth announcements with a smile—and without flinching. But beneath the surface, there's often deep grief, compounded by cultural norms that center motherhood as a woman's ultimate identity. Dr. Jessica Zucker—a clinical psychologist, author of I Had a Miscarriage and Normalize It—has been a vocal advocate for breaking the silence around reproductive grief. On how social norms discourage genuine expression, she notes: 'We're groomed to just make things okay, push it away, push it aside, and move forward.' And she advises avoiding platitudes like 'at least you can get pregnant' or 'everything happens for a reason,' suggesting instead: 'How are you doing? I'm here for you. I'd like to hear about your experience, if and when you want.' Related: Mom-to-be asks if it's OK to uninvite SIL with infertility struggles from her baby shower Microaggressions among women: when jokes aren't just jokes Teasing someone about their lack of parenting experience might seem like low-stakes humor, but when the context is infertility, it crosses a line. These comments are microaggressions—small and subtle but deeply wounding. Therapist and boundary expert Nedra Glover Tawwab, LCSW, explains in her book Set Boundaries, Find Peace, that microaggressions often reflect deeper dynamics of judgment and shame. She emphasizes that speaking up about how they hurt is an important step in protecting your emotional well-being. Many women who've experienced infertility share that some of the most painful moments come from friends who, despite good intentions, minimize their reality or make their struggles the punchline. How to set boundaries when your pain is dismissed Boundaries are essential when a friendship becomes emotionally unsafe. And they're especially important when your vulnerability is met with mockery. So what does that look like in practice? According to Tawwab, boundaries don't always have to be confrontational. Sometimes they're as simple as removing yourself from a painful situation—which is exactly what this Reddit poster did. But if you want to preserve the relationship, a follow-up conversation might sound like: 'That comment really hurt. I need to take a step back and think about what I need from this friendship.' 'I know you may have meant it as a joke, but my infertility isn't something I'm okay being teased about.' If the response is defensive or dismissive, that's also information. What to say—and not say—to a friend struggling with infertility If you want to be a supportive friend to someone dealing with infertility, here's what experts recommend: Say: 'I'm here if you ever want to talk—or not talk—about it.' 'This must be so hard. I'm so sorry.' 'How can I support you?' Avoid: Jokes about parenting 'qualifications' Minimizing the pain: 'At least you know you can have fun trying!' Toxic positivity: 'It'll happen when it's meant to.' Related: Woman wants her baby shower gift back after her friend suffers a miscarriage in Reddit post Friendship shouldn't require emotional self-abandonment Ultimately, this Reddit post is about the way women are often expected to downplay their own grief to maintain someone else's joy. To stay silent in the face of pain. To smile through tears—and then apologize for making others uncomfortable. When a friend turns your pain into a punchline, it's okay to walk away. Solve the daily Crossword
Fast Company
11 hours ago
- Fast Company
X and Bluesky users are mad about the same New York Times ‘correction'—for exact opposite reasons
BY Did the New York Times deceive readers into needlessly despairing over the welfare of Gaza's children? Or did the Paper of Record fail readers by sowing doubt into its own reporting on those children, with a needless update to an important article? For many, the answer seems contingent on which social media site they prefer—X or Bluesky. The precise, bizarro-world opposition of the two reactions reveals a lot about how a public narrative takes hold in 2025's wildly fractured info environment. Just over a decade ago, BuzzFeed ignited a raging debate online with a post about The Dress. Some observers were sure that the garment in question was white and gold; others swore it was actually blue and black. Both sides argued endlessly. It was the ideal introduction to an era in which everyone could look at the exact same image and see something completely different. Now, Americans are so ideologically polarized, our competing realities each have their own bespoke microblogging platforms. Both reacted strongly to an update issued by the Times on July 29. The update was to a July 25 article with the headline: Gazans Are Dying of Starvation. In its delicate approach to perhaps the world's most divisive issue, the article soberly described the claims and counter-claims around the dearth of food and medical aid in Gaza, but it left no ambiguity around severe malnourishment in the devastated region—especially among children. The article arrived at a critical moment, when even some of Israel's fiercest advocates, including journalist Bari Weiss and President Donald Trump, have expressed concern over the starvation crisis. Then came the editor's note. A controversial update The article's conclusion now carries a post-script about one of the many children depicted in it: an 18-month-old boy whose spinal column is horrifyingly visible through his back. 'This article has been updated to include information about Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq, a child in Gaza suffering from severe malnutrition,' the announcement begins. 'After publication of the article, The Times learned from his doctor that Mohammed also had pre-existing health problems.' Those health issues are never precisely named, though the text of the article now mentions that the problems 'affect[ed] his brain and his muscle development.' The updated version still clearly states, though, that the toddler's 'health deteriorated rapidly in recent months as it became increasingly difficult to find food and medical care,' and that 'the medical clinic that treated him said he suffers from severe malnutrition.' In other words, nothing about the update contradicts the thrust of the article in any way. However, the update arrived following a PR pressure campaign about the article, culminating in a July 27 item in the New York Post with this headline: 'Viral images of starving Gaza boy don't tell the whole story because he suffers from genetic disorders, critics say.' In response to the Post tweeting that item, popular X account StopAntisemitism, known for doxxing people who express pro-Palestinian views and agitating to get them fired, posted an image of a healthier-looking child standing near the malnourished toddler in question, and accusing NYT of cropping him out. The Times editors now found themselves in a defensive position. Issuing an editor's note or an update is no light matter, as either runs the risk of being conflated with a correction. While the former typically involves added context or even a mere clarification on a story, the latter is an acknowledgment that something in the story was wrong and has been corrected. Even though the purpose of a correction is to be transparent with readers about factual errors, corrections are often seen by observers as an admission of wrongdoing on the part of news organizations Whatever internal deliberations at the Times ultimately led to the update, its effects were quickly seen in two very different responses. A tale of two Twitters Although the New York Times PR account on Bluesky never posted about the update, the one on X did, and screenshots of the tweet quickly migrated to the other site, where thousands of accounts began circulating and condemning it. Mileage may vary depending on who one follows on Bluesky, but posts about the NYT update were practically inescapable among the site's politics and media contingent. Some called out the cruelty of treating a child's pre-existing condition as some kind of gotcha —as though children with health issues are more easily malnourished or that including them to indicate devastation is journalistic malpractice. They pointed out how, on the other hand, that nutrition is even more important for such children. Others drew attention to how the update's wording mirrored those who had dismissed the severity of Covid on the basis that many who died from it had pre-existing conditions. Meanwhile, the reaction on X was a photo negative of the one on Bluesky. Although plenty of X users shared the same concerns as those on the other site, an abundance of X's more visible residents— the algorithm-boosted premium subscribers —were just as outraged as their counterparts, only for inverse reasons. The general tone among many responding to the update was fury that the Times had apparently manufactured sympathy by withholding information. Here, the editor's note primarily seemed to be received as a correction—and a nefarious one at that. It was as though the omission of one child's questionably relevant medical condition had invalidated the article's description of 'Hollow-eyed, skeletal children languish[ing] on hospital beds or [being] cared for by parents, who gaze helplessly at protruding ribs and shoulder blades, and emaciated limbs resembling brittle sticks.' Several X users demanded a retraction or firings, and parroted StopAntisemitism's claims that the Times had strategically cropped out a healthier child from the offending photo. It was a dark mirroring of the reaction on the other platform, reflecting the fullness of our co-existing realities. But which one would be absorbed into the broader narrative? The loudest voice wins The NYT article arrived at a tipping point in U.S. attitudes about the Israel-Hamas war. As of July 29, according to Gallup, only 32% of Americans support Israel's military action in Gaza —a new low since the company started polling the issue in November 2023. The more the focus remains on famine and starving children, the more pressure on the U.S. government to address in a meaningful way a humanitarian crisis it has helped perpetuate. By issuing an update to what may be the most significant article on the malnutrition epidemic, the Times has now given that 32% a cudgel against rising sympathy toward Gazans: the whiff of a 'media hoax.' Because X has magnitudes more users than its competitor, it's still considered closer to the mainstream, with Bluesky cast as the scrappy woke fringe —MSNBC to X's Fox News. And since the loudest voice tends to win these days, the actual Fox News is already echoing the X position that NYT deceived the world about what is happening in Gaza. It's a cynical way to treat a literal matter of life and death for so many—and unlike an article in the Paper of Record, there can be no mitigating update for dying from starvation. The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joe Berkowitz is a contributing writer for Fast Company, where he explores all things digital culture, especially how we live, work, and do business in a rapidly changing information environment. His coverage runs the gamut from profiles of interesting businesses and creators, the streaming wars, social media, as well as the objects and technology that define our lives. More
