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Kale
By now, if you don’t know that kale is good for you, you’ve probably been living under a rock. The leafy veggie has been linked to preventing everything from cancer to cognitive decline. Plus you can add it to smoothies, stir-fry and soups. The downside? The high fibre content helps keep your bowels moving regularly … maybe too regularly! If you’re not used to eating fibre-filled foods on a consistent basis, go slow: stick to half a cup or 1 cup cooked portion per day.
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Carrots and Sweet Potatoes
It may sound crazy, but eating too many of these veggies can quite literally turn you orange! (Pumpkins are another offender.) It’s a condition called carotenosis, in which your skin pigment takes on a yellow or orange hue. The best way to avoid it? Mix up your plate with other colourful fruits and veggies!
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Beans and Lentils
The B vitamins, minerals and fibre in beans are great for your health, but because they take a long time to digest, they can also cause gas and bloating. But the soluble fibre makes it easy for ‘good’ bacteria to grow in your gut, so just try half a cup of the veggies, cooked, to avoid discomfort.
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Garlic
These chronic disease-fighting plants may be touted for their health and weight-loss benefits, but they can really kill your breath. While it’s not news that garlic has a lingering taste, it tends to be less potent when cooked, so skip the raw or powdered forms.
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Pine Nuts
Pine nuts can cause a metallic-taste in your mouth called ‘pine mouth’ or metallogeusia for anywhere between a few days to two weeks! Not to worry – some research has linked the phenomenon to imported pine nuts, rancidity and even lack of processing. (A tip: sometimes toasting them can help!) But if you’re sensitive, you’re better off sticking to peanuts, almonds or other types of tree nuts.
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Red Wine
The resveratrol in red wine may protect you from chronic disease, but drinking it in excess can lead to dehydration and weight gain (one glass = 628kJ). So stick to one glass per day. Plus wine can also disrupt your sleep cycle, which can leave you feeling extra groggy.
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Chocolate
Cocoa flavanols, the good-for-you antioxidants found in chocolate (especially ones that are at least 70% cacao!), have been linked to a healthy heart, weight regulation and even boosting your mood. But if you’re susceptible to heartburn, be warned: Chocolate can trigger gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), so you may need to go easy on this super-treat.
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Asparagus
Does your pee smell funky after eating asparagus? This folate-rich veggie releases sulphur-based compounds during digestion, which creates that particularly odour-rich smell. The only cure: drink plenty of water to dilute it so you’ll notice it less.
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Beetroot
Beeturia – or when your pee turns pink or red after eating beetroot – is estimated to occur in just over 10% of the population. But interestingly, research has found that people who are iron-deficient are more affected, and the pigment change can range from bright red to barely-noticeable. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned, but beeturia is rarely something to worry about – despite those few seconds of bathroom terror when you forget you had beetroot at lunch!
This article originally appeared in Good Housekeeping USA.
