NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Think avocados pack on the pounds and potatoes are empty calories?

These foods are getting a bad rap. Nutritionist and New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Sass visited The Couch to debunk the worst food myths. Her book, “Sass Yourself Slim,” is devoted to showing dieters which nutrient-rich foods you can eat – including chocolate.

Potatoes: You may think of potatoes as nothing but a carb. The truth is, they’re relatively low in calories and have fat burning carbohydrates.

Corn: Corn isn’t a “throw away vegetable.” Corn is a whole grain, which packs twice the antioxidant power of apples.

Avocados: Yes, they’re fatty – but it’s the good kind of fat. Avocados are nutrient boosters filled with heart healthy fats.

Beans: Don’t stay away from beans because you think they’re high in sodium. The powerhouse food is full of protein, fiber and antioxidants. People who eat beans regularly have slimmer waistlines and a smaller chance of being obese.

For more food fact versus fiction, check out Cynthia’s full interview below!