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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Do you put much thought into what you eat?

You get up at 5 a.m., shower, get dressed, make lunch for the kids, feed them breakfast, get them ready and drive them to school then drive to work. On your way, you drive through for some coffee and a muffin as your breakfast, which you eat as you drive to work and barely make it to your desk on time! Is this you?


Well, don’t worry, you are not alone! That is the fast-paced society that we live in here in North America. That’s why most of us don’t put much thought into what we eat, as long as we get something to eat, right?


You might be surprised to learn that an average 80% of your health is attributed to what you eat and about 20% based on physical activity. It is the smart combination of both that keeps you fit and at your ideal weight.


But what do I eat?


Do you find yourself confused by food manufacturers and media who are preaching to you about healthy eating? I don’t blame you!


One day we are told to give up all fats. Then we are told that we must give up carbs, then we are told that some rare berries will cure all health issues.


Guess what? None of these statements are true!


Our body needs fat to burn fat! We must be careful to consume good fat and not bad fat. But bottom line is we need good fat to burn fat. Examples of good fat are real butter, whole eggs and avocados.


Carbs (good carbs) are also essential to our bodies. We need good carbs (ie. spelt) to break down protein. If we don’t have enough carbs and the protein is not broken down properly, this can cause ketosis, which may lead to kidney damage, accelerated breakdown of body protein & bone, and unpleasant gastrointestinal problems.


As for the berry superjuices that are on the market nowadays, I suggest you do your research before relying on these products for health results. Pub Med is a great resource for peer reviewed clinical studies. If there are no studies, consume with caution. They may be doing some good but as with most everything, I suggest you consume in moderation.


The bottom line is that your health is largely dependent upon what you eat and therefore, I suggest you take the time to read the labels!


Don’t be confused by misleading product labels and health claims, skip these and go straight to the nutritional labels on the back.


The nutritional ingredient list will give you everything you need to know about the quality of the products you are buying.


It’s best to stick to raw vegetables, fruit, nuts & seeds, whole grains and lean meats. This way you don’t have the hassle of reading labels. Realistically, most of us don’t have time to cook all our meals with raw foods so learning how to read nutritional labels is important.


Here are 5 ingredients that you should be careful to consume. Reduce your consumption, or better yet eliminate these ingredients altogether.


High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

HFCS is a manmade sugar, derived predominantly from genetically modified corn. It has been shown to promote binges and hysterical hunger, and wrecks havoc on your blood sugar levels, promoting fat storage.


Did you know that the introduction of HFCS directly paralleled a 47% increase in Type 2 Diabetes cases as well as an 80% increase in obesity. Food manufacturers use HFCS in many mainstream products, including sauces, salad dressings, yogurt, soft drinks, juices, processed baked & snack goods, cereals, crackers and more.


Hydrogenated Fat / Trans Fat

Hydrogenated and trans fats have undergone such extensive processing that the chemical structure has changed such that it is foreign and destructive to human physiology. I would suggest you avoid any product which contains “hydrogenated” ingredients.


Aspartame

Did you know that aspartame was denied 8 times by the FDA before being approved in 1973? This was because many scientists objected the approval, claiming that aspartame hadn't been proven safe for use as a food additive.


Now after being on the market for more than 3 decades, the proof is in the pudding! One of the biggest problems with aspartame is that it is addictive, therefore causing people to eat/drink more of the products that contain them.


In addition, an MIT neuroscientist, Richard Wurtman, researched the effects of aspartame and concluded that it promotes cravings for high calorie and carbohydrate foods. So although aspartame is calorie-free it still causes insulin to be released, whose job is to stow away sugar – when this sugar is not available, the result is often hypoglycemia and severe hunger.


This defeats the purpose of the sugar substitute, doesn’t it? But the bigger concern is that aspartame has also been linked to more serious issues such as seizures and even death. I suggest you do your homework and look into the possible issues with the use of sugar substitutes before you reach for them.


White Sugar

Although more natural than sugar substitutes, white sugar isn’t much better. It comes from the juice of a sugar cane plant which has undergone an intensive refining process. In this process all of the enzymes, fiber, vitamins and minerals are destroyed, rendering it nutritionally void. It’s also high in calories, which your body loves to store away in fat cells.


Refined sugar has been linked to a weakened immune system, hyperactivity, ADD, mental and emotional disorders, cavities, hypoglycemia, enlargement of the liver and kidneys, and an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, not to mention weight gain.


Raw natural sugar is your best option but even then, in moderation.


White Flour

White flour comes from natural whole wheat that has been stripped of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. This results in yet another nutritionally void product that is packed with calories that release quickly into your system, creating a spike in blood sugar. As you know, this promotes fat storage and leads to hunger and cravings. All things you want to avoid.


If you cut these 5 ingredients out of your diet, you'll be pleased with the results. You will lose weight, have more energy and feel better overall.


If you would like to expedite your fitness and weight loss results, call or email us today?


To your health,

Nadia

Your weight loss partner

1-877-405-4471

healthyweightdancingfeet@gmail.com

http://healthyweightdancingfeet.com

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