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When it comes to making healthier food decisions, watch out for high-fructose corn syrup, aspartame, neotame, Splenda, sucralose, partially hydrogenated fat, and fully hydrogenated fat. If a food contains any of these, find a different option. Also watch for lots of hard-to-pronounce chemicals. This indicates a high level of processing, plus additives and preservatives that might harm your health. When you choose foods that have been minimally processed – things like whole grain breads and cereals, fresh and frozen produce, beans, rice, seeds, nuts, butter, eggs, and lean cuts of meat – and buld your diet around those foods, you will be better, be healthier, and have more energy. However there are any number of “health” foods out there claiming to be doing you good when really they may be doing you harm. 1. Oatmeal Oatmeal is packed with protein and fiber. It is rich in a variety of nutrients like magnesium and selenium. It has a relatively low glycemic load, which means it won’t spike your blood sugar and it will help you feel full longer. It also doesn’t trigger a lot of inflammation in your body. However, that’s only if you eat natural, plain, whole grain oats … the kind you cook on the stove and add your own raisins and brown sugar to. If you buy flavored, instant oatmeal thinking it is a healthy choice for your heart and your whole body, then you are in for some disappointing news. Most of the calories in flavored oatmeal come from sugar, and the processing that makes it “instant” reduces fiber content. 2. Yogurt You’ve probably seen the commercials promising that if you just eat more yogurt, you’ll live longer or lose weight. But, much of the yogurt on the market is packed with high-fructose corn syrup, making it high in calories and rough on your body. Yogurt can be a great choice – just opt for the plain kind and mix in a little fresh fruit and honey. You’ll get less processed sugar and fewer preservatives while still enjoying a healthy dose of protein, calcium, and positive bacteria. 3. Fat-Free and Low-Fat Foods Stroll down any aisle of your grocery store and you’re bound to see a ton of packages with “Fat Free” and “Low Fat” emblazoned on them. These foods pretend that nutrition is measured by fat content alone, which just isn’t true. People fall for it, though. Often they end up consuming a bunch of extra calories, unnecessary chemicals, industrially altered fats, and very little in the way of nutrients their bodies can actually use. Avoid “Fat-Free” and “Low-Fat” foods, unless the label says “naturally low in fat” or “a naturally fat-free food.” 4. Butter Substitutes These days, grocery stores offer more butter substitutes than brands of actual butter. Margarine, and “butter spreads” aren’t real foods; that is, they do not exist in nature. They become popular as part of the marketing push in the early part of the twentieth century. Butter is real food. It is high in fats but they are natural fats that your body knows how to digest and utilize in moderation. Butter substitutes often contain artificial ingredients that are not particularly good for you. 5. Egg Substitutes Eggs – real eggs that come from chickens – are a nearly perfect food. They are rich in protein and a variety of vitamins and minerals. The have an excellent balance of amino acids. They contain natural cholesterol which your body can use to make hormones and other useful compounds. Diet gurus decided that since real eggs contain cholesterol, they must be bad for you. Hence, factory-made “egg beaters” that consist of egg whites in a carton with some preservatives and seasonings are billed as health food. Just ridiculous! If you want egg whites, buy real eggs and separate them at home but don’t be afraid to eat the whole egg. It is good for you. Really. 6. Sugar-Free Foods Too much sugar in your diet is indeed bad for your body. But the way to solve that problem is to eat fewer sweets, not to load up on chemically sweetened foods. Again, food manufactures label these foods as though the fact they are sugar-free means they are healthy to eat. Don’t be fooled. Sugar substitutes can actually cause you to overeat and in some people they trigger neurological problems or allergic reactions. 7. Fake Olive Oil Extra virgin olive oil has fantastic health benefits. Good quality olive oil may help to lower your cholesterol, prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing (which can, in turn, prevent it from damaging arteries), and lower blood pressure. But a study done at UC Davis found that more than two-thirds of extra virgin olive oil imported to the United States is either made from low-quality olives and/or other ingredients altogether, like soybean oil! Here are the brands that passed UC Davis’ test: Corto Olive, California Olive Ranch, Kirkland Organic, Lucero, and McEvoy Ranch Organic. 8. Microwave Popcorn You hay hear heard that microwave popcorn is a healthy snack. Unfortunately, it is just not true. Even if you find a brand that doesn’t use partially hydrogenated oils, the lining of the package contains chemicals that may cause infertility and have caused a number of cancers in animal testing. If you want popcorn, whip out a skillet or an air popper and pop it the old-fashioned way. When you do, you won’t believe how much that microwave stuff tastes like cardboard in comparison. Think of each time you eat, as an opportunity to improve your health. You will live longer, feel better, and achieve a more optimal life overall. In addition, we should take steps to slow aging to the extent we can. Our bodies already contain the information for how to effectively combat stressful situations such as oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. That information is stored in our genes. The secret lies in being able to instruct cells regarding the implementation of that information, allowing you to keep your primary vehicle, your body, running well – able to withstand the “rusting” of aging and taking you where you want to go for many years to come. As mentioned in a previous posts on this blog, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Chief Medical Correspondent at CNN, has reported that “Practical Immortality may now be within our grasp.” So now the question becomes, “how do we slow the rate of aging and avoid the frailty that would make longevity less desirable?” With antioxidant supplements, we can slow our rate of aging; with a nutrition and fitness routine, we can avoid frailty and improve our health; and with an industry leading home business opportunity, we can make great money and generate financial wealth. I Hope You Enjoy the Posts and I Trust You Will Find Them Insightful! Let me Know What You Think.
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