Obesity is an epidemic. If you are struggling with your weight, you have probably fallen victim to today´s toxic food environment. It´s not your fault!
What´s Wrong With Our Food Environment? Processed carbohydrates - grains that are ground to flour, stripped of their nutrients and then packaged intobreads, cookies, crackers, cakes, muffins, bagels, etc.
Addictive foods - sugar, artificial sweeteners, colors and flavors.
Unhealthy fats - partially hydrogenated fats (trans fats), vegetable oils, olestra.
Studies suggest that the next generation will live shorter lives than their parents. This has never happened in the history of humankind!
These children will also succumb to more chronic disorders like Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, heart conditions and joint deterioration.
We must set an example. You can start making the change today by losing weight the healthy way. This is the only way you will change the food environment in your home, and this is the food environment you can control.
Some Amazing Benefits to Losing Weight the Healthy Way:
• More energy to do the things you love
• Looking and feeling bette
r • Fitting into your old jeans
• Playing with your kids more
• Having more self-confidence
• Having less illness
• Improved digestion
• Beautiful skin
• Strong nails and hair
• A sharp mind
• How to Get Started?
Learn about the ingredients in your food. Do your own research or hire a health coach to teach you. You must become a savvy food shopper who understands some basic principles of nutrition.
Top Six Criteria When Reading an Ingredient List Keep in mind that ingredients are listed in order of quantity present in the product, from the greatest amount to the least.
The fewer the total number of ingredients, the better.
The first or second ingredient should be what the packaging claims the product to be.
If the first ingredient is sugar, put it back!
If sugar is mentioned many times by different names, it might as well be the first ingredient.
If the first ingredient says "enriched wheat flour". think twice.
If there´s a long list of scary-sounding ingredients you can´t pronounce, not a good idea!
Say "NO!" to artificial sweeteners, colorings and flavorings - they mess with your brain!
Nutrients are what feed our body so it can perform all its functions.
Nutrients make our digestive system happy and our digestive system is responsible for so much of our health.
We absorb vitamins and minerals through the small intestine. The intestine is full of bacteria that help with digestion. The composition of these bacteria is greatly influenced by the food we eat. The healthier the bacteria in our gut, the better our digestion.
The wall of the intestine is lined with finger-like projections called villi that are responsible for absorbing nutrients, but can also be damaged by the foods we eat. The wall is composed of a semi-permeable lining that allows the good stuff in and keeps the bad stuff out. The wrong foods for your body can rupture the lining allowing large food particles out into our blood stream. The immune system launches an attack against these large food particles, as it would with any foreign pathogens like viruses, bacteria, funguses and the like. The constant activation of the immune system as we ingest foods causes inflammation that leads to obesity and a whole host of other chronic disorders.
Keeping your digestive system healthy allows your body to absorb vitamins and minerals. Eating nutrient-rich foods will nourish your body´s organs, keeping you healthy and in control of cravings so that you can lose weight, gain energy and feel great.