How
much thought do you put into what you eat?
If you want to
get into great shape then you'll be interested to know that 80% of
your fitness results are attributed to your diet.
In our
fast-paced society, eating is often done with little or no thought
as to what exactly it is being ingested. Excess body fat is a direct
outcome of this hurried, poor nutrition. Even if you have the best
intentions with your diet, you are likely frustrated and fed up with
extra pounds.
I don't blame you for being confused about
what you should eat. The media surely doesn't help. One day the
talking heads want you to give up all fats. The next day carbs are
the culprit, and then acai berries become the holy grail of weight
loss.
The food manufacturers increase confusion by printing
misleading labels and bogus health claims.
Sometimes it
seems like the whole system is set up to confuse and frustrate us
into buying the latest and greatest packaged food.
The
bottom line is that your physique is largely a result of what you
eat, so the foods that you put into your body should be carefully
selected.
It's time to re-examine what you eat.
It
all starts with reading nutritional labels. The nutritional content
and ingredient list will give you everything you need to know about
the quality of the food item.
I've outlined 5 ingredients
that should raise a red flag when you turn over that package and
find them listed:
Red Flagged Ingredient #1: High
Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) HFCS is a manmade sugar,
derived predominantly from genetically modified corn. The sweet
concoction has been shown to promote binges and hysterical hunger,
and wrecks havoc on your blood sugar levels, promoting fat storage.
The introduction of HFCS into our food supply directly
paralleled a 47% spike in Type 2 Diabetes cases as well as an 80%
increase in obesity. Food manufacturers use HFCS in many mainstream
products, including the following:
- Sauces (including ketchup)
- Yogurt
- Energy Bars
- Soft Drinks / Fruit Juices
- Processed baked goods
- Cereals
- Crackers
- Ice Cream
- Salad Dressing
- Most packaged snack foods
Red Flagged
Ingredient #2: Hydrogenated Fat / Partially Hydrogenated Fat (Trans
Fat) Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats have
undergone such extensive processing that the chemical structure has
changed from a “cis” shape, which the human body recognizes and
utilizes, to a “trans” shape, which is foreign and destructive to
human physiology.
Check each food label for the word
‘hydrogenated' and avoid it diligently. Cutting out hydrogenated
fats is a simple set towards looking and feeling your best.
Red Flagged Ingredient #3: Aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that was denied 8
times by the FDA before being approved in 1973. Many scientists
objected the approval, claiming that aspartame hadn't been proven
safe for use as a food additive.
MIT neuroscientist, Richard
Wurtman, researched the effects of aspartame and concluded that it
promotes cravings for foods high in calories and carbohydrates.
Though aspartame is calorie-free it still causes insulin to be
released, which job is to stow away sugar – when this sugar is not
available, the result is often hypoglycemia and severe hunger. Not
exactly a recipe for weight loss.
Red Flagged
Ingredient #4: White Sugar White sugar comes from the
juice of a sugar cane plant that has undergone an intensive refining
process. In this process all of the enzymes, fiber, vitamins and
minerals are destroyed, rendering it nutritionally void. White sugar
is also extremely 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, dental cavities, hypoglycemia, enlargement of the liver
and kidneys, and an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. All
that and it leads to weight gain.
Red Flagged
Ingredient #5: White Flour White flour comes from
natural whole wheat that has been stripped of nutrients, vitamins
and minerals. This results in a 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 hysterical hunger and cravings. You don't need that.
Once you cut these 5 items out of your diet, you'll be
pleased with the results. Expect to lose weight, to have more energy
and to feel better than you have in a long time.
If you're
serious about looking and feeling your best through purifying your
diet, then focus on eating real food items. Real foods include lean
meats, vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts and seeds.
Would you like to expedite your fitness and weight loss
results? Call or email today to get started on a fitness program
that will quickly transform your body.
Remember, while
nutrition is vitally important for weight loss, true results are
achieved through a combination of both nutrition and challenging,
progressive exercise.
Here's a
real food item for you! If asparagus isn't a mainstay in your diet,
then it's time you make it one. Asparagus is packed with folic acid,
which is necessary for blood cell formation. Fresh squeezed lime
makes this dish refreshing and delicious. This recipe only takes 15
minutes, perfect for weekday dinners. 
