Soft drinks
The average can of pop contains between 7 and 11 teaspoons of sugar. In
addition to dampening the health of the immune system, soft drinks are a major
contributor to the obesity epidemic we are currently witnessing in North
America. Start by eliminating pop from the diet (or making it the very
occasional treat) and substituting fresh, clean water or natural fruit juices.
Trans fats or partially hydrogenated fats
These “funny fats” have been chemically altered by the hydrogenation process. Trans fats or partially
hydrogenated fats can be found in margarine, packaged baked goods, cookies,
chips and vegetable shortening. Become a label reader to eliminate these
fats from the diet.
Refined flour
Refined flours such as those found in white bread and pasta have been milled
and stripped of their precious fibre, minerals and vitamins. Due to their lack
of fibre, these foods enter the bloodstream far too quickly creating an insulin
surge in the body. An over production of insulin results in weight gain,
fatigue, fogginess and can spill over into a myriad of other hormonal problems.
It is best to replace refined flours with whole grain products such as
multigrain, flax, kamut, spelt and brown rice bread and pasta.
Coffee
Coffee is the most commonly used drug in the world. Coffee contains the stimulant caffeine, which
makes you feel more alert. As with other addictive stimulants, when coffee is
removed from the diet, people report withdrawal symptoms such as headaches,
irritability and fatigue. Coffee is also a diuretic that causes water loss. The
rule of thumb is one cup of coffee depletes one glass of water from the body.
Instead of coffee, try drinking green tea for its natural energy boost. Green
tea is also a powerful antioxidant that can protect against certain diseases
such as cancer and heart disease.
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