TREAT YOURSELF WELL... AVOID PROCESSED FOODS LIKE THE PLAGUE!

I am going to make a bold statement. Processed foods are greatly dangerous because they are still considered food. And because of that, the general public actually focuses on the caloric intake and not the diminished nutrient make-up of these altered foods. This my friends, is very unfortunate!

There have been a number of sayings that may have caught your attention in the past concerning WHITE bread, like: “The whiter the bread, the sooner you’re dead” or even “quick death”. But, interestingly, and more importantly, white bread isn’t the only problem. There are a number of white foods, and/or processed foods, that reek havoc with your health. Foods like refined flour, pasteurized and homogenized milk, processed salt, vegetable oils, and of course, sugar are equally as detrimental. Let’s take a look at each of these processed foods and see where the problems lie, and discuss what might be better choices.

Processed Food #1

Problem:

Refined Flour can be found in the majority of convenience foods in America; including breads, pastries, and cereals. Once the bran and germ are removed from the grain the food has lost all of its nutritional value, making it an empty calorie, if not a “naked” calorie. Manufacturers commonly refer to refined flours as “bleached and enriched” and you will find this terminology listed in the ingredients of cheaper breads and baked goods.

Answer:

If you want to consume bread, look for breads that are made from organic and “sprouted” grains. These breads will be much safer and actually have some nutritional value.

Processed Food #2

Problem:

Pasteurized and Homogenized milk is far from the wholesome and natural state that comes from the cow or goat. Commercialized milk should be considered a “convenience” food as it is so altered it has little to no nutritional value. Pasteurization kills beneficial enzymes, bacteria, vitamins in the milk. Homogenization so drastically changes the make-up of the milk that it can cause digestive issues. Additionally, unless the milk says “organic” on the container, you are consuming hormones and antibiotics that are passed on by the cow or goat. Plus an additional note, your dairy should always come from grass-fed animals, if not; expect the health of the animal to be compromised. If the animal’s health is compromised, YOUR health will be compromised!

Answer: If you drink milk because you want to increase the Calcium in your diet, increase the amount of green leafy vegetables instead. These vegetables will increase your nutrient intake for the day with very few added calories and with no added sugar. If you love dairy products, find a farmer who produces milk from free range grass fed cows or goats. Make sure that there are no hormones, antibiotics or any type of pesticides being used as well.

Processed Food #3

Problem:

Processed salt has very little nutritional value. Sodium Chloride (NaCl), or processed salt is so altered that our bodies have a difficult time ridding itself of it. This may lead to joint issues and kidney problems. Table salt may also contain aluminum-based anti-caking agents, dextrose, silicoaluminate and sodium acetate that may cause a plethora of health issues.

Answer: Buy an unprocessed Sea Salt. It contains numerous trace minerals that are beneficial to your body.

Processed Food #4

Problem:

Vegetable Oil is an oil that we consume way too much of in America. Polyunsaturated fats, including vegetable oils (a huge source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), are very unstable and cannot be heated, so you SHOULD NOT cook with them. Research today links heated vegetable oils with rancidity which increases the free radical make-up in the body. Margarine is a vegetable oil based product that is loaded with trans-fatty acids, making resembles plastic more than a fat, and should be avoided completely. One reason for the rise of heart disease in the U.S. is the inappropriate ratio of Omega-6 Essential Fats compared to Omega-3 Essential Fats. Most people would benefit greatly by just decreasing their Omega-6’s in their diet.

Answer: A best way to increase your quality fat intake, and improve your Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio is to is to consume organic green vegetables. Eggs and meat from free range chickens and animals produce an excellent source of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids. Other options for improved Omega 3 intake are; wild salmon, herring and sardines. If cooking, use coconut oil, ghee or lard. The top mono-unsaturated oil is Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which is much better choice than Canola (altered).

Processed Food #5

Problem:

Only 100 years ago we consumed just 4 pounds of sugar a YEAR.

Today, the average American consumes 150-170 pounds of sugar per YEAR!

Looking at this statistic alone, it is easy to see why Americans, both adults and children alike, are struggling with obesity and adult-onset diabetes. Sugar causes numerous issues, too great to speak of today, but know this; sugar is TOXIC, it is a DRUG and it is a POISON. Nothing good comes from it, NOTHING. Our ability to resist disease decreases as we continue to displace real nutrient dense foods with sugar, leaving us with a damaged metabolism. Now, if you are thinking that consuming High Fructose Corn Syrup is a better choice, think again, as it is even more processed than sugar and will damage your health even more quickly than white sugar!

Answer: The answer is not Artificial Sweeteners, as they could easily have been listed as a “quick death” white food product. For sugar alternatives, You may want to try, Stevia, which is a beneficial sweet herb. Also, try consuming organic fruits and root vegetables, like sweet potatoes, carrots, or even beets. If your diet is optimal, you won’t feel like you need or want sugar anyway!

Proper nutrition is the primary factor when making lifestyle changes to improve your health.

Reduce, if not remove, the preceding “white”, and/or processed foods from your diet and replace them with the “colorful” options and you will see and feel the improvement.