Spring break is around the corner. Rich foods, sweets, and some ice-cold beverages are probably on the menu for a lot of people in the next few weeks. As winter draws to a close, and we welcome in the spring, we all need to be thinking about ways we can improve our health. A good mindset, regular exercise, and a vacation or two or three provide a good trajectory towards walking that Abundant Path.
In addition, there is no better time than the present to be thinking about diet. The mother of disease is inflammation, and sadly, much of what we eat produces the perfect incubator for poor health. The cornerstone of healthy eating is consuming foods that are as close as possible to how nature made them and avoiding the extras. If you are looking to improve your diet in 2022, here’s a list of the six ingredients that should be limited or eliminated.
1. High Fructose Corn Syrup-High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is an artificial sugar made from corn syrup. Health experts believe that added sugar and HFCS are key factors contributing to today’s obesity epidemic. High-fructose corn syrup and added sugar have also been linked to many other chronic health issues, including diabetes and heart disease.
2. Trans Fats-Trans fat is widely recognized as the worst type of fat you can eat. Unlike other dietary fats, trans fat increases your “bad” cholesterol and also lowers your “good” cholesterol. A daily regiment of foods loaded with trans fat increases your risk of heart disease, the leading killer of adults. The more trans fat you consume, the greater your risk of heart and blood vessel disease.
3. Artificial Flavors-Many artificial flavorings come from petroleum and contain numerous other chemical ingredients. Choosing foods made from truly natural flavors like fruit juices, herbs, and plant extracts is the way to go. A good rule to remember is this. If you can’t pronounce it, you shouldn’t eat it.
4. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)-Over the years, MSG has been somewhat controversial. Health experts believe that consuming foods containing MSG can contribute to a long list of potential side effects, including obesity, increased blood pressure, and asthma attacks. Our favorite comfort foods (fast food, chips, salty snacks) are loaded with MSG, so it’s essential to be aware and limit our intake. An occasional potato chip won’t kill us, but it’s better to incorporate whole, healthy foods into our weekly diets.
5. Artificial Colors-Sports drinks, candy, and brightly colored cookies and cakes are full of artificial food dyes. The consumption of foods with artificial coloring has increased by 500 percent over the past 50 years. Derived from petroleum, the substances that put color in our foods have caused some controversy in recent years. Studies have shown that artificial dyes cause serious side effects, including hyperactivity, allergies, and even cancer.
6. Preservatives-Over the years, the preservatives used in foods have been studied to determine their long-term health impact. Some research has indicated that preservatives contain cancer-causing agents, but this isn’t widely agreed upon in the medical community. Preservatives have been shown to contribute to obesity and hyperactivity. It isn’t realistic that we can cut preservatives completely from our diets, but it is possible to reduce our intake. Incorporating fresh fruits, vegetables, juices, fresh lean meats, and low-fat dairy is our best route for better health.
If you got value from this article, make sure you comment below with your number one takeaway or feel free to send me a personal message as I check each and every one of them.
To your health!
Bill
205-317-1031
