Quick Tips for a Healthier You

Now that ‘going green’ and ‘organic eating’ are household terms in mainstream America and every co-worker’s cousin’s sister is the self-proclaimed expert on what’s ‘good’ and ‘bad’ for you, let’s take a look at a few of the not-so-obvious things you can adjust in your diet to gain the edge over these know-it-alls in your quest for healthier living.

1) Replace all sugar, including refined, brown, ‘organic’, etc., with any of the following: Agave nectar (make sure the ingredient section says “100% agave nectar”), Stevia (comes in powder and liquid forms and is safe for diabetics), Raw Manuka Honey (contains healing properties that other raw honeys do not), fresh fruits/fresh squeezed fruit juice and/or dried fruits. There are a wide variety of naturally sweetened dessert bars, baked goods and even ice cream available now to ease this transition. Sugar equals fat in all the wrong places, period!

2) Replace all bleached starches with whole-grain versions including rice, pasta, bread, etc. Better yet are gluten-free products. Gluten is a toxic protein in wheat which can cause damage to the intestinal lining. Our bodies were designed to create antibodies to fight the toxic protein in gluten and research has shown that an overload of this toxic protein can cause in excess of 200 different diseases (most common is Celiac Disease). Many, many people are unknowingly allergic to gluten. If you’re not sure, completely stop consuming it for a week and then see how you feel.

3) All truly organic produce will have labels with a 5-digit number that begins with a ‘9’. Conventionally grown produce will have labels with a 4-digit number that begins with a ‘4’ and genetically engineered produce will have labels with a 5-digit number that begins with an ‘8’. Organic is best and produce purchased directly from your local farmer’s market is by far the freshest and healthiest option. (No preservatives and chemicals to toxify your body and the environment.)

4) No matter how convincing the nutrition labels are on the miracle drink you were just talked into purchasing, it pales in comparison to the vitamins and minerals you will get if you go straight to the source. Read the last 5 items listed in the ingredients section, put the product back on the shelf and then GO BUY A JUICER! If you’re traveling or in a hurry, grab a bottle of water until you get to a location that serves freshly-squeezed fruit/vegetable juice or green tea. Seriously, do you have any idea how many days/weeks/months it’s been since the fruits and vegetables were squeezed, processed, preserved, contained, shipped, stored, etc, in that concoction before you cracked the safety lid to drink it? Eeew.

5) If you choose to consume flesh protein: Always, always, always eat beef that was grass-fed only; poultry that was grass-fed, free-range and organic; and fish that is wild-caught. Most health-food stores label their animal products as such, and the waiter at your favorite restaurant should no longer be surprised if you ask what the meal you’re about to consume consumed. Corn and grain-fed animals are much fattier and more likely to have been exposed to bacteria through the packaging process than their organically raised and fed cousins and most farmed-fish are fed hormones and dyes to increase size and enhance their color.

These simple adjustments in your diet will reap you huge benefits including softer skin, reduced symptoms of indigestion and most importantly; weight loss! Remember, you get only one body in this lifetime. Cherish it, protect it, love it!

Health & Happiness,
Shana Dee