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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.

 

 

Ever wonder how much sugar you eat on a daily basis.   Well, the American Heart Association says that the average American adult eats 22 teaspoons a day.   The average American teen is getting 35 a day.

The story below has all the info.  Enjoy…

 

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

 

 

 

The Today Show had a wonderful piece that debunked many common Diet Myths.  Enjoy,

While you’re checking out nutrition labels for sugar content be on the lookout for the following names that all describe refined sugar:

Sucrose High fructose corn syrup Fructose Lactose

Organic sugar Maltose Dextrose Glucose

The correct answer to the following question will shock you.

Would you survive longer on a diet of just water OR on a diet of water and refined sugar?

The answer: You would survive longer on just water.

Sound impossible? Just ask the five sailors who were ship wrecked in 1793.

The ship was filled with sugar, thus giving the marooned five a diet of sugar and water. When they were finally picked up, nine days later, they were in a wasted condition due to starvation.

The story of the five sailors intrigued French physiologist Francois Magendie to conduct a series of experiments in which he fed dogs a diet of sugar. All of the dogs died.

Magendie proved that as a steady diet, refined sugar is worse than nothing.

How can sugar be worse than nothing? Plainly put, refined sugar is an anti-nutrient.

It starts out as sugar cane, and then goes through an extensive refining process that destroys all of the enzymes, fiber, vitamins and minerals. What you’re left with are empty, naked calories.

The problem is that your body needs the enzymes, fiber, vitamins and minerals that were taken out in the refining process in order to metabolize sugar and use it as energy. So it takes those nutrients from your own body.

So while you are enjoying that chocolate bar, sugar is draining vital nutrients from your body. Like a sweet parasite.

And it doesn’t end there…

• Sugar creates false hunger (as a result of the insulin rush and then ensuing plummet in your blood sugar levels), which makes you overeat. This means a constant struggle with your weight in which you never seem to achieve your ideal size.
• Sugar promotes aging (due to the advanced glycation end products, or AGEs, that occur when insulin levels are consistently elevated as a result of eating too much sugar). Sugar has even been dubbed the negative fountain of youth.
• Sugar weakens your bones - making you vulnerable for osteoporosis, and weakens your teeth - making you vulnerable for cavities (both due to the calcium being pulled from your bones and teeth in order for your body to process sugar).
• Sugar in excess is stored as fat (after your liver has no more room to store it, sugar is converted to fat and deposited on your belly, thighs, hips and the backs of your arms).
• Sugar can impair brain functioning (as a result of depleted B-vitamin production).

If you’re still not convinced of the danger of sugar here are more ailments linked to its overconsumption: varicose veins, constipation, hormonal imbalances, ADD and ADHD, increased emotional instability, depressed immune system, increased risk of cancer and degenerative diseases.

The average modern person consumes 46 teaspoons of sugar every day. That comes out to roughly 175 pounds of sugar each year.

And it’s no wonder, since sugar industry is big business. They sneak sugar into any product that they can.

Go through the foods in your home and you’ll see that sugar has been added to everything from ketchup and spaghetti sauce to crackers, oatmeal, peanut butter and even ‘healthy’ items like weight loss bars.

Where does this leave you?

You are in a unique position. Your personal judgment determines the foods that you eat and the foods that you avoid. It is my hope that you approach sugar with new eyes.

While all other foods offer you caloric energy PLUS some nutritional benefit, sugar doesn’t. Sugar is simply caloric energy with a sweet habit forming taste, and a hoard of health risks.

Use your judgment wisely and limit your sugar consumption - you’ll love the benefits of low sugar living.

And while you’re at it contact me to start a training program that will turbo-charge your results.

(Oh and if you’re ever in a ship wreck with only sugar and water at your disposal - just drink the water!)

According to WebMD, people who eat more fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for maintaining a healthy body. Here are 4 quick tips for getting eating more vegetables:

• Buy fresh vegetables in season. They cost less and taste better.
• Buy vegetables that are quick to prepare. Pick up pre-washed bags of salad greens and add baby carrots and grape tomatoes for a simple salad.
• Stock up on frozen vegetables for quick and easy cooking in the microwave.
• Try the recipe below for Potato & Carrot Casserole - a delicious way to eat veggies.

Eggplants offer a host of health benefits due to their many vitamins and minerals as well as important phytonutrients which provide antioxidant activity. When you select eggplants look for ones that are firm and heavy for their size - also avoid ones with discoloration or bruises. Serve your Healthy Man’s Steak as a side to grilled chicken breast for a delicious and well balanced meal.
Yield: 6 servings

Here’s what you need…

• 2 eggplants, cut into 3/4 inch thick slices
• Salt
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• Freshly ground pepper

1. Sprinkle the sliced eggplant with salt and drain in a colander for about 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Rinse the eggplant with cold water and pat dry. Arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, turn the eggplant over and bake for 5 more minutes, until golden brown.
4. Stir together oil, vinegar, parsley, oregano and garlic in small bowl. Season the eggplant with pepper and brush tops with the oil mixture.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 52 calories, 3g fat, 6g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, and 1g protein.

Craving something sweet? This recipe is the perfect summer dessert. If you don’t have nectarine or pear on hand, be creative and use other fresh fruits. Servings: 2

Here’s what you need…

• 1 white nectarine, chopped
• 1 pear, chopped
• 1 Tablespoon chopped pecans
• 1 Tablespoon chopped dates
• Dash of cinnamon

1. Mix the nectarine, pear, pecans, and dates in a medium sized bowl. Sprinkle with cinnamon and mix until well coated.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 119 calories, 3g fat, 24g carbohydrate, 4.5g fiber, and 1.5g protein

Don’t let the rich flavor and mouthwatering moistness of these muffins fool you. You’ll have a hard time convincing anyone, but this recipe was modified to include less fat and sugar than the original. This is a great treat to share at holiday parties.
Servings: 40 mini muffins

Here’s what you need…

• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup natural honey
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 7 oz pear baby food (or applesauce)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup shredded zucchini
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a mini muffin pan with paper baking cups, or use non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a mixing bowl combine eggs and honey. Add pumpkin, melted butter, pear baby food, and vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl combine all of the dry ingredients. Gradually add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and mix until well combined. Stir in the zucchini.
4. Pour into muffin tins, sprinkle the tops with chopped walnuts. Bake for 10-20 minutes or until you can poke a toothpick in a muffin and it comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes.

Nutritional Analysis: One mini muffin equals: 92 calories, 3g fat, 15g carbohydrate, 1.5g fiber, and 2g protein.

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Crunchy snap peas and soy nuts pair up with soft tofu in this spring inspired salad. Best enjoyed as a light lunch, this salad will treat your taste buds while maintaining your waistline. Servings: 2

Here’s what you need…

• 4 cups mixed greens
• 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2/3 cup sugar snap peas
• 1/2 cup Light Firm Tofu
• 2 Tbl unsalted soy nuts
• 1 Tbl unsalted sunflower seeds
• 4 Tbl Newman’s Own Lighten Up Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing

• Combine the greens, tomatoes and peas, tofu, nuts and seeds in a medium bowl. Add the dressing, mix until fully combined.
• Divide salad into two bowls and serve.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 184 calories, 6.5g fat, 19g carbohydrate, 14g fiber, and 18g protein.

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