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Healthy Living is the number one goal among North Americans. However, 80% of the population do not know that cooking healthy, eating healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, and making healthy choices can mean the difference between life and death. I have written this health and fitness article so that people can make healthy choices for their own personal health care and well being.

Here are 25 ways to eat and drink healthy:

1. Do not drink iced water, especially not with meals. This interferes with flow of your digestive juices and impairs digestion.

2. Drink a cup of fresh pure water, at room temperature, the first thing in the morning and last thing at night. You should drink it hot only when you are constipated. In that case, a little lime or lemon may be added.

3. Drink six to eight glasses of water every day, approximately one glass for every fourteen pounds of your body weight. Drink mineral water to be on safe side.

4. Do not drink water with your meals, but drink it half hour before or two to three hours after your meals so as not to disturb the process of your digestion by diluting the digestive juices.

5. Sip the water slowly, never swig it down at once.

6. In order to restore life elements of the water lost in boiling or processing, pass it through the air, pouring it from one cup to another. You will soon notice that this gives a slightly invigorating and stimulating effect, which is absent in dead and devitalized water.

7. It is better that you eat fresh fruits and vegetables than to drink fruit or vegetable juices.

8. Do not keep juices standing, as they will lose their precious enzymes. Apple juice for instance loses one third of them after 30 minutes and all of them after two hours.

9. Coffee, tea, alcohol and chocolate are not recommended because tannic acid, theine, caffeine and theobromine are stimulants.

10. Milk is really a food, not a drink. You should have it in small sips. Otherwise, it will likely produce indigestion.

11. It is not the amount of food you consume that nourishes your body, but only the amount the body itself can assimilate.

12. Choose carefully the foods that fit your system, choose them just as carefully as you choose a shirt, a hat or a tie. You have to try different food combinations until you figure out which health food suit you best. Make health choices such as steam fresh vegetables.

13. Avoid all devitalized foods like canned food, polished rice, white flour and white sugar. Use unpolished rice, whole wheat flour and brown sugar or honey.

14. Another healthy choice is to chew your food carefully and slowly, especially if it is the starchy kind, so that it may be properly mixed with saliva, otherwise starch will be waiting for digestion for several hours.

15. Toasted bread is better than fresh. Do not eat it with liquid. Drink before eating the bread, as starch should be converted into glucose by saliva.

16. Eat only one starch to a meal. For instance, if you have rice then omit potatoes, bread, macaroni starchy pudding and so on.

17. If you suffer from gas, it is advisable to plan your meals so that you do not eat protein and starch together; and especially not with cooked sulphur foods like green peas, cabbage, broccoli, eggs, turnips, and so on because gas is produced by sulphur working on the starch.

18. Do not throw away the water in which vegetables have been boiled but use it for gravies, soup or for drinking. Potato water is excellent as it alkalizes the body.

19. Fried greasy foods as well as rich dishes should be avoided altogether, because these digest more slowly than fat itself. Fat is the last to leave your stomach, carbohydrates is first and then proteins.

20. All saturated fats, such as lard, butter, margarine, eggs, and dairy products will increase the blood cholesterol level and can be classified as unessential fats.

21. Any diet which is high in saturated fat is dangerous. So you should eat a balanced meal, a high fat and low protein diet inhibits the function of enzymes.

22. Remember, it is not only the calories and amount of fat that decide the nutrition and health, but the quality of fat. Bacon, for instance has caloric fat value only. It contains nothing else, neither vitamins, nor minerals.

23. Six cups of fresh raw cabbage juice a day keep peptic ulcers away.

24. The richest source of protein is soya bean. Two pounds of soya been flour contain as much protein as five pounds of cheese, five pounds of boneless meat or six dozen eggs or 10 liters of milk. Soya bean is the only non-acid forming protein.

25. The most essential rule about food, however, has nothing to do with quality, quantity or preparation, but with your mental attitude at the time you are eating it.

I hope that you will use this health and wellness article to make healthy choices when you start your person health care program. If you have any health questions or comments be sure to check out our Health Fitness Site for more health and fitness articles.

Eat, drink and be healthy.

Nutrition supplements are not only necessary but are indispensable even for those persons eating balanced diets. There are several advantages that bodybuilding nutrition supplements are able to provide humans that normal food is not able to give.

Let us take a brief look at the benefits of nutrition supplements, as the first step in nutrition guide.

Healthy nutrition increases energy both in body and in mind

It provides relaxation to the mind and the various body parts

Bodybuilding supplements help in beating stress and fatigue

Nutrition supplements sharpens the mind and improves memory power

Healthy nutrition is a great facilitator of detoxification and in overcoming addiction

Nutrition supplements assist you in achieving internal calmness and a connected feeling

All the above processes help in elevating the overall mood, resulting in higher work efficiency

Healthy nutrition is a natural process that gives you the same or even higher energy boost and mood relaxation from tea, coffee, tobacco, liquors, drugs, etc., without their harmful side effects

Body-mind complex should not be violated

The major difference between these bodybuilding nutrition supplements and the above listed harmful materials is that the natural nutrition supplements work with the innate design of your body and not against it. All addictive materials definitely work against the body-mind system, though they might appear to be working with them.

They do provide stimulation and relaxation. That could not be denied. However, the harmful side effects from drinks, drugs, and tobacco far exceed the momentary benefits derived from them. They become an addiction. They leave you exhausted and run down in the long run, because they work against the natural body system. Constant exposure to such violation of the body and mind leads to the dislocation of internal harmony. Disastrous results ensue.

Right nutrition guide to healthy life

Nutrition supplements are the exact opposite of the above listed harmful items in functioning. They not only work the body-mind system but enhance the natural abilities inherent in our complex physical structure. There is nothing miraculous about healthy nutrition and bodybuilding nutrition supplements. By nature, they are designed to supplement and compliment the various body functions and mental activities.

They are similar in nearly all the aspects to the various chemicals and fluids that we have in our body and brain. Vitamins, minerals, and amino acids present in our body control the function of the various body parts and the activities of the brain. The nutrition supplements just enhance the energy present in the body to higher levels, increase the focusing power of the mind, and usher in overall well being.

Here are some of the things you need to ask and confirm before buying affordable health insurance.

1. Do you want security for your family in case of accidents or health problems?

2. Is your income stable enough to support the monthly payments made when you have the health insurance plan?

3. Do you have a chronic illness and need medical attention but do not have the finances to support it?

4. Do you want to save yourself from paying large amounts of money after getting hospitalized?

If most of your answers are yes then it is time for you to get health insurance. Most of us would think that health cover is just a waste of money but as President Obama has said in his recent address, he has stated that he is ready to support the American health care system. This includes the health business. If your answer to the fourth question is a big yes, then you are a very smart person. With all the economic commotion that has been going on for years now, people should be really smart. Buying affordable health insurance is the smart way.

In the past decade, there were limited choices when it comes to health cover. Lately though the health plan business is steadily progressing as people are becoming smart to choose and get themselves the security by purchasing a health plan. When you take a look at the expenses you get from medical fees, you would surely want to get out of the hospital as fast as you can just to save money. You would end up having less medical attention though and may not even be able to afford treatment. When you have the right health plan you will get the medical attention you need.

Now that you have convinced yourself of the need to have your own health cover here are some questions you need to ask yourself before buying affordable health insurance.

1. What are the options available in finding the right type of insurance?

It is important that you know your options when you want to find the health insurance that you need.

2. What is the overall coverage of the health plan?

When you want to purchase medical insurance make sure that you have enough coverage for your health care needs.

3. How much would the insurance plan cost and what are the mode of payments you can get have?

It is practical to ask around for quotes before buying the best plan you can get. Look around and see which one fits you. Do not hesitate to ask about discounts if there are any. The best place to do this is on the internet and by just comparing quotes will save you much money. Click here to get affordable health insurance now.

Have you stopped inviting friends to your home, because you are embarrassed by its cluttered condition? If people drop by unexpectedly, do you try to think of an excuse to avoid letting them come in? Is it easier to buy an item that you need rather than try to find it in your home, even though you know you have it somewhere?

A stressful home is not a healthful home, and if your house is cluttered, it causes stress. When you cannot find things because of the disorder, you become anxious, frustrated and tense. Some people try to relieve frustration by snacking — causing weight gain and even more stress.

If you are living with clutter, do something about it. It is possible to create a more organized and less stressful environment. You may think that you do not have time to straighten out the mess, but you will feel better if you do. And, after your home is organized, that not only does your health and clarity improve, but you’ll have more time which will ease the stress even more.

Don’t worry this isn’t a reality show. You don’t have to do it all in one day! Start small by changing a few habits and over time, your home and health will naturally improve. Here are some simple tips to get started.

When you finish using something, put it away immediately. Do not fall into the habit of putting things down and thinking you will take care of them later when you have more time

The demand for health and food drinks is surging high in Philippines due to various factors such as its growing young affluent population, rising disposable income and rising consumer awareness regarding health and safety concerns. At present, Philippines has emerged as one of the rapidly growing food and drinks industries in the Asian region over the recent past, according to the new research report, “Philippines Food and Drinks Market: Emerging Opportunities”

The country exports foods to several countries, including the US, Europe and some Asian countries. However, the ongoing financial turmoil is forcing the country to look at alternative destinations such as the Middle East and Africa. In line with this, it is striving hard to get a share of highly lucrative global halal food industry, explains the report.

This report is an in-depth study that evaluates the past, current and future market trends in the food and drinks industry of the Philippines. This report has been made to help clients in analyzing the opportunities, challenges and drivers critical to the growth of the industry.

The research provides detailed overview of the consumption patterns of the Philippines in various food segments like consumption of milk, fruits, vegetables, meat etc. The beverage segment talks about the type of beverages, their sales and consumption patterns among the Filipinos.

It also offers an insight into various emerging segments in the Philippines food and drinks industry. Some of these include halal food industry, organic food, food exports, processed food etc.

The report provides five-year industry forecast (2009-2013) on various food and drinks segments. The forecasts are given on:

Consumer expenditure, Meat, Fruit, Vegetable, Fish, Milk Coffee, Alcoholic drinks, Soft drinks, Bottled water and Wine market

For vast range of market reports please visit:  http://www.bharatbook.com/Market-Research-Reports/Philippines-Food-and-Drinks-Market-Emerging-Opportunities.html

Contact us:

Bharat Book Bureau
Phone : +91 22 2757 8668 / 2757 9438
Fax : +91 22 2757 9131
E-mail : info@bharatbook.com
Website : www.bharatbook.com

So many people get problem because of being dependent on alcohol and drug. Many of them end up in prison and some others die because of over dosage of drug or alcohol abuse. And so many others are still in serious problems of those addictions. If you or anyone of you have problem with such addictions, you must make sure that you should look for drug and alcohol addiction center as soon as possible to look for the help you need so much to get better life.

Maybe some of you have ever got outpatient treatment for coping with drug and alcohol abuse. Do you get any good result? In so many cases outpatient treatment could not work well because the patient of drug and alcohol abuse will still attach to all the conditions which support them for continuing abusing the use of alcohol or drugs, for example the friends who still influence them to keep using those substances or stressing conditions which force them to escape to the use of alcohol or drugs abuse again to forget all the problems they have temporarily.

That is why drug and alcohol addiction center is eminent for you to join if you really want to get free from such an addiction. By joining the rehabilitation problem in such an institution, you will be helped to get full treatment to reduce your addiction step by step until you could really live normally without any addiction and could start a new life in your society. The programs you could get are detoxifications treatment for getting your body free from any toxin left by drugs and alcohol you have ever consumed other healthy supporting programs to help you get free from the addiction and supporting environment which help you so much for being free from the addiction. And if you live in Illinois, alcohol and drug rehab Illinois is the place for you to go.

We often see claims such as “zero trans fat” and “reduced in calories” on the front of food packages highlighting a product’s nutrition features. They are a quick and easy way to get information about a food, but these eye-catching statements do not tell the whole story. For example, a food free of trans fat may still be high in Calories. Be sure to also read the Nutrition Facts table to determine what a claim is really telling you.

 

Furthermore, the word “light” on a food label can mean different things. This claim is used to describe a food as “reduced in fat” and “reduced in calories”, but not always. Sometimes the word “light” describes the taste, colour or texture of a food. Manufacturers must describe what is “light” about the food . Manufacturers can only use a nutrition claim if their product meets certain criteria.

 

Here are some other definitions for claims that may come in handy:

 

“Low” is always associated with a very small amount. “Low in fat” means the food contains no more than 3g (grams) of fat in the amount of food specified in the Nutrition Facts.

 

“Reduced in calories” means the food contains at least 25% less energy than the food to which it is compared.

           

“Source of fibre” means the food contains at least 2g of dietary fibre in the amount of food listed under the Nutrition Facts. A food with the claim ‘High source of fibre’ contains at least 4g in that amount of food. It is recommended that most to consume about 25g or more of fibre per day.

 

“Less” is used to compare one product with another. For example, a box of crackers claiming to contain “50% less salt” will have half the sodium of the food to which it’s compared. It doesn’t necessarily mean the product is low in sodium, so check the sodium content in the Nutrition Facts.

While claims are a good starting point, you need to check the Nutrition Facts to get the details.

 

The Nutrition Facts Table – What’s in it for You?

 

Have you ever wondered about the nutrition value of your favourite breakfast cereal? Does it have the dietary fibre you need? Is it high or low in sodium or saturated fat?

 

The Nutrition Facts table, which you see on almost all pre-packaged foods, makes it easier to answer questions you may have about what is in the foods you buy. In the Nutrition Facts you will find the number of Calories and the amounts of 13 nutrients contained in a specific amount of the food. These nutrients will be expressed in grams (g) or milligrams (mg) or as a % Daily Value.

 

The Daily Values are based on recommendations for a healthy diet. The % Daily Value makes comparing foods easier because it puts all nutrients on the same scale (0% – 100% Daily Value), much like a ruler. For example, a food that has a % Daily Value of 5% or less for fat, sodium or cholesterol would be low in these nutrients. A food that has a % Daily Value of 15% or more for calcium, vitamin A or fibre would be high in these nutrients.

In general, you should look for a higher % Daily Value next to nutrients you are trying to increase in your diet, such as fibre, vitamins A and C, calcium and iron. Look for a lower % Daily Value for nutrients you are trying to decrease, such as saturated and trans fats, cholesterol and sodium.

Also remember to compare the specific amount of food listed at the top of the Nutrition Facts to the amount that you eat. If you eat double the amount listed, don’t forget to double the values for Calories and nutrients.

 

Nutrition Labelling – It’s the Amount That Counts

 

Food labels are valuable sources of information. A Nutrition Facts table is found on almost all food labels and it can tell you a lot about the food you buy. Reading food labels can help you make informed food choices, but there are important tips to keep in mind.

The nutrient information in the Nutrition Facts is always based on a specific ‘amount’ of food measured in household units – such as a cup of milk, or a slice of bread – followed by the metric measurement (g, mL). The amount reflects the quantity people usually eat at one sitting. The key however, is comparing the amount in the Nutrition Facts to the amount you actually eat. -Why? A favourite bowl you use at breakfast might hold anywhere from a ½ cup to a 2 ½ cup amount of cereal. Having 2 ½ cups of a particular cereal may be five times the amount specified in the Nutrition Facts. If the cereal box label indicates a ½ cup amount is 120 Calories, this means that, instead of consuming 120 Calories, you have just consumed a 600 Calorie bowl of cereal.

More tips for using the Nutrition Facts:

 Remember – the amount of food in the Nutrition Facts is not a recommended serving. Canada’s Food Guide recommends the amount and type of food needed for different age and gender groups, as well as different stages of life.

 Nutrition Facts on different brands of the same type of food may be based on different amounts of food. For example, one brand of crackers may have nutrition information based on eight crackers, while another brand’s is based on only four crackers. So check the metric amount under the Nutrition Facts when comparing products.

 Not all foods are sold ‘ready to eat’. Foods that require preparation, such as cake mix baked with an egg, or breakfast cereal served with milk, will have one column in Nutrition Facts providing nutrient values for the food as sold, while another column will provide nutrient values for the food “as prepared,” with the extra egg or milk, for example.

 

 

Health food enthusiasts often question Splenda. Is this sweetener really safe? Does it taste as good as regular sugar? Can I use it in all of my desert recipes? The fact of the matter is that Splenda is actually extremely easy to use, and it is as safe as regular sugar. Actually, there are even health benefits to using Splenda that you don’t find with regular sugar or other kinds of artificial sweeteners. Using Splenda regularly instead of sugar can help make some of your favorite sweet treats better for you. Here are some of the major health benefits of baking with Splenda:

Foods made with Splenda have fewer calories.

Splenda in and of itself is not completely calorie free. This is a version of sugar, but it is hundreds of times sweeter than actual sugar. That means for every calorie of Splenda you use, you are getting a much greater concentration of flavor. So, to add the same amount of sweetness to your food, you are adding a much lower number of calories. Many of the diet foods on the market today, including diet sodas, actually use Splenda instead of sugar so that they are sweeter. Remember, sugar is not the only source of calories in food, so replacing the sugar in a product with Splenda does not necessarily mean it is good for you, it means it can be actually be BETTER for you.

Splenda helps you care for your teeth.

Dentists love Splenda! While this product does not prevent problems if you do not take care of your teeth and will not fix problems if you already have tooth decay and other dental problems, it is a way to ward off the bacteria that causes cavities. Sugar left in your mouth after eating serves as a food for this kind of bacteria. Splenda does not have the same effect, so there is less “food” in your mouth to attract dental problems.

You can cook with Splenda even if you have diabetes.

Splenda is a type of sugar, but the body does not recognize it as sugar in the blood stream. Therefore, you can eat Splenda even if you have diabetes or another sugar-related medical problem. Eating foods made with Splenda should not cause your blood sugar levels to spike. Be careful, however, because many times, the foods using Splenda as a sugar replacement are filled with other ingredients not healthy for someone with a blood sugar problem. Splenda itself is safe, however, even for future mothers dealing with gestational diabetes.

Splenda can help you lose weight.

Because it adds few calories to food and does not have the same effects on the body as sugar, Splenda can actually help people lose weight. Unless you eat lots of sugar and switch entirely to Splenda, you may not see a significant different in your weight, but combined with a healthier diet and exercise, using Splenda can help you achieve weight loss goals. Losing weight is a great way to help you avoid more serious medical conditions like heart disease.

Some Splenda products contain fiber.

If you purchase Splenda with fiber, you will be consuming one gram of fiber for every packet of Splenda you add to your food. Fiber is necessary for help with your digestion, and many people do not get enough fiber from their daily diets. Splenda with fiber does not taste any differently than Splenda without fiber.

Splenda has been found to be completely safe for consumption.

Other the past several decades, artificial sweeteners have been under fire for causing cancer, headaches, depression, and many other problems. However, hundreds of studies have been conducted to measure that safety of Splenda, and these studies showed that it is not a cancer-causing agent, nor does it cause health problems for the average person. Splenda is safe for anyone to consume, from children to pregnant mothers to senior citizens.

There are other benefits, unrelated to health, to using Splenda as well. Compared to other artificial sweeteners, Splenda is quite affordable. It also comes in a number of varieties, such as white granulated “sugar,” brown “sugar,” and a mixture of Splenda and regular sugar. Splenda can be used as a sugar replacement in most recipes, and in recipes that need sugar (like yeast breads); you can add a mixture of Splenda and regular sugar to reduce the calories in the recipe. Splenda reacts differently to heat than most artificial sugars, making it the perfect product to use in your baked goods. Your family probably won’t even notice the difference, so try Splenda today for a sweet new way to manage your health while still enjoying your favorite baked goods.

Health And Safety Issues For The Smaller Builder

Make sure that people working on your site are trained to work in safety. All you need know as a busy builder.

Want To Run A Successful Construction Site

These are the essential health and safety top tips you should follow if you run a construction site, even if you don’t directly employ the people working there:

Keep your site clean and tidy, with clear space for people to work in;
Keep people, including the public, away from danger – fence the site off and use signs to warn people;
Make sure structures, such as walls, are kept safe, and demolition work is properly planned and workers know what to do;
Use only 110 volt or battery-operated portable tools and safe electrical supplies;
Make sure trenches and excavations don’t collapse and ensure people cannot fall into them;
Make sure workers cannot fall from height;
Working from ladders is allowed only as a last resort.

What can happen if health and safety is ignored?

A young worker with no training or instruction was left unsupervised to demolish a high wall known to be unsafe. The young worker was killed when the wall collapsed on him. The builder was convicted of manslaughter and sent to prison for three years.

The law requires smaller builders to:

Manage hazards and risk – You must plan, manage and monitor your construction work so it is done safely and without risks to health;
Inform and train your workforce – Give information and training on risks, precautions and rules; and
co-operate with the client or home occupier – The business client has legal duties and is obliged to co-operate with you and have arrangements for managing the work. It also makes sense to work closely with the home occupier to meet your responsibilities for site safety.

What you need to know

Smaller builders must be competent to carry out their work safely. You should not accept work for which you do not have the necessary health and safety competency. Most fatal injuries in the construction industry now occur on smaller building projects involving refurbishment of existing homes and workplaces. Over 60% of those deaths involve falls from ladders, scaffolds, working platforms, roof edges and falls through fragile roofs or rooflights. Other fatal injuries on such projects arise from the collapse of excavations, lifting operations, electricity and mobile plant.

Manage hazards and risk

As a smaller builder, you are a contractor under Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2007 and you must:

Plan, manage and monitor your construction work so that health and safety risks are controlled;
Set lead times – inform any sub-contractors of the minimum amount of time that will be allowed for planning and preparation;
Prevent site access – check that steps have been taken to prevent access by unauthorised persons to the site; and
Arrange welfare facilities – make sure adequate welfare facilities are in place for your workforce.

Inform and train your workforce

You must also provide your workforce with the information and training they need to secure health and safety. This includes:

site induction – where not provided by another;
risks and precautions – information on risks identified in assessments, and the necessary precautions;
site rules; and
emergency procedures.

Cooperating with the client or home occupier

Close co-operation and co-ordination among everyone involved in a project can help to prevent injury and ill-health.

Business clients – have safety responsibilities on even the shortest of projects and will need to check the arrangements made by the smaller builder for managing the work.

For example, if there is a risk of falling through a fragile roof or rooflight the client will need to know how the smaller builder plans to manage the risk and ensure the safety of the workers and those in his premises. This will require effective co-operation.

Home occupiers – the home occupier has no responsibility for workplace safety. However, the smaller builder and occupier have a common interest in making sure the building work does not put residents at risk. Close co-operation will help achieve this objective.

For example, you will want to leave the site in a safe condition at the end of the day and ensure that the residents are not put at risk while your work is in progress. The occupier will need to know of and co-operate with your plans.

You can find more articles on health & safety, get quotes and compare costs for premier building & construction work at Prestige Renovations The UK No: 1 Price Comparison Site for Premier Building & Construction Projects.

These days every man and women, even child, wants to be healthy and good looking. Sadly, not everyone is. Now free suggestions on how to be healthy and good looking are available to anyone here. To get those advices, just do these steps:

1. Go here.

2. Tell everything about you.

3. Wait for the suggestions.

Simple as that. Once you complete these steps, you will be able to look good and makes first steps towards being more healthier. So why just wait CLICK HERE and start improving YOURSELF.

The biggest reason, why people are fat is because they eat “junk” food. Take a look at the example:

1. Diet Soda

 

Why is it good? A sugar free version of the popular carbonated beverage that you can drink on the go.

Why is it bad? OK, so soda is horrible for you, but take out the sugar and add in carcinogenic artificial sweeteners, combined with the artificial flavors and colors that are in all sodas, and you have a recipe for a Tumor in a Can.

Then of course you’ve got the caffeine factor, which is linked to hyperactivity, high blood pressure, and can mess with your blood sugar. Unfortunately the caffeine is an oh-so-good afternoon supplement.

Instead choose: filtered water and the occasional glass of milk

2. Sushi made with white rice and imitation crab meat or vegetables

 

Why is it good? Seaweed contains essential nutrients such as selenium, calcium, iodine, and omega-3 fats. Sushi is nearly always wrapped in seaweed.

Why is it bad? This garbage doesn’t deserve to be called sushi. They are just small, compact, high glycemic, high calorie, carbohydrate nuggets. There’s not even much protein in these things. Eat 3-4 of them and you’ve had your serving for the day.

Aside from that, imitation crab meat isn’t even good for you. It is mostly just a crab flavored tofu-like substance fortified with sugar, sugar, and more sugar. It isn’t tofu, it’s actually a bunch of processed white fish, but it tastes like tofu. Blah!

Instead choose: In order to get some healthy carbs, some high-quality protein, and the benefits of omega-3 fats, choose real sushi made with salmon or tuna. To make it even healthier, order sashimi instead of white rice.

3. Peanuts

Why is it good? Peanuts contain healthy fats that contribute to the reduction in triglycerides, which are known to promote cardiovascular disease. In addition to monosaturated fatty acids, peanuts also contain magnesium, vitamin E, arginine, fiber, copper and folate all of which help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Why is it bad? Aside from being high in fat and calories, peanuts also are loaded with omega-6 fats that distort the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. This ratio says that your intake of each omega fatty acid should be 1:1. The reasons why this ratio is recommended is a topic for a whole other article.

All we need to know is that the American diet is typically from 20:1 to 50:1 in favor of omega-6, so any effort to reverse this trend is important for combating over 10 different common diseases including Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. Peanuts are often contaminated with a carcinogenic mold called aflatoxin, and they are also one of the most pesticide-contaminated crops.

Instead choose: almonds or all natural organic peanut butter, but pour off the top layer of oil and replace with olive oil if the resulting peanut brick is too stiff. Olive oil is very low in omega-6 fats.

(But honestly, if you want the peanuts you should just eat them. They’re not that bad for you diet-wise.)

4. Reduced-Fat Peanut Butter

Why is it good? All peanut butter provides a heart-healthy substantial quantity of monounsaturated fat.

Why is it bad? Most commercial peanut butters are made with the same type of sugar that cake frosting is made with. Reducing the fat makes it even worse because even MORE nasty sugar is added and they contain less healthy fat. I’d rather just eat the extra calories.

Instead choose: As with peanuts, choose almonds or all natural organic peanut butter instead. Just remember to pour off the top layer of oil and replace it with olive oil if the resulting peanut brick is too stiff. Olive oil is very low in omega-6 fats.

I personally, after switching to all-natural, can no longer stomach commercial peanut butter. It tastes like sweetened lard to me now so I’d rather barf than eat it at all.

5. Corn Oil

Why is it good? It contains omega-6 fatty acids, which are unsaturated fats that don’t raise cholesterol. Sweet.

Why is it bad? In the true spirit of peanuts, corn oil has 60 times more omega-6s than omega-3s. Omega-6 fatty acids increase inflammation, which boosts your risk of cancer, arthritis, and obesity. This is why we prefer a balanced ratio of omega-3s, which are found in walnuts, fish, and flaxseed.

Instead choose: Canola or Olive oils, which have a far better ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s. In my humble opinion, choose olive oil instead since canola oil has some less important issues of its own.

6. Fat-Free or Reduced Fat Salad Dressing

Why is it good? Less fat means less calories. Plus that salad dressing fat is lard just like mayo and crisco. Sick.

Why is it bad? Firstly because when fat comes out, sugar goes in. Either that or artificial flavors and sweeteners.

Secondly, since many vegetables are fat soluble, taking away the fat from the dressing means fewer of the salad nutrients will be absorbed into your body.

This was confirmed by a study at Ohio State University wherein a higher fat salad dressing resulted in an increased uptake of the antioxidants lutein and beta-carotene.

Instead choose: A salad dressing made with olive oil, or just use olive oil and vinegar as your salad dressing. If you try it you might like it.

7. Anything made with Soy

Why is it good? It’s not. But in the spirit of argument: vegetarians and vegans eat the stuff so they can get protein in their diets. Yay ::sarcasm:: Plus the stuff is apparently low in fat and an alternative to whey for the lactose intolerant.

Why is it bad? Straight up, soy is thought to be linked to increased estrogen in males and increased breast cancer in women. The estrogenic effects are sometimes said to merely be the presence of the phytoestrogens and estrogen mimicking compounds found in soy.

Because of these estrogenic compounds, infants in particular can be adversely affected in many negative ways from exposure to soy, including premature development in girls, and underdevelopment in boys.

Soy also promotes hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer, and infertility just to name a few additional disorders. Phytic acid, trypsin inhibitors, toxic lysinoalanine and highly carcinogenic nitrosamines are all highly present in soy products.

Some people are allergic to soy protein.

Instead choose: any high protein whole food such as brown rice, goats milk, coconut milk, almond milk, whole grains, nuts, seaweeds, seeds, beans, and lentils.

As a side note, goats milk is considered one of the healthiest foods on the planet today, so give it a try.

8. Yogurt cups, especially those with fruit at the bottom

Why is it good? Individually, fruit and yogurt are two of the healthiest food choices at the grocery store.

Why is it bad? Manufacturers load these products up with corn syrup, which effectively doubles the amount of sugar. All the better to entice kids to ask you to buy this crap.

Instead choose: Activia yogurt, which contains additional live active cultures to help your digestive system. Choose the Light version if you wish, but it is sweetened with sucralose (Splenda). (I opt for the light version.)

I enjoy Splenda quite often, but we have yet to know if there are an significant long term effects from its use. After all there are a few theories which suggest that consuming sucralose is like consuming very small amounts of chlorinated pesticides. There are at this time no conclusive tests that sucralose has any long term negative side effects.

9-11. Fruit Juice, Dried Fruit, and Fruit Cocktail

Why is it good? Well because fruit is good for you. It has a ton of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants; not to mention fiber.

Why is it bad? Fruit juice and fruit cocktail normally have sugar added. Some fruit cocktails come in a thick sugary syrup, and there’s more sugar in a glass of fruit juice than in a candy bar and as much as in a glass of soda (grape juice has about 40g of sugar in one serving). You get no fiber from fruit juice, and the stuff usually has preservatives added to it.

Dried fruit is similarly bad because it is also loaded with sugar, although not with added sugar. Think of it this way: take any fruit, which is naturally loaded with sugar, remove all the moisture thus shrinking it down to a fraction of its normal size, then sell it by the bucket load to consumers who don’t understand that this little tiny piece of fruit still has nearly all the calories and sugar of the original fruit!

Can anyone say “portion control”? What about “blood sugar coma”?

Instead choose: eat the whole fruit including the skin if possible, but limit it to one serving of fruit per meal/snack to avoid insulin spikes. If you must have fruit cocktail, choose one that comes packed in its own juices instead of syrup.

12. Smartfood (Cheesy Popcorn)

Why is it good? Because cheesy popcorn is oh so tasty.

Why is it bad? Because you are really just eating the popcorn equivalent of potato chips. Seriously, compare total calories and you will find that you are not saving much on the calorie front by eating Smartfood instead of chips.

Instead choose: get some spray butter, pop some plain popcorn, spray a light coat of spray butter on the popped corn, sprinkle various spices on the corn (but go easy on the salts), and shake it up in a bag. Now you have a low fat tasty treat.

Smartfood isn’t as bad as a candy bar or a Twinkie though, so go ahead and splurge every so often.

13. Beans packed in sugary syrups such as Boston Baked Beans

Why is it good? Baked beans are good for you because these types of beans are loaded with fiber

Why is it bad? The sugary syrup, just as much as in a can of soda, is just going to spike your blood sugar and insulin levels. This is never good for preventing heart disease or type II onset diabetes.

Instead choose: Red kidney beans. These things are packed with protein and fiber, and can be mixed with any sort of salad or pasta. Sometimes I enjoy kidney beans straight out of the can; no cooking, just wash and chow.

There are also several other kinds of high protein, high fiber beans, but they typically have to be cooked first. I say this because I tend to be lazy about cooking and I know you do too. Try cooking up some nice black beans; high in protein and fiber, low in everything bad.

14-20. Granola, White Pasta, Pasta Salad, English Muffins, Bagels, Croutons, and Pretzels

Why is it good? Granola has some fiber, pasta salad has some vegetables, croutons make our salad crunchy, english muffins are one step up from bagels, and pretzels are a quick low-fat snack.

Why is it bad? One word: carbohydrates. All of these foods are made with corn syrup and/or processed white flour. These foods will spike your blood sugar faster than Bruce Lee could have kicked you in the face. You also won’t get much nutrition in the way of protein, fiber, vitamins, or minerals from any of these foods.

Instead choose: 100% whole grain or whole wheat pasta and English muffins for increased fiber and protein. Egg salad because, like it or not, eggs are good for you and are high in protein. Almond slices are high in omega-3 fats and are crunchy like croutons. Substitute healthy nuts for white starches whenever you can and you too can receive a 30% less chance of heart disease.

Clearly there are many alternatives to sneaky consumer foods. Fruits and vegetables remain a key ingredient in a healthy diet, and now you can look for tricky catch phrases when purchasing ‘health foods’. Drink plenty of water, get plenty of sleep, and eat wholesome low-sugar, healthy-fat foods; I bet you will end up doing OK as a result.