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It's no secret that the average American diet has room for improvement, especially when it comes to the amount
of saturated fat and sugar we consume. Each year we eat an average of 30 pounds of cheese and 64 pounds of sugar!
Indulging during special occasions isn't the problem, it's the small food choices we make every day that can add
up to big health problems down the road.
"Foods high in saturated fat and simple sugars can be toxic to the body," says Alex Jamieson, Holistic Health
Counselor and author of The Great American Detox Diet. "These foods increase blood sugar and bad cholesterol
levels, leading to inflammation in the body."
Chronic inflammation has been linked to a host of serious health concerns including heart disease, cancer and
diabetes. Beauty woes, from acne and eczema to bloated bellies, can also be a reflection of the inflammatory
effect unhealthy foods have on the inside of the body.
"Your body doesn't need refined sugar or saturated fat," says Jamieson, "Limiting or, even better, eliminating
these foods from your diet is one of the best things you can do for your waistline and total health."
Jamieson offers the following tips for detoxing your diet:
1. Cheese is the #1 source of saturated fat in the American diet.
Contrary to popular belief, dairy is not an essential food group. There are plenty of plant-based sources
of calcium, like soy. Try replacing cheese with Galaxy Nutritional Foods' soy-based Veggie® cheese alternatives for
a healthy calcium and protein boost without the saturated fat and cholesterol. These tasty cheese alternatives
can be found in the produce section of most major grocery stores.
2. Start the day off right and skip breakfast sandwiches and sugary pastries.
They are loaded with fat, sugar and salt. Try nutritious high fiber options like whole grain cereals topped with soy or rice
milk and fruit smoothies blended with flax seed so you'll feel full and have energy for the day.
3. Become a "diet detective" and read labels to find hidden sources
of sugar.
Tomato sauce, salad dressings, canned soups and some yogurts contain surprisingly high amounts of sugar.
4. Dehydration can zap energy.
So, don't reach for sugary sodas, coffee drinks or juices that cause a temporary boost followed by a crash.
Drink plenty of pure, filtered water throughout the day to flush out the toxins and keep energy levels stable.
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