It's hard to avoid processed foods when most foods found in local groceries are laden with preservatives and artificial flavorings.
SCARBOROUGH, AUSTRALIA, March 13, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- It's hard to avoid processed foods when most foods found in local groceries are laden with preservatives and artificial flavorings. In today's article, we are listing down six practical ways to gradually eliminate processed food items in your diet:
1. Boosting Consumption of Fresh Fruits
Rather eat dried or canned fruits, try boosting more fresh fruits! We recommend organic fresh fruits because these are free from pesticides and other chemicals that may harm the body. Unfortunately, most canned fruits and even some dried fruits are loaded with flavorings, addictive and artificial colors. They are not as healthy as the real thing.
2. Limiting Coffee and Tea
Coffee and tea contains caffeine. This is a stimulant that's not recommended for those with heart problems. Replace teas or coffee with freshly squeezed fruit juices instead. And if you cannot imagine starting the day without coffee, try eating an apple instead. Studies show that apple is more effective in perking up people than a hot cup of coffee! Just try it.
3. Cutting Back on Red Meat
Red meat is great but don't eat it too often, especially if it's not free-range, organically raised meats. Most meat products found in the local grocery are treated with antibiotics and other drugs that could harm your health. In addition, rather than treating red meat as the main course, look at it as a side dish instead. Always mind your portions. If you can, try abstaining from red meat several times per week. This way, you can still enjoy your steak, but you don't go overboard.
4. Zero Fast Food
Let's face it, fast foods contain copious amounts of preservatives, artificial colorings, flavorings and other food additives. These foods are deep fried, greasy, fattening, and unhealthy and some may even cause chronic disease. If you want to eliminate processed foods from your diet, you have to abstain from fast food. That means no hot chips, burgers or burritos. Instead, your meals should focus on wholesome, fresh and nutritious ingredients.
5. Go For Whole Grains
Most dieters avoid carbs because they're fattening. But carbs aren't evil. There are two kinds of carbs, complex and simple carbs. If you want to eat healthily and avoid processed foods, go for foods with complex carbohydrates. Foods made from simple carbs are processed to the point that they have lost all nutritional value only leaving the flavorings, sugars, and carbs.
Whole grains are excellent sources of complex carbs. As long as the portions are within a reasonable amount, you can enjoy carbs without gaining weight.
6. Say No to Diet or Zero Calorie Beverages/Food Items
Most diet sodas or zero calorie drinks are flavored with artificial sweeteners like aspartame. This sweetener is the most widely used by food manufacturers. Aspartame happens to be a neurotoxin and is linked to cancer and other mental disorders. So if you want to stay healthy, stop drinking these seemingly "healthier" drinks. Go for water or coconut water instead. Drinking water is the simplest and best way to hydrate the body.
If you want to mix things up, you can make your own detox water. Just add several slices of your favorite fruits (we love lime, strawberries, and raspberries) in a pitcher of plain water. Leave the whole thing to steep overnight. In the morning, you have a pitcher of healthy and gently flavored water!
Official website: http://www.angiepowell.com.au
As seen on: http://www.epressdistribution.com/news.asp?id=3982
# # #