Summer is here which means BBQ season has begun! To stick with healthy choices, choose vegetables and wild or organic farm-raised fish, like wild salmon. If you eat meat, be sure to choose sustainably raised, grass-fed, free-range, chicken or meat. As for other summer ‘favorites,’ unfortunately many are awful for your health.
In today’s grocery stores, sadly, most of what you see should not even be called “food.” These items are not food, but rather ‘processed products,’ made by companies out to make a profit.
Processed foods make up over seventy percent of today’s diet and are contributing greatly to much of the world’s dire health statistics.
As a starting point, here are seven processed products you should avoid entirely this summer season:
1. Processed Meats
Processed meats such as hot dogs, ham, salami, deli turkey and roast beef are generally sourced from animals raised in deplorable living conditions and given injections of hormones, antibiotics, chemical flavorings, dyes, sodium nitrite, and carcinogens, which are all cancer causing ingredients. Choose quality meat, poultry and fish instead or try a grilled nutrient-rich Portobello mushroom as a delicious and hearty meat replacement.
2. Potato Chips
Most people can’t stick to a small portion of potato chips. The high amounts of sodium can dehydrate you and make you even hungrier. Potato chips provide very little nutrients and usually contain many unhealthy ingredients. Opt for a side salad instead.
3. Mayo-Drenched Pasta Salads and Coleslaw
Mayo-laden side dishes, such as potato salad, macaroni salad, chicken salad and coleslaw can set you back hundreds of calories in just one cup. Grilled vegetables or green salads are much better, nutrient-rich options.
4. Artificial Sweeteners & High Sugar Drinks
Who doesn’t love a refreshing sweet tea, lemonade or soft drink on a hot summer day?! However, they are usually full of sugar. If they’re ‘sugar-free,’ sweeteners such as Splenda and Equal have been shown to actually stimulate appetite, increase carbohydrate cravings, and cause weight gain. Furthermore, studies point to these chemicals causing neurological problems. Use stevia or raw honey instead, and try just adding some refreshing, real fruit or cucumber slices in sparkling water.
5. Canned Tomatoes
Tin cans are often lined with a toxic chemical called BPA. Although it can happen with all canned food, the acidity of tomatoes causes the BPA to greatly leach into the food. Buy tomatoes only in glass containers, or better yet, fresh from a local farmer’s market or grocery store.
6. Table Salt
Salt is essential for life. But not all salt is created equal. Table salt has been leached of key minerals, unlike natural salt. Natural salt contains naturally occurring beneficial minerals such as silicon, phosphorus and vanadium. Look for iodized sea salt.
7. Most Vegetable Oils
Oils that contain the word ‘vegetable’ should not be misinterpreted as healthy. Oils such as canola, soy, and corn are not only likely genetically modified, but when you cook with them, they turn into unhealthy fats. For cooking, coconut oil is a great choice, and for salads, I recommend organic, virgin, cold-pressed olive oil.
The more real, whole foods you eat, the less toxins you will ingest thus the healthier you will be and the better you will feel!
Here’s to making healthy choices that will keep you energized and feeling great all summer long!
Learn more about type 1 diabetes and healthy eating. Click here: Nutrition & Dosing for Type 1s — What You Need to Know.
Want support on how to get an A1c below 6.5%? Dr. Jody offers private calls, online courses, and a monthly education program called The T1D CREW. Learn more here: www.DrJodyND.com.
