The New Year is a great time to start a new diet, a new exercise routine, or make changes in your relationships with friends and family. However, sometimes those changes can seem like too much of a commitment or it can be challenging to stick to them, and you are left feeling hopeless and discouraged. But there are a few simple ways that you can kickstart the new year that will help you feel healthier, give you more energy and even save you money. Use the remainder of the year to purge these foods from your pantry and start 2019 with a clean cupboard. You don’t have to stick to some elaborate diet to begin your health journey, simply stop buying these unhealthy foods and you are off to a great start!
Whole wheat bread
There has been a common misconception circulating for years that whole wheat bread is actually good for you. In reality, it is no better than white bread and is still filled with nasty wheat that can cause serious weight gain. Whole wheat bread is essentially junk food, and your daily sandwich may be keeping you from ditching those last few stubborn pounds. Keep an eye out for any bread that says “enriched flour.”
What to buy instead: It may be a good idea to skip the bread altogether, but if you insist on eating bread, be sure to read the label for any added ingredients and look for bread that has more than four grams of protein. You can also try Ezekial bread or a lettuce wrap instead.
Soda
Though this one may seem obvious, it’s amazing how common excessive soda consumption is. Even if you stick to one can, you are still ingesting 40-50 grams of sugar in just one drink. This doesn’t leave a lot of room for any of the other sugar you may consume throughout the day. Plus, there is not a single beneficial ingredient in any soda, and it is created by a chemcial laden process. Chemically engineered liquid sugar…does that sound like something you want to put in your body?
What to buy instead: If you really enjoy carbonation and find yourself wanting those “bubbles” back, try drinking sparkling water instead. Be sure you are drinking sparkling water with no added sugar or sugar alternatives as they can be equally as detrimental.
Bagels
Bagels are another common breakfast food that can wreak havoc on your day. When you start your day with a bagel of any kind, you are just asking for trouble. The empty calories in a bagel are astronomical and eating one does nothing but make you hungrier.
What to buy instead: For your breakfast meal, opt for a piping hot bowel for oatmeal with a dollop of cream and maple syrup to sweeten, if desired. Oatmeal is a fiber-filled meal that keeps you full throughout the morning.
Protein powder
Protein powder is one of the greatest health lies. In general, there is nothing good about protein powder, and most types are filled with added sugar, allergens, GMOs, and long lists of unpronounceable ingredients.
What to buy instead: Take some time and do your research before purchasing any kind of protein powder. Be sure that you buy certified organic, that you actually know what the words on the label mean, and stay away from whey and dairy-based products.
Juice
Ah, fruit juice, one of the most healthy ways to start your day…right? Wrong. In fact, there is little actual fruit in most of the juices available on the grocery store shelf whether you’re drinking orange, apple, cranberry, or anything in between. Put quite simply…it’s bad for you. Most juice will say “from concentrate” on the label. This means that there is a very small amount of fruit in what you are drinking and a large amount of sugar water. Fruit juice spikes your blood sugar and one glass can even contain as much sugar as a can of soda.
What to buy instead: There are a few juices out there that are actually healthy and contain real fruit. Try looking for pure blueberry or pomegranate juices with no added sugar as they possess some health benefits. Alternatively, you can purchase fresh fruit and juice it yourself. That way you know exactly what you’re drinking. Keep in mind, however, that even freshly squeezed juice has a lot of natural sugar, so it’s important to drink any kind of juice in moderation and not as a water alternative.
-Susan Patterson