The Villains of Health and Wellness

I hope you saw my Instagram Post where I shared the Immune Boosting SuperHeroes list from my mentor Andrea Nakayama, founder of the Functional Nutrition Alliance. I hope you are incorporating these Immune Boosting Tips into your diet, especially now with Covid-19 impacting all of our lives.

However, it is important for you to know that there are MANY foods that you should be avoiding because of their negative effect on your health and wellness! These are the VILLAINS! Don’t go near them….they are not your friend. Think of them like that back-stabbing “friend”….you know the kind…..all nice and sweet upfront…..but there is hell to pay on the back-end!

SUGAR

Did you know sugar is Villain #1, and is considered an anti-nutrient? What does that mean? Sugar is highly processed and contains only carbohydrate energy…..no protein, fat, fiber, water, vitamins or minerals. It provides calories but doesn’t offer your body anything beneficial in return. Sugar requires many of the important nutrients like vitamins and minerals stored in your body to process it, so it’s actually stripping your body of it’s own reserves. Just say NO! And if you think Artificial Sweeteners are a better choice….keep reading.

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS

Is anything artificial ever better for you? Absolutely NOT! I definitely don’t recommend sugar as part of your diet….but if it’s between artificial sugar vs. real sugar….the real sugar would win every time. Artificial sweeteners are Villain #2. They have been implicated in increasing obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease. If you are looking for a sugar substitute, look at natural options such as monk fruit or stevia.

INFLAMMATORY OILS

PLEASE stop using unhealthy oils to cook with!! Villain #3 would be Canola, Corn, Vegetable, Soybean, Safflower, Sunflower and all Margarines….THROW THEM OUT! These oils all have an unhealthy ratio of inflammatory Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids. Think about this the next time you want to order fast food. What do you think these fast food restaurants fry their foods in? It’s definitely not the healthier oils! Use Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Ghee, and Real Butter instead! You can use these healthy fats if you are baking, frying, or roasting or making marinades or salad dressings!

DAIRY

Dairy can be a big offender for many people! Villain #4 is Dairy! If you are having any inflammation in your body, the first two things I would eliminate would be dairy and gluten. Many symptoms like headache, sinus drainage, stuffy nose and skin issues may be alleviated by eliminating dairy!

GLUTEN

This could REALLY help you….going gluten free! So many people feel better by eliminating gluten. Villain #5 is Gluten! Bloating, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, headaches, skin issues, depression, iron-deficiency anemia, anxiety, auto-immune issues, brain fog….just many of the numerous symptoms implicated from eating gluten. There are so many great gluten-free options whether you are dining out or shopping at the grocery store. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by going gluten-free!

Here is to your GOOD HEALTH AND WELLNESS!

XOXO,

Kellea