Wrapping your head around the idea that you need to eliminate Processed Carbs, Trans fats and HFCS is a first step of a Healthy Weight Loss Plan, and it will soon become second nature.
Of course, a great side benefit to all this is expanding your culinary options. A menu and lifestyle built on a foundation of fruits and vegetables is limitless and anything but boring.
But, a Healthy Weight Loss Plan is not just about eating fruits and vegetables. It's about creating an awareness about your place in the world. You can't help but tune into what is really going on.
Healthy Eating Means Healthy Weight Loss
Eating Healthy is about Thinking Healthy-where are those fruits and veggies coming from? And sooner or later, the subject of Organic comes up. Every year Corporate Agriculture sprays millions of pounds of herbicides and pesticides across America, which is totally disgusting in it's own right. But wherever possible, you want to focus on Organic. It is odd-you can buy certified Organic and you can pretty well rest assured it is non-toxic. On the other hand,when it comes to regular produce, you have no clue how much or how little toxic chemicals are on that produce.
There is some information compiled by the Environmental Working Group-a list called the "Dirty Dozen" which details the produce with the highest levels of pesticide residue:
- Apples
- Celery
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Spinach
- Nectarines (imported)
- Grapes (imported)
- Sweet bell peppers
- Potatoes
- Blueberries (domestic)
- Lettuce
- Kale/collard greens
I know Apples and Sweet Corn are routinely doused with Malathion.
I am surprised Sweet Corn is not on this list.
I always buy Organic apples, spinach and Romaine lettuce. I believe the rest of the list may be available in Organic, depending on your area.
You will notice on the list below-the clean list-number 2 is Sweet Corn. I think it got put on the wrong list. My personal experience over many years: At least 60% of the time it reeks of Malathion.
And Corn growers are notoriously heavy users of toxic chemicals. Sweet corn is anything but clean. If you ever have an opportunity to buy fresh sweet corn just peel back the top slightly like you are checking for ripeness and smell it. Malathion has a very distinctive chemical odor.
Below is a list from the Environmental Working Groups Least Contaminated Produce:
Clean Fifteen 2011
- Onions
- Sweet corn
- Pineapples
- Avocado
- Asparagus
- Sweet peas
- Mangoes
- Eggplants
- Cantaloupe (domestic)
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Watermelon
- Sweet potatoes
- Grapefruit
- Mushrooms
Healthy Fats Are Important
In addition to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Healthy Fats are also important for a Healthy Weight Loss Plan, burning fat, and building muscle. Healthy Fats, also called Mono Unsaturated Fats, are found in extra virgin olive oil, egg yolks, raw nuts like almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, avocados, and coconut oil, peanut oil and sunflower oil. Another good source of healthy fats-grass fed meats.
Don't Forget Quality Protein
Protein is important for controlling blood sugar and insulin levels. Grass fed meats also provide quality protein. Eggs are an excellent protein source, always with yolk -one of the most nutrient dense foods you can eat. Try to get organic eggs for this very important reason-the difference between Organic eggs and factory farm eggs is the ratio of Omega 6 to 3: Factory farm -19 to 1. Organic-1 to 1.
Oh, and eating eggs does not Not NOT raise your cholesterol. In fact, all of what you hear about cholesterol from prescription drug prescribing doctors should be ignored.
Other great Protein sources: free range chicken, grass fed cattle or buffalo, milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, natural rolled oatmeal, and a whole variety of beans-black, kidney, lima, navy, lentil, and garbanzos.
