For Optimal Nutrition, Read The Label & Avoid “THE 7”

Are you looking to improve nutrition, but don’t know where to start? Have you purchased foods that appear to be healthy, but you continue to gain weight? Do you use various Abs exercise machines and yet your Abs remain hidden? Start reading nutrition labels and avoid “THE 7”.

“THE 7” are six food or beverage ingredients and one food processes you should avoid to assist in attaining your weight goals. An easy means to recall “THE 7” is to use the following mnemonic: F-A-T-H-A-M-R. “THE 7” includes:

•High Fructose Corn Syrup or HFCS: This is a manufactured sweetener and preservative added to various foods or beverages to preserve shelf life. HFCS (and corn syrup) contain a high-calorie content that can contribute to weight gain. They’re contained in many candies, pastries, sodas and fruit drinks.

•Artificial Colors: Chemically produced additives used to make food appear more colorful. However, these additives may increase the risk of various health-related ailments. Make a conscious effort to avoid ingredients such as “Yellow 5”, “Yellow 6” or “Red 40”. Artificial colors are contained in certain cereals, candies, ice creams, and “fruit” drinks.

•Trans Fat: Artificial fat that is used by food manufactures to prolong shelf life. Trans fat has been known to give your body a one-two punch: It increases “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and reduces “good” cholesterol (HDL), thus increasing the risk of heart disease. Trans fats are used in the production of various foods such as crackers, cookies, pastries and microwavable buttered popcorn.

•Hydrogenated or Partially Hydrogenated Oils: Oils manufactured by producers to preserve food for longer, especially cookie and cracker products. These oils can have an adverse effect on heart health.

•Artificial Flavors: Contain a combination of chemicals to enhance the taste of food. The chemicals used to produce artificial flavors may increase the risk of various health-related ailments. Artificial flavors are contained in certain cereals, ice creams, sodas, and “fruit” drinks.

•MSG (Monosodium Glutamate): A salt-like amino acid that is used to enhance the taste of foods. Certain additives in MSG may contribute to headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea. MSG has also been linked to obesity. MSG is contained in certain Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups, and processed meats.

•Refining or Bleaching: A food process that alters the natural color of certain foods such as rice and bread. Unfortunately, the refining/bleaching process removes many of the natural nutrients in foods depriving the body of the maximum nutrients it needs to operate at an optimal level. Beware of items that include the phrase bleached-enriched, such as bleached-enriched flour or bleached-enriched bread. Enriching a product occurs when a food manufacturer adds back some of the nutrients removed during the refining/bleaching process. The word “enriched” included on the label may seem healthy but it doesn’t necessarily provide your body with optimal nutrition.

A diet that excludes members of “THE 7” is just as important as exercise and sleep in the quest for optimal health.

For more tips on how to use nutrition, exercise and sleep to attain and maintain optimal health, pick up a copy of Body Under Construction.

You can also attend any of the upcoming “Come Shop With Me!” events where Sloan Luckie, author of Body Under Construction, shows you how to shop for healthy great tasting foods at great prices.