Health Tips
For realsies though!
Look, we all love our sugar cookies, cupcakes and soft white breads every once and a while. I rave about the Nanaimo Bars and cheesecake I occasionally enjoy and I’m no stranger to a big juicy burger made on a delicious brioche bun.
When you plan for it, sugary foods can be a nice treat that HELP YOU stick to your nutrition plan. They can help you reach your goals. But the fact remains that sugary foods (and breads are sugary foods) are weight-loss killers. If you’re constantly eating the cakes, cookies, white breads and even those sneaky things like Saltine crackers… not only are you filling your body with lots of calories and no nutritional value but you’re actually impairing your brain function.
What you eat affects how you think.
A study done at UCLA showed that rats who were fed a diet of high fructose corn syrup (a form of processed sugar) experienced marked memory loss and cognitive impairment. These rats were first taught to maneuver a complex maze. After 6 weeks on their high fructose corn syrup diet, the rats were physically slower, their brain function wasn’t firing property and many couldn’t complete the maze. Another group that were instead supplemented with Omega-3 fatty acids (which are said to be brain-boosting supplements) did great.
In other words: sugar affects your brain in a negative way. Lose your keys again? Maybe it was the soda you’re constantly guzzling down.
The fuel you put into your body absolutely affects how you physically, mentally and emotionally function. Every food we consume has an impact on our entire physiological system, good or bad. When we eat well, we have more energy, we think more clearly and we lose excess fat AND water weight.
Make Small Changes
I know that transitioning into a healthier lifestyle can feel overwhelming. But it can also be easy and fun when you make very small changes at a time.
For example, instead of picking up wonder bread at the grocery store, switch to Ezekiel or Whole Grain bread. Yes, it takes a little bit of time to get used to, but you still get to enjoy bread. Eventually, you’ll likely even learn to prefer it. And all the while, your body will be soaking up the nutrients from that choice, instead of having to fight the influx of sugar that’s hidden in the wonder bread.
Generally speaking, if you love, love, love something that you know isn’t great for you it can still be a part of your diet. It just needs to be a planned indulgence instead of a constant, daily habit.
You want to be healthier? You can do this. Start with just one tiny change at a time.
Want some help figuring it out? I can do that. Find me on Facebook, or send me an email. Let’s chat about what you need and how I might be able to help.
Sources: https://www.uclahealth.org/high-fructose-diet-sabotages-learning-memory
