I have a major sweet tooth as does most of the population in the world. How do you not like sweets, right? Consider yourself lucky if you do not have a major sweet tooth. I actually have a couple of friends that do not like sweets, and I am envious of their taste buds.
I love chocolate chip cookies and I love ice cream, but I know that these food items contain a lot of bad refined sugars, which are not good for my mind, body and health. I know which food items that I need to consume to fuel me with energy. Here are some Superfoods to add to your nutrition game to boost your immune system: dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, arugula, collard greens, swiss chard), berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries), nuts and seeds (almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, cashews, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds), ginger, turmeric, avocado, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, seaweed, asparagus, carrots, broccoli, and brussels sprouts. There are many other Superfoods out there so try to incorporate as many of them as you possibly can to enhance your health.
One other simple tip when it comes to sugar. Please do not mistake the sugar coming from fruits as being bad for you. Fruit contains natural sugars along with vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and water that energizes your body. Your body prefers to have you consume sugar from fruits rather than soda or cake. Trust me on this one, I’ve asked my body before.
Going back to sugar and my major sweet tooth. I’m all about enjoying the process, so I reward myself with one cheat meal per week. Please don’t let this cheat meal turn into a cheat day, and then a cheat weekend, and then it gets really tough to get back on track afterwards.
I will end this week’s blog with the top food items which contain a great amount of bad sugar. Remove or reduce your intake and be mindful of the following items in your nutrition: Ketchup, BBQ Sauce, Fruit Juice, Sports Drinks, Energy Drinks, Soda, Desserts (cookies, cake, pies, donuts, candies…) Low Fat Yogurt, Spaghetti Sauce, Chocolate Milk, Flavored Coffees, Iced Tea, Protein Bars, Breakfast Cereal, Cereal Bars, Canned Fruit, and Canned Baked Beans.
Make the switch and replace these sweets with healthier alternatives such as almond butter or peanut butter, fresh fruits (apple, banana, berries, pineapple, cherry, mango), dark chocolate, acai bowls, and honey. Keep all items to moderate levels and find a good balance that works for you. Balance and variety are essential to life!
Quote of the Week: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
-Albert Einstein
Song of the Week: Fly Project – Mexico by Sak Noel & Franklin Dam (Remix)
