Survive a Diet and Lifestyle Re-Vamp
“You are what you eat.” Those famous diet words ring true for Roland Semprie, fitness and nutrition expert on Slice’s Re-Vamped.
Roland shares his tips and handy list of nine items you should avoid in order to “Re-Vamp” your diet and lifestyle.
1. No Alcohol
Alcohol has the effect of dehydrating your body and contributing to higher incidences of breast cancer in women as well as certain cancers including (but not limited to) cancers of the liver, esophagus and tongue. It also can damage cardiovascular health, add to depression, lead to liver cirrhosis, hypertension, stroke, brain damage and it's fattening.
Make things easier for yourself and put your best foot forward. Alcohol is a drug and, over time, any perceived benefits are always overcome by the negative characteristics alcohol brings to the table. Water, herbal teas and vegetable juice enhancers are always better.
2. No High Glycemic Complex Carbohydrates
We used to call carbohydrates “simple” and “complex” with “simple” meaning bad and “complex” meaning good. Now we know that some “complex” carbohydrates have a high glycemic index and aren’t that much better for you. These are foods that your body can quickly absorb and cause a spike in insulin levels, meaning they can change your blood sugar quickly giving you both a sugar high and a sugar crash. This makes your body less effective in providing energy and burning fat.
Some foods to avoid are:
• Puffed cereals (including wheat and rice)
• White potatoes
• Flaked cereal
3. No Dairy
Most of the world does not consume dairy without ill effect. In fact, consumption of dairy has been linked to many adverse health symptoms including increases in allergies, lethargy, obesity and autoimmune problems. Many people don’t know that they have mild lactose intolerance until they cut it from their diet.
Cut it out of your food regime and see how much better you feel without it. Rice or almond beverages are better alternatives.
4. No Caffeine
Caffeine can cause dehydration and is an artificial stimulant, which chemically keeps you awake. When ingested, your kidneys seriously work to eliminate this drug to stop accumulation in the body. By continuously consuming it, your body gets to the point where it can't do without it. Caffeine increases stomach acidity, which can lead to ulcers; it also increases the incidence of bladder cancer, male infertility and diabetes. Caffeine has also been linked to birth defects, as it can be ingested by infants from their mother's milk. Caffeine has zero nutritive value or function. Instead, herbal teas are the way to go.
5. No Sugar
Added sugar causes spikes in insulin levels and increase the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Sugar and its various forms includes: honey, cane sugar (sucrose), high fructose corn syrup, sucralose, aspartame, sugar in the raw, brown sugar and excess glucose. Coconut sap is the best alternative.
6. No Salt
Canadians consume much more salt than recommended so don’t add any more salt to your foods. Over consumption of salt increases risk of hypertension, strokes, heart attacks, kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Salt causes you to retain water, which puts unwanted stress in your body (cells) which increases your blood pressure. That increase in will lead to a greater strain on your arteries, heart, brain and kidneys.
Remove salt from your food regime by choosing the lowest amount of salt in the foods you currently eat. If you find that is too much, then, cut it out entirely.
7. Nothing out of a Bag or a Box
Processed foods add fewer nutrients per serving than freshly prepared foods. As portion control is important, you need to focus on consuming as many nutrients in your food regime that you can while not eating a lot of filler. You should also supplement with anti-oxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals, all of which will immensely benefit your nutrition and health.
8. No Saturated Fats
Saturated fats are the biggest contributors to high cholesterol. It is found mostly in fats that come from animals (dairy, including butter, cream, cheese, as well as fat in meat, lard and tallow). Avoid them at all costs.
Because not all fats are the same, for best results use the following super foods to cook, eat, smear on your skin, or bake: coconut oil and palm oil (I know, you thought they were bad for you...quite the contrary, they are very good for you).
9. No Smoking
There are no benefits to smoking. It is bad for your organs, your circulation and increases your risk of developing cancer of the bladder, pancreas and lungs. It stains your fingers and teeth and causes pre-mature wrinkles. Smoking damages your body, affecting your brain and your heart.
Excluding death through second-hand smoke, it reduces the life expectancy of men and women from 7-14 years. According to Cancer Societies and Lung Associations, cigarette smoking is one of the main causes of death. Cigarette smoke starts to do harm the minute you inhale. It increases and raises the heart rate and blood pressure and infests your internal organs with nicotine, hydrogen cyanide, tar, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. All of those ingredients are agents which increase atherosclerosis; impairing of the brain and nervous system; edema; sudden death due to coronary disease; clogged arteries; fatty plaques which lead to myocardial infarction; cell wall damage causing emphysema; bronchial tube deterioration; adrenaline which leads to an increase of fatty acids that hinder platelets, thus creating blood clots, which are the precursors of strokes.
And there is more. No matter what, don't smoke.
For more information visit: www.rolandsemprie.com.