Cleanse your body and cupboard

Spring Cleaning

It’s not unusual at this time of year to get a surge of energy to clean out closets, garages and such. But when was the last time you cleaned out your pantry and refrigerator? A key to healthy eating is a well stocked kitchen. You need to arm yourself with many healthy food choices and rid yourself of unhealthy trigger foods.

Throw Out:

Hydrogenated Oils - These are found in cookies, crackers and a variety of processed foods. The problem is not the fat, but the process. They are changed to make them more stable and have a longer shelf life. The result is an unhealthful, possibly carcinogenic effect in your food. Trans fatty acids work to increase LDL, “bad” cholesterol and they also decrease HDL cholesterol, which is “good” cholesterol. This means that the fats in hydrogenated oil are far more damaging than even saturated fats, which doctors have already determined to be harmful.

HFC’s (High Fructose Corn Syrup) - Check almost any sweet processed food and you will find high fructose corn syrup. It is made by changing sugar in cornstarch to fructose. Why use it? It is cheaper and has a longer shelf life than regular sugar. Research is unclear but high fructose corn syrup has been associated with obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol. Even if unproven, it is clear that this sweetener is high in empty calories that provide no nutritional value.

White Foods - If it’s white don’t bite. In the process of making flour white, half of the good unsaturated fatty acids, that are high in food value, are lost in the milling process alone, and virtually all the vitamin E is lost with the removal of wheat germ and bran. As a result, the remaining flour in the white bread you buy contains only poor quality proteins and fattening starch… White bread is “dead” bread. Look for whole grain foods which are full of fiber and nutrition.

If this is your first time cleaning out the kitchen, it may be discouraging to see just how many foods in your diet are healthful. However, there are endless products on the market that can replace your old favorites. Shop at your local health food market such as Wild Oats and Whole Foods and the shelves are stocked with good-for-you choices. Get excited about some new food choices and enjoy trying some new tastes and your family will be sure to join you!