On a little island half way in between Guam and the
Philippines there is a rampant epidemic affecting
the inhabitants. This tiny island of approximately
8,200 people is not afflicted with famine or a deadly
disease as you might think when talking about an
epidemic… the islanders are dying at much earlier
ages that at any other time in their history. They have
alarmingly high rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes
and obesity.
Why?
Well, the people on this island used to make their living
by farming, growing bananas and coconut and lots of
fishing. They used to walk everywhere, eat fresh fruits
and vegetables and had lots of daily activity.
Now, with the introduction of “western culture” and the
destruction of their normal behavior, the islanders now
drive to their computer jobs in mostly cramped offices and
eat a diet of highly processed “prepared” foods imported
from the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
As you can see, exporting the “American diet” of quick and
easy processed food and lack of activity has taken a
healthy and active island population, and turned it into a
mini version of America, along with the associated rates
of obesity and disease.
–It’s What You Don’t Eat
You see, when losing weight, we’re not only talking about
weight loss, we’re also talking about better health. It’s
hard to lose weight without taking steps to increase your
healthy habits… right?
One of the most important and effective ways to lose weight
and get healthier is to avoid two groups of foods.
Both of these foods have been directly linked to
deteriorating health and specifically weight gain and
obesity. The unhealthy ingredients in these foods have
steadily (and secretly) been used in greater amounts over
the last 20 years… and we haven’t known it. More
importantly, we haven’t known the hidden dangers of eating
them.
The first group of foods to avoid are those that contain
“Trans Fats”.
Also know as TFA’s or Trans Fatty Acids, they are found in
partially hydrogenated oils… manufactured and unhealthy
fats. They are a silent killer hidden in our food, and
have been directly linked to the skyrocketing rates of
obesity in both adults and children worldwide.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest reports that
banning trans fats from all foods would save at least
30,000 lives each year in the US alone. That’s 82-274
needless deaths every day. The web site http://www.bantransfats.com
shows an alarmingly clear statistical increase in obesity
over the last 20 years as trans fats have become a growing
part of our American diet.
The government has admitted that manufactured trans fats
have no safe level for human consumption! That’s zero. There
is no safe level of consumption at all, but it’s still in a
large percentage of the products we eat every day.
In American, we spend 90% of our food budget on processed
foods. The government reports that over 40% of foods found
in an average grocery store contain trans fats. Most fast
foods contain trans fats. Snacks, chips, candy bars,
cookies, crackers, commercial baked goods, pastries and
cakes… almost all processed foods contain trans fats.
In the example of the island population above, the effects
of eating processed foods and lack of activity turned a
healthy population into one with alarming rates of obesity
and disease.
How can we avoid trans fats and their effects?
What do we look out for?
1) Become a label reader.
Read the ingredient labels of foods you buy and look for
“partially hydrogenated”. If you see those words, avoid
that food. Any food that contains “partially hydrogenated”
anything is unhealthy and will negatively affect your weight
loss program.
Some common foods that contain partially hydrogenated oils
are:
-candy bars
-chips
-snacks
-commercially baked pastries
-processed foods
-most fast foods
-cookies
-cake mixes
-cereals
Bottom line, you can’t lose weight and regularly eat foods
containing partially hydrogenated oils.
2) Ask questions.
When eating out, ask if the foods you are ordering contain
“partially hydrogenated oil” or “trans fats”.
3) Look for alternatives.
The good news is that because of more media exposure about
the dangers of “trans fats”, companies are starting to
replace “partially hydrogenated oils” with alternative
ingredients and creating healthier versions of some of your
favorite products.
Restaurants are starting to add more natural oils and are
removing partially hydrogenated oils from their kitchens.
Ask about it when eating out.
Try to get as many “whole” foods into your diet. Add more
fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats
and avoid processed, prepared and fast foods as much as
possible.
Avoiding these hidden oils in the food you eat every day
alone will make a significant impact on your health, and
specifically in reaching your weight loss goals. Add a
few lifestyle changes and imagine where you will be on
your journey towards better health next month.
In Part 2 of this article, I’ll cover the other secret additive in foods that no one talks about. This ingredient tricks your brain into thinking what you are eating is delicious and makes you want to continue to eat it, bypassing all your natural signals of feeling full and satisfied! It’s also found in a large group of foods we eat every day.
Mark Idzik is a health coach with a national clientele who helps his clients feel better, get more energy, lose weight and make better health choices. Get his 37 free tips to guaranteed weight loss by visiting: http://www.Everyday-Weight-Loss.com/?src=wyde#tips [http://www.Everyday-Weight-Loss.com/?src=wyde1#tips]
