One of the most frequent questions patients ask me is “What do you think about eating …..? Next most frequent? How can I lose my gut?
In today’s Health alert, I’ll try and combine these most common concerns and tell you about three foods you should avoid if you want to become leaner. And, for better diet choices, I’ll give you a few healthy alternatives.
America’s Most Wanted
In the US, convenience is king. But we pay for it with added inches to our waistline. And those extra pounds lead to chronic diseases like obesity, cancer and heart disease.
Here are three foods that will put you on the fast track to fat:
French Fries: Possibly the worst foods you can eat. First off, potatoes are high glycemic and not good for you in any form. But when you take potatoes and deep-fry them trans fatty oil, you have a recipe for sickness and disease.
While white potatoes aren’t the best choice, the oil they’re cooked adds much more danger than the potatoes do. If you need a potato fix now and then, opt for a baked potato or better yet sweet potatoes. They’re loaded with carotenoids, vitamin C, potassium and fiber.
Breakfast cereal: This one is a little deceptive. No one thinks of cereal as being a threat to their health. But no matter which one you choose, breakfast cereals are high on the glycemic index. For many people, a dose of high glycemic carbs in the morning is the prescription for building excess body fat.
It might be a fast fix when you’re rushing in the morning, but when the buzz wears off, you’ll be left feeling tired and sluggish. As contrarian as it is, I’m convinced that, a steady diet of breakfast cereals can make fat loss extremely difficult.
Bagels and Breads: Don’t fall for the “whole-grain goodness” trap. When it comes to glycemic index, it matters very little whether breads are made from whole grain or not. Grains spike your blood sugar and you know what that means.
Forget about the commercials you see on TV. Unless you are very poor and can’t get enough calories without them, you should avoid grains at least until you get as lean as you want to be. You’ll be better of without them.
Reach for the Healthy Alternatives
In the morning, take a few extra moments and scramble some eggs. Before you throw the eggs in, sauté some sliced tomatoes and spinach. Maybe some onion too. In less than ten minutes, you can have a breakfast that will make you feel pumped and energetic for the whole morning.
And if you really need a hand-held lunch, try a wrap instead of a sandwich. More and more restaurants offer wraps these days. They come in all styles – spinach is my favorite. (Try and avoid the heavy flour tortillas.)
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD