Five Foods to Stop Buying Now

Making the right food choices is instrumental in any fitness or weight-loss plan.

For most people, food is one of the most difficult things to control. If you are a working mom like me, then you know that during the day it is difficult to make healthy food choices, when non-healthy food options are so much easier to attain. When you get home, its much easier to just order out, or pop something in the microwave than to cook a healthy, delicious meal for your family who doesn’t understand that you have just been on your feet for 8+ hours.
Still, food choices are one of the most important aspects of any fitness plan or diet, so here are five foods you should cut out immediately. If you can at least do that, you will be on a better track towards smart food choices, and better health for you and your family.

Canned vegetables: While frozen veggies are actually good for you, canned veggies are not, because they are most likely stripped of important nutrients and fiber, while being very high in sodium. Always choose frozen over canned, and you will notice a difference in your health.

READ MORE: Five Superfoods For Better Heart Health

High-starch vegetables: Corn, potatoes, peas, pumpkin, squash, and yams are all high in starch, and low in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Starchy veggies also typically contain more calories than leafy veggies, so if you have a choice, opt for leafy greens over starch every time.

Processed fruit drinks: ‘Real juice’ labeled products like Naked Smoothies are actually loaded with sugar, artificial sweeteners, and can actually increase your cravings for other unhealthy foods. If you are craving a smoothie or fruit drink, go for something freshly made and not processed.

White bread and pasta: Refined grains, such as those found in white bread, pasta, rice, crackers, and pretzels are lacking in both bran and germ. When choosing breads or pasta, go for ‘whole-grain’ or ‘whole-wheat’, which won’t spike your blood sugar the way white bread will.

Processed meats: If you are a meat eater, fish and chicken are always better than red meat, and processed meats should be cut immediately. Processed meats such as deli meat, hot dogs, and sausages are high in sodium, preservatives, and saturated fat, so its best to look elsewhere to fulfill your protein needs.

I know its almost impossible to entirely change your diet, but if you can start making these small changes, you may see a change in your overall health, which may spur you to make even more changes. Before you know it, you will have a clean, healthy diet, and you will never look or feel better. Good luck!

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