1. Breakfast Cereals:
Packed with high fructose corn syrup, salt, sugar and preservatives, breakfast cereals are always a no-no. Instead – try quinoa porridge or a homemade granola.
2. Salted Nuts:
With sky high sodium levels, I always pass on these. Instead, choose raw or activated nuts.
3. Processed Peanut Butter:
Laden with sugar and preservatives, always choose 100% nut butter alternatives found in the health section of grocery stores, or in any health store. I love 100% almond butter or ABC (almond, brazil nut and cashew) nut butter.
4. Canned tomatoes:
This may come as a surprise, but most canned tomatoes contain salt and sugar! The resin lining of the tins often contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic oestrogen linked to nasty issues including reproductive problems, obesity and diabetes. Instead – sauté fresh tomatoes and add herbs to make your own tomato sauce.
5. Processed Bread:
Most packaged breads bought in supermarkets are refined and processed, and packed with wheat and gluten which the body struggles to digest. Instead, choose Ezeekial bread, rye, spelt or sourdough.
6. Processed Meats:
The animals that make up these products live in horrific, disease promoting conditions, and receive growth hormones, antibiotics and other drugs to encourage growth at an unnatural pace. Additionally, these meats are filled with sodium nitrate and other chemical dyes and flavourings. Always choose grass-fed, organic meat.
7. Non- Organic Dairy:
Dairy cattle are often treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone to encourage milk production, which in turn increases udder infections and even pus in milk (yuck!). Alternatively, drink organic milk, almond milk, rice milk or coconut milk.
8. Unfermented Soy Products:
Unfermented soy products (e.g. tofu and soy milk) can mess with your hormones. Instead, make sure to choose fermented soy such as tempeh or miso.
9. Pre-packaged, frozen meals:
These meals typically contain high levels of sugar, corn syrup, salt and nasty preservatives. Rushed for time? Set aside an hour or so each Sunday to prepare healthy meals and snacks for the week. This way, if your week days are rushed you always have healthy options in the fridge.
10. Margarine:
Margarine is high in “bad fats” also known as trans fats – fats formed during hydrogenation process (which turns liquid vegetable oils into solids). Instead, choose organic butters, coconut butter, or even use avocado as a butter alternative!
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