Defensive driving is characterized by prudence, diligence and reasonable cautiousness with the goal of making the road safe not only for you but for everyone around you too. Anyone who holds a driver’s license should be well-versed in this concept.
So how does it apply to eating? Well, considering the fact that the North American food supply has become tainted by genetically-modified organisms, chemicals, and is overly processed, let me count the ways.
[bctt tweet=”The food landscape in our culture has become a virtual minefield.”] There are toxins and preservatives hidden in foods that, to the average consumer, appear harmless, however, nothing could be further from the truth.
Foods claiming to be enriched or fortified are a prime example. In fact, they’re one of the biggest offenders! Food manufacturers first strip them of vitamins and minerals in the manufacturing process in order to increase shelf life only to add them back in later on.
In the case of wheat flour for instance, found in most commercialized bread, the bran and the germ in the wheat itself, which are the parts that contain the vitamins and minerals, are extracted, and as a result, your body absorbs it altogether differently.
How so you might ask? What was once considered a rich source of B vitamins, providing all-day sustainable energy, is now a processed or refined food. Your body breaks enriched flour down much more quickly, thereby flooding your bloodstream with too much sugar at one time. It then has to work overtime to absorb the excess and ultimately stores it as fat which results in sudden highs and lows in your blood sugar levels, ultimately increasing your chances of diseases like type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Not good.
But don't fear! When you’re out and about and not sure what to do, consider these 3 tips to help you become a defensive eater and ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck from your food:
Tip #1: Read Labels
Believe it or not, this can be a really hard one for a lot of people. Whereas not too long ago the average ingredients on a food label weren't many, now you’re likely to find as many as 25 or more – most of which you can’t even pronounce!
A good rule of thumb here is if you can’t pronounce it, it’s not meant for human consumption. Five ingredients or less is a good target when you’re reading labels, and they should be one-word ingredients too, like broccoli, cabbage or kale. Smart shopping doesn’t require a PhD in nutrition, but it does require an up-to-date education about food and how it's manufactured today.
Tip #2: Buy Whole, Organic Foods Often
I know a lot people complain about the price of organics, but did you know you pay more for conventional foods in your tax dollars? A lot of pesticides are used to grow conventionally grown foods, and there’s a price to pay for the hazardous waste cleanup. And guess who’s paying it? Certainly not Uncle Sam! It’s YOU.
Fruits and vegetables only have half the nutritional value they did back in the 50’s due to big agribusiness and the lack of nutrients in the soil to grow and sustain nutrient-dense yields. In turn, your body becomes just as deplete as the soil and lacks necessary vitamins and minerals to function properly.
Organics are worth the investment, not just health-wise but dollar-wise. Here’s a cost comparison* to prove my point:
- 2 medium sized organic sweet potatoes @$1 or small fries from a fast food joint loaded with fat and salt
- 2 organic red peppers @$1 or a super-sized can of highly refined, overly sweetened soda
- 6 organic chicken breasts @$10 or a sub combo from Subway
- 2 wild caught salmon fillets @$15 or a large pizza
- 18 organic eggs @$3.50 or a McDonald’s burger injected with antibiotics and hormones (yum)
You get the gist. Most people don’t bat an eyelash at the cost of a new pair of sneakers, but $.65 for an organic apple? They practically throw a fit. But this is your body we're talking about! Food is what makes you who you are. Your hair, your skin, your nails, your ability to think and function – everything!
You’re worth the investment. I’d personally rather spend my money on quality food than doctor co-pays.
Which brings me to…
Tip #3: Cook Like Your Life Depends On It, Because It Does
With our busy, fast-paced hectic lifestyles, you’re probably thinking who has time to cook?! But cooking doesn’t have to take up too much time if you use your time effectively.
You only need a few hours a week to batch cook and have pre-cooked prepared meals on hand. For example, make an entire pot of brown rice and quinoa and use it in salads, as a side dish or a breakfast porridge during the week. Or, make a double pot of chili or twice as much baked chicken as you normally would and freeze it if you have to. Cook once eat twice!
Put these time-saving tips to use and you’ll save yourself from unwanted toxins and foreign substances in your food that can lead to outbreaks of indigestion, psoriasis, bloating, constipation and more.
Access to healthy food has become rather complex but it doesn’t have to be if you arm yourself with the right information and consistently make it a priority. Do some research, get online and consult an expert such as a health coach. People are happy to pass along their knowledge and wisdom so that healthy eating becomes as easy as driving a car.
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Have fun and enjoy!
Love,
Angela
*Courtesy of Scott Tousignant's fitness blog
Angela Minelli is an author, speaker and founder of Angela Minelli International, a heart-based global business serving purpose-driven everyday women and entrepreneurs whose self-image and weight issues are inhibiting their confidence and blocking them from pursuing their life’s passion.
Angela's joy is in taking a stand for women who are living less than ideal lives, stopped by fear and doubt, which prevents them from stepping into their innate power and delivering their God-given genius to the world. Her coaching programs and products are designed for women with busy lifestyles yet allow for powerful transformation to take place within a small segment of time.
As a natural health practitioner and digestive health specialist, Angela specializes in helping people overcome weight and energy issues through holistic, non-invasive protocols that address the root cause of their conditions, including adrenal fatigue, candida, thyroid disorders, and more.
Explore the ideals that are the cornerstone of her work at angelaminelli.com.