{"id":2197,"date":"2013-09-09T06:00:17","date_gmt":"2013-09-09T10:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wellnesswithangela.com\/stopsugarcravings\/?p=2197"},"modified":"2022-08-25T22:24:52","modified_gmt":"2022-08-26T03:24:52","slug":"why-be-defensive-eater","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/angelaminelli.com\/blog\/why-be-defensive-eater\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Want to Be a Defensive Eater"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\"VectorDefensive driving is characterized by prudence, diligence and reasonable cautiousness <\/strong>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.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tSo 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.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t[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.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tFoods claiming to be enriched or fortified are a prime example.  In fact, they’re one of the biggest offenders!  Food manufacturers first strip<\/strong> them of vitamins and minerals <\/strong>in the manufacturing process in order to increase shelf life only to add them back in later on.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tIn 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.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tHow 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 <\/span>sudden highs and lows<\/strong> <\/strong>in your blood sugar levels, ultimately increasing your chances of diseases like type 2 diabetes and obesity. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tNot good.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tBut don't fear!  When you’re out and about and not sure what to do, <\/strong>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:\n<\/p>\n

\n\tTip #1: Read Labels<\/strong><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tBelieve 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!\n<\/p>\n

\n\tA good rule of thumb here is if you can’t pronounce it, it’s not meant for human consumption<\/strong>.  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.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tTip #2: Buy Whole, Organic Foods Often<\/strong><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tI 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.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tFruits and vegetables only have half the nutritional value<\/strong> 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.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tOrganics are worth the investment, not just health-wise but dollar-wise.  Here’s a cost comparison* to prove my point:\n<\/p>\n