Eating healthy can seem overwhelming… trust me, I know.
With so much information out there it’s hard to know who to trust and what to do … let alone finding the time to even research and figure it out!
But what if I told you making healthy changes didn’t have to be all-consuming….
That you could make a few quick swaps in your kitchen and see some amazing results… would you be in?
Good – I hope your answer was YES, because that’s exactly what I’m going to tell you in this post.
The key with eating healthy isn’t just eating fruits and veggies , it’s removing foods that cause inflammation in your body so your metabolism and hormones can work effectively.
Below are a few quick swaps you can make to quickly get rid of the bloating and inflammation caused by these unsuspecting items in your refrigerator and pantry.
Avocado oil > Vegetable oil
Vegetable oils such as soy, corn, sunflower, and peanut are high in omega 6 fat. Although omega 6 fat is needed in the body, too much can cause problems like inflammation. The problem isn’t omega 6 fat itself , the problem is the current ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 in our modern lifestyle. Because most peoples diets are low in omega 3 and high in omega 6, adding more only exacerbates the issue. To make things worse, most people use vegetable oil for frying or sautéing foods at higher heat. When you use vegetable oils at high heat it creates harmful free radicals that damage the body and create MORE inflammation. The best option for any high heat cooking is avocado oil which has a super high smoke point of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grass fed butter > Margarine or Conventional Butter
If you like butter (I mean who doesn’t) then make sure you’re always opting for a grass-fed brand. Studies show grass-fed butter is up to 5 times higher in CLA, a polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) is shown to help fight cancer, improve brain function, lower inflammation and even has been touted to help weight loss- as shown in some studies. In addition, it provides vitamin K and a higher omega 3 ratio than its grain-fed counterpart. Margarine is something you want to completely avoid as its made with inflammatory trans – fats.
Coconut Aminos > Soy Sauce
Yes, the soy sauce you use and love can be a huge cause of inflammation in some people. In addition to the issues with phytoestrogens, soy sauce typically contains MSG, tons of sodium and gluten. All massive offenders when it comes to inflammation. Instead, opt for a substitute. My favorite is coconut aminos but you can use a sauce like tamarind, as well.
Almond or Cashew Butter > Peanut Butter
Ugh, I know this may be your least favorite to read … I mean who doesn’t love a nice comforting PB&J sandwich? But that tasty jar of ground up peanuts could be wrecking havoc in your body. Peanuts are one of the most highly sprayed crops when looking at glyphosate levels, a harmful chemical that can cause cancer and immune dysfunction. In addition they commonly contain high amounts of alflatoxin, a poisonous carcinogen that comes from 2 different types of mold. That’s not even taking into account the people who are sensitive to peanuts. They are all around just not good. If you crave nut butter (I know I do!), switch to almond, cashew or hazelnut spreads … they taste just as good and are a much healthier option.
Stevia > Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweetener is exactly as the name suggests, artificial. Because of this, the body cannot process it…which then signals an immune response… which then leads to inflammation.
As explained, inflammation is at the root of all health problems. To balance your body you have to combat inflammation at all costs.
But wait- there’s more… if inflammation wasn’t enough, artificial sweeteners are a proven neurotoxin.. which is a poison that acts on your nervous system.
I bet you’re thinking twice about that diet soda now.
Instead, opt for a natural sweetener like Stevia or just cut the sweetness completely. You will absolutely adapt.
There are sooo many nutrition swaps that you can make to improve your metabolism, hormones, weight, and overall health, so if you found this helpful, please comment below, and I’ll be sure to share some healthy metabolism friendly nutrition swaps!