I’ve talked a lot on this blog about the impact of marketing on those looking to either lose weight, or live a healthier lifestyle. It’s truly confusing when you are bombarded daily with these ads and miracle claims. Remember my test, if it’s a “quick” fix it’s totally bogus. Reclaiming one’s health can’t truly be a “quick” fix. If it were, all these marketing folks preying upon us would be out of business.
Reclaiming one’s health is a life journey and requires work. It also requires us to be educated consumers. I wanted to share some common marketing myths and facts. These are habits I have adopted for over a year and they have been proven through research to have positive impacts on the body.
The bottom line is you need to read and learn. Be a critical consumer, especially when it comes to your health.
Marketing Lie: “Gluten-Free Bread is Healthier than Bread Made from Wheat”
If you’ve already given up traditional grain-based foods, you’ve made a wise decision!
But if you replaced these foods with their commercial gluten-free counterparts, reconsider. You see, most gluten-free breads, cereals, pastas, crackers and cookies use ingredients that are not much better (and in some cases, worse) than those made with wheat!
Like any processed junk food, these products usually contain chemical preservatives, soy protein, dough conditioners, industrial seed oils, corn and rice syrup… and often, GMOs.
And that’s not all, because…The Ingredients in Most Gluten-Free Products Will Also Send Your Blood Sugar Soaring!In place of wheat flour, most gluten-free products – and many online recipes for that matter – use flours with glycemic values that are off the charts, including:
Corn Starch
Rice Flour
Potato Starch
Tapioca Starch
Sorghum flour
Millet
Here’s what Dr. William Davis, author of Wheat Belly, has to say about these unhealthy alternatives…“These powdered starches are among the few foods that increase blood sugar higher than even whole wheat. It means these foods trigger weight gain in the abdomen, increased blood sugars, insulin resistance, diabetes, cataracts, and arthritis. They are NOT healthy replacements for wheat.” (Nutrition Watchdog)
Marketing FACT:”Drinking lemon juice elixir each morning has strong health benefits.”
Drinking a lemon juice elixir each morning, as soon as you wake up and before you put anything else in your stomach, is an excellent way to start your day. It stimulates digestion, expels toxins from the liver and supports your digestive enzymes for a busy day ahead.
Once again, the ingredient requirements are strict: your water should preferably be spring water from glass bottles, but if this isn’t available then filtered water will do. This ensures the base for your tonic isn’t introducing new toxins into your body as you drink it — that would be a bit counterproductive. Next, as above, your apple cider vinegar should be raw, organic and unfiltered. When apple cider vinegar is filtered, the health-giving SCOBY or “mother” (an accumulation of beneficial bacteria and yeast that turns the apples into vinegar) is removed, and we definitely don’t want that.
Finally, the lemon should be organic, to ensure its skin isn’t riddled with nasty pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
These health tonics work best if you keep at it — make sure you drink them as directed for at least a week to begin experiencing the myriad of health benefits they offer. (Liivi Hess)
My Lemon Elixir Recipe
- 4 oz organic coconut water
- 4 oz filtered spring water (I have home delivery service)
- 1 tbs BRAGGS Organic Vinegar
- 1 tbs Santa Maria Organic Lemon Juice
- Dash of cayenne pepper
On days when I am doing an Intermittent Fast protocol, I omit the coconut water and do 8 oz of filtered water.
Marketing Myth:Low Fat Diets help you lose weight.
Low fat everything has been the craze now for decades and look around. What has that wonderful bit of advice done for the bodies you see? We’re fatter, sicker, and more addicted to sugar and carbs than any other time in history. And, we’re passing these habits to our kids.
FACT:Fats are not to be feared – they’re to be embraced.
They do not make you fat; rather, they help your body regenerate your power hormones. Testosterone, the ‘strength’ hormone, for example, is the direct result of cholesterol and dietary fat intake. That’s right: “Cholesterol” isn’t a dirty word! Your body needs dietary fat and cholesterol in order to produce ANY AND ALL vital hormones.
People on low fat diets look drawn, gaunt, and weak. They are often sick, sometimes to the point of literally breaking down. And, they can never just enjoy eating out. Every meal and every gram must be accounted for. Do you really think this will make you younger? Of course not… it will worry you to death if it doesn’t kill you first! (5 Steps To Looking 10 Years Younger By Steve & Becky Holman)
Marketing FACT: Avoid chronic dehydration to look younger.
Water isn’t just “good for you” — water burns fat. Water suppresses hunger. Water renews your skin. Just drinking 12 ounces of pure water every day can take a few years off your face in a matter of weeks. You’ll also drop fat, have more energy, and save your kidneys and liver from chronic overwork.
When your kidneys are taxed from too little water, your liver has to take over. Now, get this: Your liver is your number one fat-burning organ. Do you REALLY want it processing liquids and toxins rather than BURNING FAT? No way, right? Well, grab a glass of water, and watch the mirror. Within a few weeks, the change to your face and body will be noticeable. (5 Steps To Looking 10 Years Younger By Steve & Becky Holman)
Be careful of amounts you consume. I just read a program that required drinking one gallon of water per day. There is such a thing as too much water and it can have negative effects on your body. The best rule of thumb I’ve heard is aim for 1/2 your body weight in ounces. Water is a struggle for me. I shoot for 5 – 17 ounce bottles per day. I use a Swell bottle to carry my filtered water with me and refill it during the day. It is stainless steel lined and insulated. I got mine on Amazon. Great investment.
MIRA Double Walled Stainless Steel Cola Shape Water Bottle, 17-Ounce – Mandala
Reclaiming My Health 