Which foods to avoid?

I get so many questions from clients about which foods are 'good' and which are 'bad' and there seems to be an awful lot of confusion about what we should be eating to be vibrant and healthy.

Now I am afraid there is no exhaustive list of foods that are bad because the truth is that everybody is unique and their individual biochemistry determines which foods are going to be beneficial to their body or rob them of energy.

Humans have been fighting with food since the beginning of time.  Even natural foods which are health giving sometimes have toxic properties.  The food was designed to survive too, some seeds are highly toxic so humans will not chew them and they will get passed with the stools in a bush and the seeds will be sown (or more likely emptied down the toilet these days).

There are some naturally occuring proteins such as gluten found in wheat, spelt and rye that can be highly damaging to the thyroid gland and the digestive tract in certain individuals.  Dairy can be a big problem for some people, especially if they produce low levels of lactase, the enzyme which breaks down the milk sugar lactose.

SO, it really is a minefield, and that is why I suggest treating your body as a unique and wonderful machine which is alike to no other.  If you think a food is aggravating you then try an elimination diet and see if reintroducing it causes symptoms http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-can-i-test-for-wheat-intolerance.html.

Foods are not good or bad, they have reactions in the body and these can be negative or positive dependent on your body.  Most often the problem is people are having portions which exhaust the digestive tract and eating foods which are in unhelpful combinations to the body.

So here are list of foods which I am sure are not serving your health:


1. High Sugar Foods (refined white flour products/fizzy sweet drinks/sweets)

2. High Salt Foods (crisps, canned foods, ready meals, packed sandwiches, added salt)

3. High Saturated/trans/hydrogenated Fat (animal fats, dairy, fried foods, crisps, pies)

4. High Coffee/Tea (reduces nutrient absorption, dehydrates, stimulates stress hormones)

5. High Dairy Diet (often causes excess mucus, digestive problems and fatigue)


Notice that I say a 'high' intake can cause problems.  A balanced diet can have all of these in moderate amounts if it is controlled and there are no serious allergies.  It is never one cup of coffee with cake that causes the problem, but a habitual pattern that creates disaster.

So, listen to your body, enjoy your life and take care of your health, you can do them all!

Josie

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