By: Dr. Keith Kantor
- What are some foods that you never eat?
- Syrup
- Soda, sports drinks or juice
- Processed snacks (pre package cakes, etc.)
- Why not?
- Syrup- it is the most potent form of sugar and hits the blood stream immediately, raising glucose and insulin levels. This response is a recipe for developing insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. When the body is on an insulin roller coaster it is very hard to lose weight and train the body to use stored fat as a primary fuel source.
- Soda, sports drinks or juice- these drinks do not provide any nutrients, fiber or even quality hydration, instead they have chemicals, additives, dyes and coloring that has been associated with increased risk for cancer and poor glucose control (see syrup). It does not make a difference if the drink is calorie free or loaded with sugar, both options have negative effects on your health and ability to utilize fat as a fuel source. The only liquid that we should consume regularly is plain water. When we are adequately hydrated we feel better, have more energy and eat less (since the body often mistakes thirst for hinger.
- Processed snacks (pre package cakes, etc.). Everyone should enjoy their favorite baked goods on special occasions (birthdays, holidays, etc.) but they should be homemade with pure quality ingredients like real butter or from your favorite bakery that also uses real pure ingredients, like your great grandmother would. Processed prepackaged cakes, etc. are loaded with additives like hydrogenated oils that prolong shelf life and negatively impact our overall health, increasing risk for weight gain, heart disease and compromised gut health.
- What are some healthier alternatives?
- Syrup- warmed up apples or berries as a topping for your favorite homemade breakfast treats.
- Soda, sport drinks or juice- plain, or hydroxide alkaline water flavored and infused with fresh ingredients like oranges, lime, lemons, berries, cucumber, basil, and/or mint. My research shows AQUA OH! is the best. It is the purest, made from natural limestone, eliminates acid instead of just buffering it like other alkaline waters and was the least costly, since it comes in a concentrate.
- Processed snacks (pre package cakes, etc.). Find homemade alternatives that do not contain all of the processed ingredients. There are several web sites out there with no refined grains, sugars, or flours including drkeithkantor.com.
