The Great Food Exchange

Sickness and disease does not fall out of the sky, land on our heads and into our bodies. Many of the diseases Americans are enduring are called the diseases of affluence.

Definition of affluence: an abundant supply.

Our prosperous America is facing a spiral of diseases connected to excess of unhealthy foods and life style choices. We are consuming in surplus, overload, overindulgence, extra and immoderation of:

• Fat
• Sugar
• Sodium
• Preservatives
• Alcohol
• Cooked foodd
• Processed foods
• Status foods

And too little:

• Raw fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Herbs
• Seeds and raw nuts
• Exercise
• Water
• Sleep
• Rest
• Lowering stress

We are drowning in the worst of foods and ignoring the best of foods.

Once I accepted the truth that the foods I was consuming were nurturing sickness and disease rather than health and wellness, I made a list of all the foods I needed to remove from my pantry and refrigerator and the foods I needed to exchange for a quality product.

Next
, I replaced them or attempted to make my own. Thankfully we are seeing the rise of health conscious food companies that are meeting the consumer demand for quality health foods and ingredients.

The following list will help you exchange unhealthy foods for healthier foods. You can find the items listed at any health food store like Sprouts, Whole Foods or Sunflower Market. Conventional grocery stores are also starting to carry healthier products in designated aisles.

Mayonnaise —>Veganaise

Butter, Shortening, Margarine
 —> Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Earth Balance

Processed Cheese
 —> Yogurt Cheese, Goat Cheese

White/Enriched Flour
 —> 100% Whole Wheat Flour, Spelt Flour

White/Enriched Pasta —> Whole Grain Pasta

White Rice —> Brown Rice, Wild Rice

Whole Milk, 2% Milk, Skim Milk  —> Organic Soy/Almond/Rice/Oat Milk

Ice Cream/Ice Cream Desserts  —> Soy Ice Cream, Fruit Smoothies

White Sugar, Brown Sugar
  —> Stevia, Sucanat, Agave, Honey

Canned Vegetables and Fruits  —> Raw vegetables and fruit

Roasted nuts and seeds  —> Raw nuts and seeds

Processed Chicken breast
  —> Organic Chicken Tenders, Nitrate-Free

Smoked meats
  —> Non-Smoked Meats

Packaged Deli Meats —> Natural/Deli, Nitrate Free, Low Sodium

Salt
  —> Celtic Salt, Sea Salt

Packaged spices
  —> Mrs. Dash Original Seasonings

Canned beans
  —> Home made beans

Instant Oatmeal
  —> Organic Steel Cut/Thick Rolled Oats

Instant Mashed Potatoes  —> Home Made Potatoes

Corn Tortilla Chips
  —> Organic Blue Corn Chips Low Salt

Packaged Cookies
  —> Home Made Cookies

White Bread
  —> Ezekiel Bread, Spelt Bread, Whole Grain Bread

Processed Yogurt  —> Plain Yogurt Sweetened with Stevia

Making the necessary changes in your food supply starts by exchanging as many products in your refrigerator and pantry as possible for healthier products. Do what you can. It takes time to acquire the taste for health. We have been living in a food culture that concentrates on taste rather than nutrition. It takes time to retrain your taste and your mind to accept what is wholesome and healthy.

If you have specific allergies and health complications it is best to check with your doctor before making any changes. Nevertheless, even for those who are experiencing health challenges, consuming whole foods is a step in the right direction to reclaiming your health and preventing further disease.

Experience How Simple Health Really Is!

Becky