Weight Loss: Its Not Always What You Eat, But What You Dont Eat

On a little island half way in between Guam and the Philippines there is a rampant epidemic affecting the inhabitants. This tiny island of approximately 8,200 people is not afflicted with famine or a deadly disease as you might think when talking about an epidemic... the islanders are dying at much earlier ages that at any other time in their history. They have alarmingly high rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Why?

Well, the people on this island used to make their living by farming, growing bananas and coconut and lots of fishing. They used to walk everywhere, eat fresh fruits and vegetables and had lots of daily activity.

Now, with the introduction of "western culture" and the destruction of their normal behavior, the islanders now drive to their computer jobs in mostly cramped offices and eat a diet of highly processed "prepared" foods imported from the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

As you can see, exporting the "American diet" of quick and easy processed food and lack of activity has taken a healthy and active island population, and turned it into a mini version of America, along with the associated rates of obesity and disease.

--It's What You Don't Eat

You see, when losing weight, we're not only talking about weight loss, we're also talking about better health. It's hard to lose weight without taking steps to increase your healthy habits... right?

One of the most important and effective ways to lose weight and get healthier is to avoid two groups of foods.

Both of these foods have been directly linked to deteriorating health and specifically weight gain and obesity. The unhealthy ingredients in these foods have steadily (and secretly) been used in greater amounts over the last 20 years... and we haven't known it. More importantly, we haven't known the hidden dangers of eating them.

The first group of foods to avoid are those that contain "Trans Fats".

Also know as TFA's or Trans Fatty Acids, they are found in partially hydrogenated oils... manufactured and unhealthy fats. They are a silent killer hidden in our food, and have been directly linked to the skyrocketing rates of obesity in both adults and children worldwide.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest reports that banning trans fats from all foods would save at least 30,000 lives each year in the US alone. That's 82-274 needless deaths every day. The web site www.bantransfats.com shows an alarmingly clear statistical increase in obesity over the last 20 years as trans fats have become a growing part of our American diet.

The government has admitted that manufactured trans fats have no safe level for human consumption! That's zero. There is no safe level of consumption at all, but it's still in a large percentage of the products we eat every day.

In American, we spend 90% of our food budget on processed foods. The government reports that over 40% of foods found in an average grocery store contain trans fats. Most fast foods contain trans fats. Snacks, chips, candy bars, cookies, crackers, commercial baked goods, pastries and cakes... almost all processed foods contain trans fats.

In the example of the island population above, the effects of eating processed foods and lack of activity turned a healthy population into one with alarming rates of obesity and disease.

How can we avoid trans fats and their effects? What do we look out for?

1) Become a label reader.

Read the ingredient labels of foods you buy and look for "partially hydrogenated". If you see those words, avoid that food. Any food that contains "partially hydrogenated" anything is unhealthy and will negatively affect your weight loss program.

Some common foods that contain partially hydrogenated oils are:

-candy bars
-chips
-snacks
-commercially baked pastries
-processed foods
-most fast foods
-cookies
-cake mixes
-cereals

Bottom line, you can't lose weight and regularly eat foods containing partially hydrogenated oils.

2) Ask questions.

When eating out, ask if the foods you are ordering contain "partially hydrogenated oil" or "trans fats".

3) Look for alternatives.

The good news is that because of more media exposure about the dangers of "trans fats", companies are starting to replace "partially hydrogenated oils" with alternative ingredients and creating healthier versions of some of your favorite products.

Restaurants are starting to add more natural oils and are removing partially hydrogenated oils from their kitchens. Ask about it when eating out.

Try to get as many "whole" foods into your diet. Add more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats and avoid processed, prepared and fast foods as much as possible.

Avoiding these hidden oils in the food you eat every day alone will make a significant impact on your health, and specifically in reaching your weight loss goals. Add a few lifestyle changes and imagine where you will be on your journey towards better health next month.

In Part 2 of this article, I'll cover the other secret additive in foods that no one talks about. This ingredient tricks your brain into thinking what you are eating is delicious and makes you want to continue to eat it, bypassing all your natural signals of feeling full and satisfied! It's also found in a large group of foods we eat every day.

Mark Idzik is a health coach with a national clientele who helps his clients feel better, get more energy, lose weight and make better health choices. Get his 37 free tips to guaranteed weight loss by visiting: http://www.Everyday-Weight-Loss.com/?src=wyde#tips

---

Cellulite: Do We Have To Lump It?

What is cellulite? Ask a doctor and he will probably... Read More

From Now On, Europe Focuses On Dieting Pills

A state of emergency has been recently put on European... Read More

Can Weight Loss Improve Your Health And Make You Feel Better?

Many people today are interested in weight loss and weight... Read More

Advanced Body Acceptance: The Secret To Weight Loss Success

Self-acceptance and body love can be tough concepts to grasp... Read More

How to Curb Carbohydrate Cravings!

As a weight loss mentor it never ceases to amaze... Read More

Eating for Health, Happiness and Successful Weight Control

Don't diet, just eat and lose weight!First, the following "diet"... Read More

Diet Preparaton -- The Impact of Sleep and Stress

When you have started a diet in the past, how... Read More

Caution! Watch Out For The Net Carb Trap!

As a low carb dieter, you have probably been bombarded... Read More

Weight Loss Success with the South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet was not created by your typical... Read More

How I Easily Lost 21 lbs. in Just Weeks- Without Getting Hungry!

I was shocked. I started to cry...After the holidays, I... Read More

Little Known Facts About Changes In Our Diet

To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an... Read More

Fat Burning Tips

These fat burning tips can help you discover a fat... Read More

The TRUTH About How to Lose Weight

The huge companies stealing your money by promising impossible results... Read More

Coconut Oil Diets

Have you heard about coconut oil diets yet? People are... Read More

How To Get Rid Of Your Belly Fat Or Pooch

The best way you can get rid of your pop... Read More

5 Tips To Losing Weight With Convenience Food

While it would be ideal to make all of our... Read More

Diet or Lifestyle?

"I am going to start a diet tomorrow". How many... Read More

Weight Loss Through the Right Natural Food

At its most basic, dieting is about burning more calories... Read More

The Answer to Combining Diet & Exercise for Maximum Weight Loss

Put simply, your resting metabolic rate is the minimum number... Read More

Atkins Diet ? Simple Advice

Just like any other diet, the Atkins diet can become... Read More

Weight Training for Weight Loss

Weight training combines building muscle tone and working the cardiovascular... Read More

Weight Loss Psychology- Sticking to an Exercise Program!

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NUMBERS!The health clubs are always racking... Read More

Anger: The Unexpected Emotion After Gastric Bypass Surgery

The words I read made me furious. There it was,... Read More

The R Factors - Your Answer For Getting To The Perfect Body For Fitness And Health

Building a Perfect Body for Body Perfect Fitness and Health... Read More

Say No To Obesity

Obesity still remains one of the commonest avoidable causes of... Read More

Theyre Wide, Theyre Here, Get Used to It

America's Obesity EpidemicAs the numbers of overweight Americans continue to... Read More

Healing Food Addiction

Hannah was distressed that, with all the inner work she... Read More

How Body Mass Index Works ? Set Your Weight Loss Goals

Many people want to lose a few of those annoying... Read More

The Benefits of Omega3 Fatty Acids - Losing Weight with Fat!

Essential Fats for Weight LossOver the past few decades, the... Read More

Weight Loss Surgery ? The Benefits and Financial Cost

Generally, weight loss surgery such as the gastric bypass will... Read More

Avoid These Five Common Weight Loss Mistakes

Mistake 1: Not changing your calorie plan as you lose... Read More

Cleansing the Body for a Detox Weight Loss!

Cleansing: How to Kickstart your Alkaline LifestyleDue to the highly... Read More

Health Secrets of Cayenne

For many years, herbalists believe that Cayenne is the most... Read More