Swap regular/Diet Soda for hydroxide alkaline water. Diet soda and regular soda are filled with harmful chemicals, preservatives, additives, artificial and syrup sweeteners. Swapping out sodas both diet or regular with hydroxide alkaline water will reduce inflammation, improve muscle recovery and improve overall vitality. This is done by the hydroxide (OH-) combining with Hydrogen ions (H+) (which causes acidity and thus inflammation) and forming water. The water is then either used by the body or excreted out. Infusing water with fresh fruit such as lemon, lime, berries, oranges, ginger, basil, cucumber or mint can provide flavor without the harmful additives and empty calories that soda has. It is ideal to consume half your body weight in ounces of hydroxide alkaline water per day.
Swap low calorie snack packs for nuts or seeds. Low calorie snacks like cookies, crackers, etc. may seem harmless but they still have a negative impact on insulin levels resulting in a surge and a crash, leaving people wanting more lower calorie snacks. These empty high carbohydrate foods not only cause increased cravings for sugar but they get in the way of your body’s fat burning capabilities because your body is unable to use it’s own fat stores for fuel, instead it uses the snack for energy, reducing metabolic efficiency. Replace these high carbohydrate snacks with heart healthy fats from nuts or seeds. Nuts and seeds do not raise insulin levels and they will keep you feeling full for a longer period of time, reducing cravings for sugary foods.
Swap spaghetti for zucchini noodles. It is ideal to consume 9-11 servings of vegetables and some fruit per day, but most of us do not meet that goal. Figuring out ways to replace cultural staples like pasta or spaghetti with vegetable options instead can improve glucose levels, resulting in decreased risk of developing blood sugar related diseases like type 2 diabetes. You can spiralize a zucchini or some grocery stores already sell pre spiraled zucchini noodles, instead of boiled them sauté them with olive oil for 2-5 minutes or until they soften but be careful because they can get mushy quick. Serve them with marinara sauce or pesto.