Health Tip #31: The Dangers of Splenda

Everyone keeps talking about the dangers about aspartame (equal) but no one is talking about sucralose (splenda). Sucralose is made by taking real sugar and processing it so that the sucrose (sugar) is taken out and leaving the sweet part that cant be metabolized by your body. (Sucralose does contain calories but because your body doesnt metabolize it the calories have no effect...apparently) During the process chlorine is added to help remove the real sugar part. Yup you read that right, chlorine. The stuff you put in pool, the stuff you wash your whites in. Aspartame has shown to cause many bad side effect when drank in soda regularly and sucralose is no different. common side effects associated with the use of Splenda include headaches and migraines, nausea, upset stomach, digestive issues and dizziness. You may be getting it somewhere you didn't even know. Of course there is Diet Coke with Splenda, Pepsi ONE uses it, Diet Mountain Dew, Diet Lipton iced teas, regular and with lemon. All Diet Rite drinks contain it as well as Hansen's Diet Sodas.  Nabisco-brand Snackwells sugar-free sandwich cookies, sugar-free yogurts and ice cream, canned fruits and fruit gels, sugar-free jelly, Crystal Light, Ocean Spray Light Juice Drinks, Arizona Diet Iced Teas all use Splenda. Even some Nutrition bars use Splenda instead of sugar to reduce calories.

You may think you are doing good by replacing Aspartame with Splenda but your not. It is an easy jump to say, "I should stop drinking Diet Pepsi and switch to Pepsi One" but your only opening yourself up to other problems. The best way to maintain a healthy life style and feel good is to stop drinking pop all together. Don't replace one bad thing with another. I use Stevia (Truvia) which is a Natural sweetener because it is derived from the plant and doesn't involve chemicals to make it low calories. It has also been shown to help decrease hypertension and lowers blood sugar levels in diabetes patients. It was also been used by South American Natives to prevent pregnancy, apparently.  As with all sweeteners even Stevia should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, mainly because there hasn't been enough research involved. 

Health Tip #30: Morning Hydration

Be sure to drink at least 2 cups of water within a half hour of waking up to make up for the dehydration of sleep. This is very important for people like myself because of the amount of sweating I do when sleep I will become more dehydrated.

Health Tip #28: New Things

Don't be afraid to try new things. I've been try many new things, from Asparagus to green smoothies I've been expanding my tastes greatly.
I have been putting Spinach in my smoothies. I have never liked spinach. It is actually good. I also added wheat grass and it made my smoothie taste like grass...but I liked it. Don't hold yourself back you may actually enjoy these things that seem gross. Also by drinking green smoothies for breakfast I have lost 2% of my body fat.

Health Tip #27: Slow Down

No I don't mean stop exercising. Slow down while eating. It takes around 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain you are full. Don't eat it all really fast take small bites and savor it. You may find that after 10 to 20 minutes, you won't be as hungry as you thought.

Health Tip #22: Health Podcasts

One way that I am learning more about being healthy is by listening to health related podcasts. I have always listened to podcasts pretty heavily and when i started to work on being healthier I figured that will be the best way to get information. I started by subscribing to a lot and then weeding through those. Here are too that I find that I liked best.

The Jillian Michaels Show: Lots of rambling but filled with nuggets of goodness. What I like about her is she doesn't tip toe around she will tell you want you are doing wrong and tell you how to fix it.

The Nutrition Diva's Quick and Dirty Tips for Eating Well and Feeling Fabulous: Fast and under 10 minutes. Very useful information on eating healthy.

I also just found out that Diamod Dallas Page has DDPRadio. He has created the DDPYoga workout that I am really wanting to try. I haven listened to it but I will update if it is good or not.

This is one way I stay informed, it's not gonna be right for everyone but if you listen to the radio at all I suggest you look around. Go to iTunes and skim the Health podcast section and see whats there.

Health Tip #21: Anti-Fun

Piggy backing on yesterday, remember to space out your free days. Yes its OK to have a free day, where you have a little extra here and there, but it is not OK to have a free day 2 days in a row. That is how bad habits are formed. By doing that over and over you get set into patterns and next thing you know you are doing it 3 nights a week, then 4 nights a week. Remember to set boundaries with yourself and stick with it.

Health Tip #20: Fun

You don't always have to be uptight about health. Allow yourself to have some time to unwind. If that means having a little wine once a week or eating a bowl of ice cream. Its not the end of the world, enjoy it and don't beat yourself up over it. Because you know you will do fine tomorrow.

Health Tip #19: Vitamins

Vitamins are a controversial subject. Many people feel they aren't needed. I don't agree with this. I feel vitamins are important; especially when losing weight. I feel this way because I have seen a difference in my weight lose numbers when I regularly take them. Many vitamins act as metabolism boosters and it is a good idea to take vitamins that will maximize your metabolism. I don't like to drink energy drinks (that will be another tip later) so I instead I take Vitamin B Complex which contain more of the same vitamins that are in energy drinks. Not only do B vitamins provide energy but it will also increase your metabolism and boost red blood cell production, I also am sure to take a daily Multi-Vitamins (like One-A-Day) that will fill out all my other vitamins that I am not otherwise supplementing. I take a Vitamin C chew-able as well because it, not only helps your immune system, but it also pulls iron out of your body to increase oxygen levels. And there is more Vitamin C will boost you metabolic rate and burn fat. I also take St. Johns Wart to boost my mood it help a little and I have found that I am in a better mood when I take it. Not really a substitute but it is better than taking Zoloft. I am considering taking a Vitamin D and E but I am still studying up on those.

Here are a couple links about fat burning vitamins:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/109843-vitamins-burn-fat-fast-exercise/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/546334-the-top-10-herbs-vitamins-and-minerals-that-burn-fat/