What are empty calories? See the photo? I think you probably have a good idea. But, it isn’t plant-based whole food like fruits and vegetables. Empty calorie foods are highly processed usually containing lots of fat and sugar. Did you know low-fat snacks have added sugar because when the fat is taken out, it doesn’t taste as good?
Empty calorie food examples bad for us that we all love…
- Pizza
- Hamburgers
- Fries
- Cake
- Pies
- Candy
- Jam
- Syrups
- Doughnuts
- Ice cream
- Pudding
- Sweetened fruit drinks
- Sports drinks
- Soda pop
- Snacks like salted crackers
- Junk foods like cheese puffs
- You get the idea…
Eating enough of the above will likely kill you eventually due to some disease, condition or ailment they create. If you don’t use the high calories produced from eating empty calorie junk foods, it turns into fat you will proudly wear on your body!
Eating foods like these may help you become a type 2 diabetic. Ever wonder why you are never satisfied eating snack foods? The more you eat of them the less satisfied you become.
Alternatively, high fiber plant-based whole food provides nutrients you need, also satiety. You feel full and satisfied. You crave junk food because you are actually starving for nutrients.
Real food will reduce bad cholesterol stabilizing blood sugar levels. This is what we want for weight loss, better health and longer life. We don’t want to retire into a wheelchair because we are in poor health.
You know, it’s no easy feat to stop eating junk food. You will probably always get the cravings because it’s all around you. If you live with people who stock a lot of junk and snack foods, you could be doomed.
It’s hard to set a good example, when that candy bar you used to love and that big salty bag of chips is staring you right in the face when you open the cupboard late at night when hunger pangs nag you.
Best practice: to not have any of that stuff around the house. Don’t shop at the grocery store hungry! When you get carb cravings, why not try my baked potato recipe! You just need to hold the sour cream and butter.
Note- consult your doctor before you change your diet.
