Does coffee, tea and soda contribute to my daily water intake?
No. In fact they count negatively toward your daily water intake. Why? These liquids are all dehydrators. The exceptions are decaffeinated coffee and decaffeinated tea, particularly herbal tea – these do count towards your daily intake of water.
Are artificial sweeteners of any kind acceptable to use in place of sugar?
No. Artificial sweeteners, particularly aspartame, are believed to be neurotoxins, meaning they accelerate brain aging. All sweeteners, including artificial sweeteners, promote the release of insulin from the pancreas, encouraging fat storage.
What foods do I need to eat to get enough fibre each day?
Most adult women should shoot for over 20 grams of fibre a day; men should shoot for over 30 grams. You can easily achieve 30 grams of fibre each day by eating three servings of vegetables, three servings of fruit, two servings of whole grain foods, and one serving of legumes, such as lentils, kidney, black, and lima beans. To achieve 35 grams of fibre, eat four servings of vegetables, four servings of fruit, four servings of whole grain foods, and one serving of legumes.
My triglyceride level is high. How can I lower my triglycerides with diet?
High triglycerides can be of concern to your health. Interestingly, a lower fat diet will not likely lower your triglyceride levels. However, a diet lower in carbohydrates, in particular, high-glycemic-index carbohydrates such as sugar, white potato, white breads, and white pasta should help. In addition, an increase in monounsaturated fats such as olive oil may be beneficial.
What can I do to lower my total cholesterol and LDL?
Several strategies can help you lower the amounts of total and harmful LDL cholesterol in your bloodstream, and thus your risk of heart disease:
- Exercise regularly.
- Aim for a healthy body weight.
- Avoid trans fats.
- Limit foods rich in saturated fat, like red meat and whole milk, ice cream, and other full-fat dairy foods.
- Focus on foods rich in unsaturated fats, dietary fibre, and healthful protein. Fruits, vegetables, fish, beans, nuts, and seeds are all excellent choices.
