7. Margarine < Butter or Ghee
Margarine is nothing more than chemicals, sugar and dairy and is created in a lab. There is nothing natural about margarine. It’s made from trans fat, which is known as the artery clogging fat. It also increase LDL levels (the bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL (the good cholesterol).
Butter or ghee (which is clarified butter), on the other hand, packs some great nutritional value!
Butter is a great source of vitamins A, D, E and K.
Trace minerals are found in butter such as manganese, chromium, zinc, copper and selenium, which is a powerful antioxidant. Butter contains more selenium per gram compared to herring or wheat germ. What’s more, butter is also a great source of iodine.
The fat in butter is great for your immune system and boosting
metabolism. (Fat doesn’t make you fat, sugar makes you fat!) It’s also great for skin health and cognition.
Butter contains Wulzen Factor – This is a hormone like substance with many functions. It can prevent stiffness in the joints, as well as arthritis. It is also responsible for ensuring that calcium is deposited in the bones rather than in the joints. Note that the Wulzen factor can only be found in raw butter and cream.
Ghee is just butter with the milk solids removed, making a it a great option for those unable to handle standard dairy.
Always opt for organic to avoid hormones!
8. Sugar < Cinnamon
Sugar cause inflammation and inflammation causes disease. It’s really that simple.
Cinnamon, however, is full of amazing benefits, plus it’s so good! Ceylon cinnamon is the “true” cinnamon and the one you want to look for when shopping at the market.
It is high in a substance called cinnamaldehyde, which is responsible for it’s positive effects on health and metabolism. Cinnamon contains large amounts of highly potent polyphenol antioxidants. In a study that compared the antioxidant activity of 26 spices, cinnamon wound up as the clear winner, even outranking “superfoods” like
garlic and
oregano. It contains anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to lower the risk of illness and disease. Cinnamon has been shown to significantly increase sensitivity to the hormone
insulin. Cinnamon has been shown to both reduce fasting blood sugar levels, having a potent anti-diabetic effect at 1 to 6 grams per day.
The smell of cinnamon increases cognitive function by 15%!
9. Bread < Collard Wrap
Bread is full of sugar and carbs, which don’t help if you’re trying to lose weight. Aside from that, it’s often cut with a ton of unnecessary ingredients for shelf life and things like
gluten to keep it chewy. The majority of the population has some sort of intolerance to wheat/gluten simply because of the way it’s been over-processed. These factors often lead to digestive and skin issues, not to mention brain fog and potentially chronic illness and disease.
Collards are a great upgrade and are not only really tasty, but they’re loaded with nutrients. They are part of the cruciferous family and are said to have cholesterol lowering ability. They are chock-full of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, K, C, manganese, fiber, calcium and B vitamins.
12. Iceberg Lettuce < Spinach, Chard, Kale, Romaine
The best thing about iceberg lettuce is it’s water content. Aside from that, there is not a whole lot of value to this barely green veggie (sorry, Iceberg). Choosing greens that are dark and vibrant pack a much more nutrient-dense punch, providing your body with tons of vitamins and minerals to fuel you towards optimal health.
13. Cheese < Nutritional Yeast
Again, cheese is dairy and dairy creates inflammation in the body and is also mucus-forming. Try sprinkling
nutritional yeast on items you’d typically sprinkle cheese on. Sure, it won’t give you the ooey-gooey texture of cheese, but it provides a very similar flavor with the added benefits of
Nutritional yeast contains B12, in addition to it being a “complete protein” – that just means it contains all the amino acids we must get from our food. It’s low in fat and sodium, is free of sugar and gluten and contains iron.
14. Soda < Anti-Anxiety Drink
This soda – or “pop” – alternative is not only REALLY good, but it helps reduce anxiety, relaxes the body, aids in regular digestion and provides mineral support that your body craves.
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
15. Banana < Avocado
Bananas are great and provide a creamy texture in smoothies. But for those looking for a lower glycemic option, avocado provides the same creaminess and are a great source of vitamins K, C, B, E, folate, potassium (more than bananas!) and healthy fats, so great for metabolism, brain, heart and skin health as well as immunity.
1 avocado = 3 bowls oatmeal, fiber-wise!
16. Granola < Steel Cut Oatmeal
Granola is often full of added sugars, which increase inflammation and cause a slew of other health issues. Steel cut oats are rich in dietary fiber and are low glycemic, making them a great choice for diabetics as they help keep blood glucose levels stable. The soluble fiber in oats may also affect blood pressure levels. They also keep you full longer, decreasing the chance of overeating.