Emma Olliff

Desserts in moderation is fine. Replace milk chocolate with dark chocolate. Cashew snacks, coconut water and cinnamon can satiate sugar cravings. Reduce onions in food, they leave a stronger after taste. Consume coconut shavings, full fat yogurt or hot drinks, they will boost digestion and reduce cravings. Most of all believe that you can change and give it time.

1. Healthy Weight: lower BMI, 2x weight loss. 2. Heart Health. 3. Cancer Prevention: 85% less risk of breast cancer. 4. Prevents Diabetes: 60% less risk. 5. Gut Health: improves gut flora. 6. Longevity. 7. Endurance: less fatigue, faster recovery. 8. Environment: Calorie for calorie, needs 10x less land, water and energy to produce. 9. Cost: More nutrition in less package.

For optimal digestion, chew your food well. Eating fast will leave out gut with large particles to digest, which requires a large amount of energy, leaving you groggy and sleepy. Pineapple and papaya contain natural digestive enzymes that boost the digestion process. But may cause bloating in some cases, check with your doctor if it is in excess.

Energy production, preventing injury/illness and muscle recovery are aspects your diet needs to cover for you when you exercise. For energy consume high fiber carbs like oats and barley. Eating vegetables of all colors and foods high in antioxidants can keep injury at bay and for muscle recovery consume healthy proteins like beans, pulses, tofu and nuts.

The good in fruitarian diet is that it is low in calories, no cooking is necessary and it is fiber-rich. The bad is they can be nutrient-restrictive and cause anemia. People who follow this diet can have calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B-12 and iron deficiency. Excessive fructose can lead to slow metabolism and cause insulin resistance, diabetes, and cancer.

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid produced in response to stress. It is made from cholesterol and its synthesis and release is controlled by ACTH. It helps us deal with stress by shutting down unnecessary functions, like reproduction and the immune system, in order to direct all energies toward dealing with the stress at hand. It also decreases calcium absorption in the intestine.

Nut milk, coconut milk, seed milk and milks made from grains can be substitutes for milk. Coconut butter, avocado and nut butter are healthier options for butter and spreads. Beans, tofu, orange juice, fortified plant-based milk contain just as much calcium. Combat lactose intolerance and go dairy-free with these alternatives to milk and milk products.

If consumed moderately, alcohol may increase your metabolism but excess consumption can damage the liver, create blood sugar imbalances and cause weight gain. It contains empty calories and has no nutritional value. Your body can’t store it, so it must metabolize it right away, which can have a detrimental effect on other metabolic processes.