Avoid the following toxic ingredients, often found in ultra-processed foods. (Dr. Eric Berg)

1. Trans fats Some foods still contain trans fats. This ingredient is even worse when combined with refined carbohydrates.

2. High fructose corn syrup This synthetic sugar goes straight to the liver, contributing to a fatty liver and insulin resistance. Sweet drinks made with alcohol cause significant liver damage and affect the brain, nervous system, and heart. Seed oils exacerbate this problem.

3. Sodium nitrate This is a preservative found in bacon and hot dogs, and it becomes increasingly toxic when heated.

4. Fried potatoes/burnt toast Adding heat to a starch creates toxic byproducts such as aldehydes and acrylamide. These toxic ingredients cause inflammation in the body. Starch or sugar combined with protein creates AGEs, harmful byproducts that damage your arteries, eyes, kidneys, and brain.

5. Artificial sweeteners Artificial sweeteners have a toxic effect on the body, especially the microbiome.

6. Glyphosate Glyphosate is patented as an antibiotic and classified by the WHO as a probable carcinogen.

7. MSG Monosodium glutamate affects the hypothalamus in rats, causing them to overeat and become obese. This ingredient can make low-quality food taste better than it really is.

8. Phosphate This stimulant can contribute to arterial calcification, especially if you don’t have enough vitamin K2.

9. Potassium bromate This ingredient is a bread conditioner and is classified as a probable carcinogen.

10. Synthetic flavoring The ingredient “flavoring” consists of hundreds of chemicals used to manipulate your sense of taste. Chronic consumption of artificial flavors can dull your appetite for real food.

Dr. Eric Berg Podcast - 10 Most Toxic Food Ingredients

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Remember the (5) S’s for Weighing:

♦ Same TIME of day
♦ Same DAY each week
♦ Same CLOTHING
♦ Same SCALE  — and remember, sometimes the scale doesn’t budge, but the waistline does
♦ Same SELF-COMPASSION  
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It can be upsetting to continue efforts toward healthy eating when it seems a never ending battle. Do you feel exhausted over trying to do your best and helping those you are about do the same?  The topic for me as of late was trying to explain why beverages with "zero" in them are usually just another way of selling more artificial sweeteners. It's infuriating. I try to look at this "continued education" as an investment in my health.