Health Wise - Michele Sevier

Surefire Methods for an UNHEALTHY New Year

With tongue in cheek, check out these surefire methods for an UNHEALTHY New Year

1. Consume large amounts of sugar-laden, pre-packaged refined foods, white bread, white rice and pasta. Science has discovered a myriad of ways to preserve these foods for an extended shelf life, reduce their nutrient content to almost nil while including tasty artificial flavours.

2. Forget the 8 glasses of water each day. Drink soda pop in large quantities. It packs a stack of calories along with the added taste of sugar. Sugar can help aggravate blood sugar regulation, resulting in additional food cravings and more fat storage and weight gain!

3. Stay away from vegetables and fruit. The various plant nutrients they contain would help support overall health and help prevent illness and chronic disease and disorder.

4. Avoid whole grains and legumes as well. No one wants to be bothered with regular bowel function. It’s so much easier to use the washroom less and deal with constipation. It frees up more time to hit the corner store to buy those daily treats.

5. Exercise is not an option for the professional couch surfer. Technically speaking a couch surfer does exercise as you must still use the remote to change the channels at regular intervals. Don’t forget the additional movement to obtain the snacks and food.

6. Ignorance is bliss. Why would you want to read any food labels? Most of the names are hard to pronounce and hydrogenated and trans fat give such a great texture to the food. Who cares if they are considered a silent killer, clogging arteries? At least it is silent and you can ignore the ramifications of using these foods on a regular basis. 

7. De-stress? Are you serious? It feels so good to rant at the people in customer service. Besides, most people love to be around cranky people because it makes them feel part of      the crowd.

8. Avoid lean quality protein including fish and fish oil supplements. There is far too much research out there that supports their health benefits. They could improve your  mood, reduce stress and inflammation. What would you possibly have to complain about when these products (rich in EPA/DHA) worked?

9.Skip meals, especially breakfast. This way you have a  great excuse to overeat at dinner because you are so ravenous and lightheaded.

10. Increase the use of caffeine and sugar. These stimulants can give short bursts of energy. Who cares that in the long term they can create mood swings, fatigue and adrenal  stress. You can just keep taking more and more for their short term effects.

An Ounce of Prevention or a $10 Off Coupon?

Many people are aware of the existing controversy surrounding the potential creation of a private health care system within our current Canadian public health care. The debate continues with pros and cons on each side of the argument. 

I do not know the answer, but what I cannot understand is the millions of people that do not realize the fundamental need of health prevention and becoming proactive when it comes to their health.

Our current health care crisis stems from many issues, including obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular issues and so much more.

Basic education and access to knowledge creates an empowered individual. And perhaps rather than focusing our lives on attaining those “quick fix” solutions (albeit the magic pill or surgical intervention) we should take the time and determine the appropriate action to implement to foster better health BEFORE any crisis.

North America is a fast food nation filled with convenience foods, loaded with sugar, high in saturated fats and calorie content that not only lacks any real nutritional benefits but when consumed on a regular basis increases the risk of chronic health conditions that are placing an undue burden on our existing health care system.

We are a society of indulgence basing many of our food choice on pleasure without considering the long term pain associated with excess consumption.

Let’s start thinking about our long term health and that of our children by making wise nutritional choices that include ample servings of fresh vegetables, fruit, healthy fats and lean protein.

If that doesn’t work, perhaps a $10 off coupon towards your next by-pass surgery is included with any “supersized” meal at any fast food outlet. Surely this would positively impact our current health care crisis and reduce the financial strains on the system.