The 5 things to Avoid

Hi, Julie. They are as follows:
1. Whole wheat products, because labeling laws allow companies to sneak in refined flours here. Be sure to look for “100% whole wheat (or grain)”.
2. Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame (Equal), sucralose (Splenda), saccharin (Sweet & Low), acesulfame K, cyclamate, etc., because they cause your body to work against your goals here. Try natural sweeteners such as monk fruit, inulin, xylitol, or Stevia.
3. Preserved fruit juice, because these tend to be mostly sugar with artificial preservatives, with the fiber and vitamins stripped out.
4. Regular margarine, which usually has trans-fats, even if labeled “0 trans-fats,” as these also can work against your efforts here. It is preferable to find a good quality (i.e., “pastured”) butter or “smart” margarine with omega-3, olive, and/or flaxseed oils, such as Earth Balance.
5. Processed and conventional soy, as these may manipulate hormones into working against you, and tend to be stripped or nutrients. Organic and minimally processed (tofu, milk) is better, and sprouted and/or fermented is best (Wildwood tofu, tempeh).

You can find “5 Foods to Never Eat” in Chapter 4 “Making Wise Food Choices–What to Eat and Which Foods to Avoid?” of the “Trim Down Club Main Program Guide.”