5 Pantry Swaps to Support a Wellness Routine
These are 5 food swaps to help increase nutrient uptake and to eliminate foods that won’t serve a healing journey.
1. Coffee
Swap with: Chicory tea or chaga mushroom tea
Contrary to popular belief, caffeine, especially coffee, has negative effects on health. It’s dehydrating, acidic and forces the adrenal glands to release adrenaline into the bloodstream putting a strain on vital organs like the brain and liver which can lead to health problems.
I know how difficult it can be to give up caffeine so here are two alternatives that can help with getting off coffee:
Chicory tea is a wonderful alternative. It actually smells and tastes like coffee but has many health benefits including antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and helps with digestion and digestive problems including constipation, heartburn and bloating.
Chaga mushroom is another great alternative. It’s a powerful immunity builder, has a high level of antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory. It also has antiviral and antibacterial properties helping to fight pathogens while also boosting the adrenal glands. My favorite chaga is from Vimergy and you can find it here.
2. Oils for Sauteing/Cooking
Swap with: Veggie broth or filtered water
There are healthier oils including olive oil and avocado oil, but oils can prevent full cleansing of the body. Because oils are processed, they saturate the blood more quickly versus eating a fat in its whole form like avocado or nuts. This lowers oxygen, thickens blood and slows down the body’s ability to release toxins which then slows down the healing process.
Work on lowering oils by sauteing with a little filtered water or veggie broth instead. Always look for a clean veggie broth with no harmful ingredients like yeast extract, natural flavors or citric acid. I recommend and use Bonafide’s No Salt Added Vegetable Broth.
3. Wheat or corn pasta
Swap with: Gluten-free & corn-free pasta
Gluten in wheat is a top troublemaker food because it feeds pathogens which leads to inflammation and symptoms throughout the body. When people say they are allergic to gluten, it’s actually because they have a pathogen in their body like strep that loves to eat gluten. Because most corn is GMO and harbors toxins, it can prevent the body from cleansing and also feeds pathogens leading to inflammation throughout the body.
Here are my recommended gluten free pasta brands: ZenB Yellow Pea Pasta, O’Food Organic Glass Sweet Potato Noodles, Lotus Foods Organic Millet and Brown Rice Ramen, Jovial Organic Brown Rice Pasta
4. Vinegar
Swap with: Lemon or lime juice
Vinegar is highly acidic and dehydrates the body on a deep organ level. It preserves toxins that we’re trying to get rid of by trapping them throughout the body, pulling water out of cells and driving the toxins deep into organs and tissues. And, the high acidity can be especially damaging to bones and teeth.
Instead of vinegar, try using lemon or lime juice in recipes like salad dressings and sauces. Lemons and limes are actually alkaline once in the body making them hydrating, immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory. They fight pathogens, are high in calcium making them great for bones and teeth and help cleanse and detoxify the entire body.
5. Processed sugars
Swap with: Raw honey or 100% maple syrup
Our body runs on and builds muscle from sugar (glucose) but in its clean and natural forms like fruit, potatoes and honey. Most processed sugar like table sugar or corn syrup is made from GMO beets or GMO corn which feeds pathogens in the body and has no nutrition left in it.
Unlike processed sugars, raw honey and maple syrup contain a plethora of vitamins, minerals, phytochemical compounds and other nutrients providing many healing benefits.
Instead of using processed sugars, try sweetening drinks, desserts, baked goods, sauces, dishes, salad dressings etc. with raw honey or 100% maple syrup. For a nutritious candy, try maple candy.
*You can find most of the products I mentioned above in my Amazon store which is linked on my Product Guide page.