New High Protein Chickpea Pasta!

Banza-Chickpea-Pasta

I noticed a new high protein vegan-friendly pasta on the grocery store shelves the other day… Banza pasta made from chickpeas!Banza-Chickpea-Pasta-nutritional-label

I’m always excited to find new, healthy products to add my vegan diet plan (and share with all of you of course) so I was psyched to give this pasta a try. I checked the ingredients… approved! I cooked it up the same night. I was craving mac and cheese so I simply added a splash of Good Karma flax milk, some Daiya vegan cheese shreds, and sea salt and pepper, and wow, it was a hit! Compared to the mung bean pasta I usually eat, this pasta tastes more like traditional white pasta. It’s not as low in carbs, has less fiber, and is not organic, but it still has a great nutritional profile. Check it out…

In comparison to regular wheat pasta, Banza pasta has:

  • Double the protein (14 vs. 7 grams per serving).
  • Nearly half the net carbs (24 vs. 40 grams per serving).
  • Four times more fiber (8 vs. 2 grams per serving).

Besides being vegan, Banza pasta is also gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO, made in a nut-free facility and free from artificial ingredients. In fact it only has 4 ingredients! Chickpeas, tapioca, pea protein, and xanthan gum.

I checked out their website, and Banza offers a ton of recipes, few of which are vegan. I picked one that only had a couple ingredients substituted to share with you, but many of the other recipes can also be easily modified to make vegan.

Thai Peanut Pasta Salad

Ingredients

Serves 6-8 ~ Vegan ~ Gluten Free

  • 1 box Banza rotini pasta
  • 1/4 cup + 1/8 cup peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon agave or date paste
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 3 green onions, sliced thinly

Recipe

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until pasta is cool.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, agave or date paste, sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, water and sriracha.
  3. Toss noodles with sauce.
  4. Toss cabbage, carrots and green onions with pasta.
  5. Chill and serve cold.

Vegan-Thai-Peanut-Pasta-Salad

Hemp Seeds: Why and How to Eat More!

hemp seeds

They may be small, but hemp seeds pack a big, nutritious punch!

Nutrition

Hemp seeds can be considered a super food because of their dense nutritional profile…

  • High in digestible protein. Hemp seeds contain all 20 essential amino acids. They are low in the amino acid leucine however, so we need to get leucine from additional sources of protein such as soybeans and lentils.
  • Perfect balance of omega fatty acids. Hemp seeds have a 3:1 omega 6 to omega 3 ratio which is perfect for good health (learn more about essential fatty acids HERE).
  • Good source of soluble and insoluble fiber which help keep our digestive tract clean and functioning at the highest level.
  • High in phyto-nutrients, especially magnesium, calcium, and vitamin E.
  • Uniquely high in GLA (gamma linolenic acid), an anti-cancer compound.

smoothie with hemp seeds

Taste

Besides being so nutritious, hemp seeds also have a great, nutty flavor and crunch! I use them daily in different ways. Here are some simple suggestions:

  • Add to super food/protein shakes (to learn how to create your own super food shakes and smoothies, check out the ebook here).
  • Sprinkle on fruit (I love them on pineapple).
  • Sprinkle on vegan yogurt.
  • Add to hot or cold cereal.
  • Sprinkle on salad.
  • Sprinkle on vegan ice cream (yum!)

Accessibility TruVibe Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds are easy to find at your local health food store or order online from retailers such as Amazon. Here are some of the brands I’ve tried and liked (with links to order) but I’m sure there are tons of quality brands out there…

Try adding 2-3 heaping tablespoons of to your diet daily to experience all the short and long-term benefits hemp seeds have to offer!

Photo Credit: www.figgyandsprout.com

Vegan Dog Food Review – Pet Guard Vegetarian Feast

vegetarian-feast-vegan-dog-food

There are a growing number of choices for vegan dog food these days.

So far PetGuard’s Vegetarian Feast Dinner is my dog’s favorite.

We are fortunate to live in a day and age where we can feed our dogs organic, plant-based food that is fortified with every nutrient they need to live healthy happy lives. Ethically, I couldn’t rescue a dog from death and then feed her dead animals. Sure, it can be argued that a plant-based diet is not the “natural” way dogs eat. However, if my dog’s diet is nutritionally balanced to meet her needs, she loves it, is full of energy, and has a clean bill of health, I can argue, “What’s wrong with that?” The Vegetarian Feast Dinner is “formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles for maintenance.”

As with people, dogs can be picky about their food (some more than others) so it can take some experimentation to find the vegan dog food that pleases your pet. My dog Shye happens to love to eat in general, but before I get into more, let me quickly share Shye’s story.

Shye came from the Miami-Dade Animal Services pound, listed as a stray. I remember the moment I saw Shye for the first time like it was yesterday. I was walking by each cage slowly (this is SO hard and heart breaking), and when I got to Shye’s cage, she caught my eye because she was sitting at the very back, facing the back wall of the cage. She heard me and without moving her body, she did a 180 with her head and stared at me with her big brown eyes. We made a connection and I walked out of the facility with her in my arms that day.

From day one Shye has scarfed down food she enjoys so fast I sometimes think she forgets to chew! When she doesn’t like a food however, she will stay away from it like the plague. I tried several different brands of vegan dog food, dry and wet, before finding her favorite, and that is PetGuard’s Vegetarian Feast Dinner. I’ve found that Chewy.com has the best deal for ordering or you can pick it up at your local Whole Foods Market. 

I’m going to keep trying out new brands however, because I’d love to buy from a cruelty-free company (one that makes only vegan products). So if you have a brand of vegan dog food that your dog loves please share!

vegan-dog-Shye

Essential Fats for a Healthy Vegan Diet Plan

omega-fatty-acids

We hear conflicting information about “good fats,” “bad fats,” and the amount of fat we should consume as part of a healthy diet all the time… so what are the facts?

Believe it or not, our bodies can synthesize almost all of the fat it needs. Saturated, monounsaturated, and trans fat (including cholesterol) do not need to be consumed through the diet. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are the only two which the body cannot synthesize and therefore they are considered “essential fats”. This article will focus on the facts on essential fats so you can make food choices that will meet your body’s essential fat needs.

The Omega-6 that needs to be obtained from the diet is called Linoleic acid (LA). Technically, only one kind of omega-3 needs to be obtained through our diet: Alpha-lenolenic acid (ALA). ALA has the ability to produce other omega-3 fatty acids in the body such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, this conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA within our bodies is relatively limited, and it is therefore often recommended that EPA and DHA be consumed through the diet as well, either through food sources or supplements. For information on supplementation click HERE

Infographic-Omega-3

How much omega-3 and omega-6 do we need to consume in the diet?

ALA (omega-3) and LA (omega-6) compete for metabolism, which means too much of either one will reduce the metabolism of the other. This is one of the reasons a recommended ratio of 1 (or about 2:1) for omega-6 to omega-3 was developed (1). Unfortunately most Americans consume excessive amounts of omega-6 and are deficient in omega-3, with an average ratio of 16:1!

Both omega-3 and omega-6 play essential roles in brain function, normal growth and development. The high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, however, promotes the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (3). Omega-3 (a low omega-6/omega-3 ratio), on the other hand, has been shown to prevent against these major diseases and also help control lupus, eczema, and rheumatoid arthritis (2).

The high ratio of omega-6 can be attributed to grain fed animals (including the meat, dairy, and eggs that come from them), mayo-based foods, and the increased vegetable oil consumption: safflower, sunflower, corn, and soybean oils, coming from processed foods and cooking methods.

Remember, the idea is that both of these fatty acids are essential for proper health and play a  role in the prevention of many diseases. The key is balance between the two. It’s very easy to consume omega-6 in our diet, and a bit tricker to get those omega-3’s. Here are the top plant sources of omega-3 (which also have low ratio of omega6/3):

  • Flax seeds*
  • Hemp seeds*
  • Chia seeds
  • Algae/seaweed
  • Beans, leafy greens, squash-help meet the RDA (4)
  • Supplements for ALA, DHA, or EPA

*Including their oils.

And here is a chart showing the omega 6 and omega 3 content of common oils (5):

efacontentoils

  1. https://www.eufic.org/article/en/artid/The-importance-of-omega-3-and-omega-6-fatty-acids/
  2. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/omega-3-fats/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12442909
  4. https://plenteousveg.com/vegan-sources-omega-3/
  5. https://chriskresser.com/how-too-much-omega-6-and-not-enough-omega-3-is-making-us-sick/

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions!

Fine! I’ll tell you where I get my protein from!

Popeye-for-Protein

The “How do you get your protein?” question is easily the most frequently asked question I get asked when someone finds out I’m a vegan. Protein_Gorilla

We’ve all heard it. Immediately everyone becomes a protein expert. Sometimes I want to answer them the way Batman answers Robin…

batmanprotein

 

Protein is so overrated it’s not even funny. Research shows that a sedentary individual needs about 0.8 grams per kg of bodyweight per day. Research further shows that hard strength training athletes need around 1 – 1.5 grams per kg of bodyweight per day. For me, weighing around 185-190 lbs (84-86 kgs) this is 84 – 129 grams per day. This is very easy to get from a whole food, plant-based diet.

Just out of curiosity I tracked my nutrients for a period of about 4 days and found that on days I did not use any supplemental protein powder I was getting around 90-100 grams of protein, and on days I did use a protein drink (generally I have one a day after my strength training sessions) I was getting an extra 20-30 grams for a total of 110-130 grams of protein per day, right in-line with the recommended 1 – 1.5 grams per kg of bodyweight.

Personally I can’t stand tracking macros, and according to my friend Matt Ruscigno, a registered dietitian and ethical vegan, if you are eating a wide variety of whole foods and consuming enough calories to sustain your activity level you will get enough protein.

Now, consider the average American’s high protein, high fat, high processed carbohydrate diet – do you honestly think anyone is walking around in danger of a protein deficiency?

My Favorite Sources of Plant-Based Protein:

1. Beans and legumes – not only are they loaded with protein and other beneficial phytonutrients they are a great source of fiber.

2. Nuts and nut butters – I’m sorry, but if you don’t like a good ol’ fashioned PB & J sandwich you and I cannot be friends.

3. Tofu and tempeh – a perfect addition to stir-frys and soups, or you can be like my good friend, animal rights activist, and Team Plantbuilt powerlifter Mike Wolf and just eat a block of tofu on two slices of bread and call it a sandwich. The guy benches well over 300 lbs so I’m not going to argue with him.

4. Beast Burgers and other Beyond Meat products – I was fortunate enough to be asked to be a member of Beyond Meat’s Pro-Team so I’ve gotten my fair share of their stuff, and I honestly have to say that Beast Burgers are the BEST plant-based burger I’ve ever eaten. Try them for yourself and feed YOUR beast! All of their products are amazing!

5. Plant-based protein powders – don’t rely on powder as your main source of protein. Eat food first and foremost. However a good plant-based protein powder can make it easier to ensure you are getting all of your essential amino acids and hitting your daily protein requirements. Again, if you are eating enough calories from whole foods to sustain your activity you don’t need to supplement. I do believe that a protein drink taken post training is a great idea though, since liquid digest more quickly than solid food. I do think it is a good idea to combine your protein powder with a good carbohydrate source, some studies have shown that 1g of protein to 2-4g of carbohydrates is optimal for muscle recovery and glycogen replenishment post-training. Some of my favorite protein powders are Plantfusion, Vega, Health Force / Warrior Force, Garden of Life Raw, and I recently tried Sprouts Farmers Market brand vegan protein blend.

Hopefully this gives you some good ideas of plant-based protein sources the next time your favorite omnivore is assaulting you with the protein questions and comments, or you can just do what Batman did to Robin and bitch-slap them.
Stay Strong AND Healthy!

-Scott

Top 5 Simple Vegan Breakfast Ideas

vegan-breakfast ideas

For most of us, getting going in the morning is a challenge, so getting your day started off right with a simple vegan breakfast is important to include in your vegan diet plan.

I’ve come up with the top 5 easy and quick ideas to help fuel your body and kick start your metabolism in the morning:

  1. Easy Vegan Breakfast IdeasCantaloupe: Yes, simple as that! Cut the melon in half, scoop our the seeds, and using a spoon, dig in! Cantaloupe is packed with vitamins A and C (100% of the requirement for the day) among other nutrients. It’s also refreshing, hydrating, low in calories, and will give you energy immediately! 
  2. Qunioa: Quinoa is packed with complete protein and slow-release carbs to fill your belly and fuel you for hours. It’s a great food to cook a bunch of at the start of the week and reheat to make all sorts of delicious dishes throughout the week. As a breakfast cereal, you can add nut milk, cinnamon, stevia, maple syrup, cinnamon, berries, nuts and/or seeds to make a variety of different flavored breakfast bowls. Yum!
  3. Apple and Nut Butter: Slice an apple and spread almond butter, peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, or any nut/seed butter of your choice and you have a powerhouse of a breakfast on your plate. The phytonutrients in apples help regulate blood sugar and the nut/seed butter contains protein and heart-healthy fats and omega fatty acids. The combination is delicious and satisfying!
  4. Fruit Smoothie: Blend up fresh or frozen fruit with a base liquid of your choice such as coconut water or nut milk for an easy, nutrient-filled breakfast. It takes just a couple minutes to make and you can easily pour it in a to-go cup and take it with you out the door. Adding spinach is a great way to get in valuable leafy greens and the cool part is you won’t even notice a taste difference (just a change in the color of your smoothie). You can also add hemp and/or flax seeds to give it some protein and omega 3 fatty acids.
  5. Protein Shake: Looking to gain lean muscle? How about a vegan protein shake for breakfast?! Use a quality, clean, vegan protein powder such as BalanceDiet 07 Lean Protein, nut milk of choice, and optionally add banana or other fruit, dates, seeds, maca powder, cinnamon, etc. to flavor it to your liking. Drink it at home or take it with you. A perfect muscle-building vegan power breakfast!

For more vegan breakfast ideas and recipes, check out the “How To Go Vegan: A Beginner’s Guide” and to learn more about making your own smoothies check out the ” How To Make Your Own Superfood Shakes.”

Experiment. Have fun with it. Enjoy!

Should we take probiotics?

Probiotics

Probiotics always seem to be a topic of interest among health-conscious individuals.

Most of us have at least heard of probiotics, and maybe we have even tried a few products containing them when we have gotten some type of cold or other sickness (because that’s what your neighbor told you to do, or your friend’s friend has suggested it, or because you googled probiotic and the first website you read claimed probiotics are the ‘real-deal’). But I often wonder if we really understand what a probiotic is. What’s the difference between prebiotics and probiotics? And should we really trust either one? I’ve learned about these two forms of bacteria in some of my classes, I’ve done some information gathering, and I hope to clear some things up.

First things first. Let’s talk bacteria. Our gastrointestinal tract is made up of hundreds of different species of “good” bacteria, also known as our body’s microflora. This bacteria helps our body metabolize nutrients, vitamins, drugs, hormones, and carcinogens; fight against intruders; prevents pathogens from colonizing; protects us against allergies and immune disorders; and regulates our immune system (1,2). These functions of the gut flora help our body’s to function properly and prevent disease-causing bacteria (AKA the “bad” bacteria) from taking hold. Our diet and lifestyle affects the types of bacteria that live in our gut. A healthy, nutrient-dense diet helps promote the growth of the good bacteria; an unhealthy diet consisting of refined sugar and animal fat, low fiber, and antibiotic use promotes the bad bacteria. This is where probiotics and prebiotics come into play. People frequently believe their diet can be “fixed” with supplementation, including probiotics.

I find that the definition of probiotics is often confusing, but Dr. Joel Fuhrman explains it best:

“The term probiotics is used both for the beneficial bacteria that are native to our intestinal tract and for supplemental live bacterial organisms that are thought to be beneficial when ingested. However, the (limited) bacteria in supplemental probiotics and fermented foods are not the same as the indigenous bacterial flora that live in the gut. Supplemental probiotics serve a beneficial role–but mostly when the normal native bacteria have been harmed or removed with antibiotic use or perverted with a diet of sweets and processed foods (1).”

He goes on to explain that it can take months to reestablish the good microflora and that a healthy diet needs to be maintained in order to do so. Probiotic bacteria that come from supplements drop within days when supplementation stops. This begins to explain why a healthy diet is the most important factor in promoting the right type of bacteria in our gut–not occasional probiotic supplementation.

There are many studies that have been done regarding probiotics, but the evidence is mixed when it comes to its effectiveness (1). For this reason more research needs to be done before we can proclaim that probiotics are the real deal. That being said, there are a few conditions that have been shown to benefit most from probiotics, including antibiotic associated diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (2). For more information regarding probiotics, check out Dr. Fuhrman’s article: What are probiotics?).

So, why is a healthy diet the most important factor in promoting the good bacteria? The good bacteria (and even probiotics themselves), feed off of non-digestible carbohydrate sources, resistant starch and fibers coming from vegetables, fruit, and legumes. These types of food act as prebiotics, which support the growth and activity of the good bacteria. They are found in foods like onions, garlic, asparagus, leeks, artichokes, oats, and bananas (2,3). It is not necessary to eat fermented foods such as yogurt and kefir to have beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract (1). A whole-food diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and legumes (AKA a high fiber, resistant starch and carbohydrate diet consisting of natural prebiotics) will provide enough of the favorable bacteria in our gut to keep us healthy and functioning at our best.

Probiotics may be helpful for some people under certain conditions, but I hope more research is completed in the future so we can determine their safety and effectiveness. As of right now, the evidence regarding the benefits of prebiotics from whole, plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables is our best bet when we want to keep our good bacteria in check. When you’re feeling sick, think about how your diet has been over the last few months or even the last few weeks. Are you fueling your microflora with healthy foods (prebiotics), or are you encouraging the growth of the “bad” bacteria?

This photo comes from PCRM.org:

healthy-gut-bacteria

This is a really good video video from nutritionfacts.org regarding probiotics and prebiotics.

  1. Furhman, Joel. Super Immunity: The Essential Nutrition Guide for Boosting Your Body’s Defenses to Live Longer, Stronger, and Disease Free. Harper One. 2012. pp. 89; 151-153. Print.
  2. “Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits.” MDPI. Web.: https://www.pcrm.org/media/online/sept2014/seven-foods-to-supercharge-your-gut-bacteria
  3. “Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits.” MDPI. Web.: https://www.drfuhrman.com/library/probiotics.aspx#_ENREF_1
  4. “Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits.” MDPI. Web.

A Vegan Protein Powder That Has It All!

Ella Magers recommends BalanceDiet Lean Vegan Protein

I’m excited to share with you one of the newest and best vegan protein powders on the market today, Lean Protein 07 from BalanceDiet.

I recommend adding this product to your vegan diet plan, especially for your post-workout snack. Let me tell you why:

  • It blends well. One of the most challenging obstacles I run into when finding a protein powder I like is the texture. Many are either gritty or chalky, even when I blend them using my Vitamix, much less trying to use a shaker bottle. This is not with case with Lean Protein 07. In fact, it blends better than any other I’ve tried.
  • It had a great, natural flavor. I’m super picky when it comes to flavor. Most protein powders don’t “do it for me.” They often leave an unpleasant taste in my mouth. Lean Protein 07 on the other hand, tastes light & pleasant. 
  • It has added nutrients such as vitamins B, A, and C, folic acid, calcium,and manganese.
  • It has added fiber that make it easily digestible (no bloating here).
  • It is 100% organic and is made with high quality ingredients. In fact, it’s manufactured in a NSA Certified (pharmaceutical grade) facility.

I like this protein powder so much I now have an affiliation that allows my readers to get 10% off using the code “SexyFitVegan”. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Ellas-Favorite-Protein-Powder-BalanceDiet 07

 

March Against Monsanto – My First Protest

March Against Montsanto May 23, 2015

“We have been robbed of our own food and the simplicity, nutrition, flavor and enjoyment it is meant to bring us which is why I felt inspired to be a part of the March Against Monsanto yesterday here in Miami.”

Earlier today I was eating an apple…an organic apple of course. An organic apple that I had to pay twice as much for. My heart was heavy as I was trying to enjoy this apple. Something so simple. Something that should be part of the human existence on a daily basis, meant to be enjoyed and a reminder of our amazing planet and how it takes care of us with a wonderful little fruit such as an apple. An apple a day….. Then I thought of a story that I heard growing up about Adam and Eve. As you probably know, Eve took a bite out of an apple in that story and it made me think of what Eve thought of as she took a bite of that apple way back then versus what I was thinking about as I was taking a bite of my apple today.

There would be no similarities in our thoughts  because as I was taking a bite of my apple, I was thinking about the poverty and abuse endured by the farm worker that picked my apple. I thought about how I had to pay double so I could have an apple that didn’t come from a seed that was genetically modified and might give me cancer. I thought about all the farmers who are losing their farms because they can’t keep up with the demands of the corporate giants that are controlling them. I thought about all the bees that are being killed by these genetically modified seeds that are planted with pesticides already in them. I thought about the bugs and weeds that these pesticides are supposed to be killing that are becoming immune and are becoming more aggressive than they even were to begin with. I thought about how Monsanto is dominating the industry so strongly that farmers don’t have the option to get their seeds from anywhere else so therefore the varieties of seeds are shrinking and how many we’ve lost already..in fact we’ve lost at least 92 varieties  that we can never get back! I thought about how our vegetables are being manufactured just like a McDonald’s hamburger, meaning that no matter what grocery store you go to in the entire country, what is sold, how it looks and what it tastes like will be exactly the same because it’s made in a lab for mass production and mass distribution. I thought about how much work my little sister has to put in just to be able to cook her three kids a healthy meal that isn’t full of poison. I thought about how much is sucks that we are trying to educate people to not eat out and cook at home more but that’s not even good enough because of the contamination in our grocery stores.  I thought about how twisted and wrong it is that the companies responsible for all this AND our government are using the one thing we NEED in order to survive for profit.  I thought about how awful all of this is and how they are making it impossible to simply enjoy a meal. I thought how thankful I am to have discovered all of this so that I am no longer living in the dark and can make healthy choices for myself. I thought how many other people out there are just like me and will make the same changes I have. I thought how we have to otherwise the next generations will not even know what an organic apple tastes like.

This is a LOT to think about when simply enjoying an afternoon snack. We have been robbed of our own food and the simplicity, nutrition, flavor and enjoyment it is meant to bring us which is why I felt inspired to be a part of the March Against Monsanto yesterday here in Miami. Since all of this is new to me, I wanted to go because I wanted to see other faces whose eyes were opened like mine and I wanted it become real to me. Watching documentaries has been great but it still can seem like a movie. Yesterday was about bringing everything I’ve been learning into my reality and it was about taking a step to do something about it.

There were about 500 people in attendance which was more than I expected so that made me happy. The energy was great and  it was so nice to see so many others passionate about making positive changes in our world…especially the children. Changes are only going to happen if the demand for healthy food significantly increases and demand for fake food significantly decreases. We have to give these companies no choice which is why it is so important for those of us who are aware to share what we know. We need to tell everyone we encounter because no one wants to be poisoned and destroy our eco-system just to eat an apple. Not anyone I know! A big thank you to the organizers of the march…they did a great job! Let’s keep the momentum going and save our food! Check out the documentary GMO OMG to learn in depth about GMOs and Monsanto.

A big thank you for Ella and her lovely father, Steve for joining me and being a part of my first protest….love you guys!

march

 

Fed Up Documentary Review

Fed Up Documentary

I just watched the documentary “Fed Up” and it PISSED ME OFF, which is exactly why I think it is so great!

The documentary is about why America and other modernized parts of the world are so fat! Way too fat! The statistics are unreal. 2/3’s of Americans are overweight. In 20 years if things don’t change 90-95% of Americans will be overweight. 90-95%!!! Do you know why?? One word…..SUGAR, and the food industry is solely responsible! They have been manipulating and lying just so they can make more money and they are killing people and ruining lives without any concern whatsoever.

The film shows the lives of a few different overweight children and how they are trying to lose weight, which they are unsuccessful with until they finally understand HOW TO EAT. It’s not about a diet. It’s not about exercise. It’s a way of life and a majority of people have NO IDEA how amazing it feels to live it because people are so addicted to sugar and it’s done on purpose. Why? Because the food industry execs want to keep the dollars rolling in, so they hide sugar in everything and anything just to make it more appealing, to make it taste better, to make you want more of it. I was aware that processed foods are terrible but I had no idea how much sugar they are putting in everything, including “health food”. It’s disgusting!

Basically anything that comes in a package is going to make you fat if you are not careful, but why on earth would anyone knowingly put poison into their bodies??? THEY WOULDN’T! That’s why when you look at the nutrition labels on your food, you will notice that they don’t include the daily percentage of sugar per serving. Why?? Well because if you are on a diet and you read the label on a “healthy” item and you see that the daily percentage of sugar for one serving is upwards of 200% then you probably wouldn’t buy it. FOR ONE SERVING. Think about a whole day….this is why people are fat and don’t have any clue how to fix it. They are being poisoned. It’s unfair and I’m pissed about it and I can’t understand how it’s legal!

This film is great and I highly encourage you to watch it! You will probably get pissed too, you definitely will learn something and hopefully you will share what you learn and encourage the people around you to start  educating themselves….especially those of you with children. High five to Katie Couric who is an executive producer and narrator of the film, for a job well done! 

I took this photo yesterday of the nutrition label on my kale… where is the daily percentage of sugar? 

photo