Spring is officially here! Springtime makes us think about spring-cleaning and with that includes cleaning up our diets.

Did you set good intentions for better health at the start of the New Year? Have you now discovered you’ve fallen off track? Is it time to recommit to healthy eating and exercise?

We believe less is more and that taking small steps toward your goals are important. Start with a few items we can all focus on to cleanup our diets. Some of the top items we should reduce in our diets are:

1. SUGAR comes in so many forms. Some we aren’t even aware of such as bread, flour, condiments, fruit juices, alcohol and so many other foods that include added sugar. Did you know sugar or anything that turns to sugar is what drives your cravings. Addictive foods that contain heroine-like molecules from sugar and flour and chemicals (like chips, cookies, candy, fast food, soda and diet soda) drive your cravings. Don’t forget to read nutrition labels and make a conscious effort to limit sugar intake.

2. CAFFEINE––is it good or bad for you? This question can be really confusing, especially with all of the marketing and media in our face every day. Here are a few facts: caffeine in coffee increases your stress hormones. Stress increases cortisol and insulin. Insulin increases inflammation, which is NOT GOOD! Caffeine decreases insulin sensitivity, making it difficult for your cells to respond appropriately to blood sugar. High blood sugar levels lead to arterial deterioration and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The acidity of coffee is associated with digestive discomfort, indigestion, heart burn, GERD and imbalances in your gut flora. Addiction to caffeine/coffee makes it difficult to rely on the body’s natural source of energy. So, it’s important to drink coffee in moderation on occasion and make sure that your body doesn’t rely on it for energy for your day.

3. ALCOHOL converts to sugar and dumps itself into your bloodstream so fast that your body desperately races to stash it somewhere so it can’t do any harm. That somewhere is in your fat cells. Alcohol is also hard on your liver, the organ that’s supposed to be burning fat for you. Your liver also works at ridding your body of chemicals (like alcohol). Every time you swallow a drink your liver has to take time off from its fat-burning job while it processes the chemical intruder. If you’re trying to boost your metabolism then shed toxins, lose weight and give alcohol a break.

Remember: It’s all about moderation. Enjoy life and have a happy spring!

–BEYOND