A couple of weeks ago, I shared some easy food tweaks that can help you get some dramatic results. The response and feedback was fantastic! It seems that our readers are super interested in small tweaks that make a big difference.

Let’s keep the good times rolling. Here are 5 more food tweaks that will greatly impact you – five simple things you can begin implementing TODAY that will  make a big difference with your body TOMORROW!

1 – Just say NO to granola.

Granola

The only time you should eat granola is . . . if you’re starving to death.

Kidding aside, granola was originally designed for outdoor enthusiasts to be a super compact source of calories (sounds perfect, huh?); something they could easily fit into their backpack and snack on during miles 9 and 10 of their all-day hike.

Fast forward to 2015 and the typical American is snacking on it during 9 and 10 o’clock during their workday . . . while sitting at their desk. Good Heavens…

For the sake of all that is healthy and holy, if you want to lose weight, do NOT purchase or consume granola. I don’t care how “healthy” it sounds or seems . . . don’t do it. Just say no!

2 – “Naturally Sweetened” sucks.

“Naturally Sweetened” is just another way of saying – We added a bunch of sugar, but please don’t pay attention to it.

I’ll abstain from my rant about use of the word “natural”, but bottom line is this – it doesn’t matter where the sugar comes from or how natural it is – it’s STILL SUGAR. Don’t fall for it. Opt for products that have No Added Sugar instead.

3 – Don’t talk yourself out of a really good thing.

Sadly…unbelievably…people will sometimes not get veggies because they think their version is “no good.” In other words, I encounter people who say they don’t get/eat vegetables because they know fresh is best and they prefer canned or frozen.

I don’t know whether to cry or smack them with an eggplant.

Please… please… PRETTY PLEASE… just eat your veggies regardless of where they come from! Fresh, frozen, or canned, all are great options. Heck, I’d rather eat vegetables out of a dumpster than some of the crap I see on grocery store shelves.

4 – Reach for spices instead of sauces.

Occasionally sauces are okay. Worcestershire, mustard, non-sweet vinaigrettes, and vinegar are all fine choices.

However, the majority of sauces are loaded with tons of sugar and/or oil. Your safest bet is to go for fresh herbs or dry spices. Ally (my wife) and I routinely use and love – curry, paprika, garlic, rosemary, and basil.

You’d be amazed how much flavor you can get even when no sauce is used!

BananaScreaming

5 – Don’t buy insecure foods.

We all know that person. It’s sad really.

Everybody’s encountered that guy or girl who is so insecure that they must constantly try to wow you and tell you how awesome they are.

Well foods are the exact same.

The more a food (manufacturer) has to tell you how good it is, the less you should listen.

The truly awesome foods, the confident ones are quietly sitting in the produce section, shining like rockstars with their beautiful colors and mind-blowing nutrient content.

Bottom line – don’t fall for fancy packaging and tons of lofty, empty claims.

Wrap Up
I hope you’ve not only enjoyed my 10 food tweaks, (Click here for the first five) but also found them practical and begin putting them into play.

Sadly, for many of us, life is just too busy. We’ve found that the “secret sauce” to lasting nutritional change and the ultimate realization of your fitness goals is coaching.

We’ve started a private Nutrition Coaching group and it’s been getting some fantastic results for our participants.  Here’s what one of our best members has to say about it…

This program has given me a much better way to think about food. Before this program I snacked too much, and thought it was only a small amount. (Mindless eating). Also I did not eat enough protein. I am not where I want to be in my weight and inches, but I will continue to use what I am learning. The Challenge guide is very helpful, encouraging, and informative. This is a program I can continue in my life. Clint and Corey made me feel that I can do this and use it every day. Thank you!  -Gail W.

Our group is a *CLOSED* group and is only available to our Rise Challenge graduates.  If you’re interested in learning more about the challenge, click here for more info.

If you want us to notify you when our next Challenge 2 Rise is beginning, fill out the info below!