So, I thought I’d dedicate this week’s blog to the theme of the month…JUNK FOOD FREE JUNE!! And as we are well into June now, I hope somewhere along the line you have heard of it, acknowledge it, and are on-board with it. It’s a brilliant reason to stop the junk intake, take note of what actually goes in your mouth, and make some healthy choices on those cold wet Friday nights, or those Sunday afternoons when junk food is screaming “EAT ME” at you!

What a fabulous idea. For 30 whole days……no junk food. Who’s keen to jump aboard the clean eating train for a month and really note the changes in your body when you take the junk food out…..you know, the sneaky items that slip into the day without you even noticing! Yeah, those ones… Let’s cut the crap, get lean and mean, and enjoy the first month of winter without all that comfort so called food.

‪#‎junkfreejune
‪#‎nomorecupcakes

I’ve listed a few issues that come with junk food, and the absence of “real” food.

Check them out below…

Look at the ingredients in the food you are inhaling! If there are a list as long as your arm of ingredients you can’t pronounce …. Warning Will Robinson.. Danger danger! It’s probably not real food! Quinoa is an excellent form of protein and great carbohydrate that is perfect for every meal. And its damn hard to pronounce right

To be honest there is nothing wrong with a little red wine and dark chocolate.. Especially together. But days on end consuming far too much red wine and chocolate can have a disastrous effect on the waistline, the muffin top and the overall distribution of stored body fat. So much so that your jeans are screaming … Stop eating that!
Salads don’t need need to be boring … Try throwing fruit like kiwi fruit in your salads or make warm salads through the winter, using broccoli cauliflower and roasted vegetables. Devine!

Lunchtime…Burger! Yum.. Burgers don’t always have to have a bun slapped around it and filled with empty nutritious calories . If you’re looking for a healthy alternative.. There are definitely places like Burger Wisconsin and Burger Fuel that have options such as a burger and filling wrapped in lettuce rather than bread.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weekend’s often spells bad food choices and lack of exercise.
My suggestion is, do some form of exercise in there, even if it’s a walk on the beach… And if you do resort to takeout…go for healthy options .. There are so many healthy options out there now without resorting to Macca’s or some sort of disgusting fried chicken . Try Zambreros or Mexacali Fresh…The Salad bowls are amazing !!OMG.. So good.
But I’ll leave you with this… If your diet isn’t great, it doesn’t matter how many sit-ups you attempt a day.. The 6 pack will remain in the cupboard! ..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chocolate ! I had someone ask whether chocolate was junk food…well ok. This is my opinion. Inhaling copious amounts of chocolate is indeed a problem ..? It’s not the chocolate that’s the issue, it’s the quality and quantity. The darker the chocolate , the better.. In fact chocolate that is 70-85% cocoa has antioxidants and can raise good cholesterol and help blood flow. So small amounts, not the whole block, can in fact beneficial… But it’s dark chocolate .. Not milky bar!!

 

 

Junk food is typically defined as foods with little nutritional value that are high in calories, fat, sugar, salt, or caffeine. Junk food can include breakfast cereals, candies, chips, cookies, French fries, gum, hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, sodas, and most sweet desserts.

The increase of junk food is directly associated with the increase in obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers, tooth decay, and other diseases.

Fats from junk food trigger the brain to want more food. This effect can last for several days.

You’ve probably heard again and again how a can of Coca-Cola has about eight or nine (or even ten, according to some) teaspoons of sugar but you’ve probably never heard that the can’s metal is by far the most expensive of all the “ingredients” since the famous soda is made mainly with water, additives, refined sugar, and caffeine.

In case you’ve always wondered, French fries (of course) are the most popular type of junk food globally. One portion of McDonald’s fries has about 600 calories and won’t help you stave off hunger but instead will make you even hungrier.

The vast majority of researchers and nutritionists agree that fats from junk food trigger the brain to want more food, which, of course, leads to obesity in the long term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A recent scientific study in China showed that breast cancer rates in the country are rising significantly because of an increase in the consumption of Western-style junk food.

 

A recent survey showed that young women who eat junk food consistently are at a higher risk for developing polycystic ovarian syndrome, a condition that usually causes type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

 

 

 Now, I have been known to inhale a few slices of pizza every now and then, and that’s ok….every now and then. But it’s pretty obvious than not only does the consumption of junk food make you fat……it can lead to a number of health issues that can become critical. Stop, think, and learn!

If you want more ideas on what you can replace instead of this junk food that not only tastes good, takes less time to put together than it takes to jump in the car and go through the drive through…AND is good for you, download my free E-book. Click on the link below to download the e-book. It has 20 of my favourite easy tasty recipes that anyone can make.

 

https://chrissiemcdonald.com/product/chrissies-clean-kitchen/

 

 

 

Ciao for now, enjoy the long weekend in New Zealand!

 

Chrissie

 

CM x