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Detox Your Diet for a Healthier You

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(NewsUSA) - Americans consume too much saturated fat and sugar -; in one year, the average American can eat 64 pounds of sugar and 30 pounds of cheese. Indulging during special occasions isn't the problem. It's the small food choices we make every day that can add up to big health problems down the road.

Eliminating saturated fat means looking for low-fat foods that contain the good but not the bad. For example, while whole-milk dairy products contain calcium, they also can raise bad cholesterol. Whole, plant-based foods like soy beans, kale, bok choy, almonds and figs provide calcium without saturated fat.

"Foods high in saturated fat and simple sugars can be toxic to the body," says Alex Jamieson, a holistic health counselor and the author of The Great American Detox Diet. "These foods increase blood sugar and bad cholesterol levels, leading to inflammation in the body."

Chronic inflammation is linked to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Diet also plays a role with acne, eczema and digestive problems, like bloating.

"Your body doesn't need refined sugar or saturated fat," says Jamieson, "Limiting or, even better, eliminating these foods from your diet is one of the best things you can do for your waistline and total health."

Jamieson offers the following tips for detoxing your diet:

- Cheese is the number-one source of saturated fat in the American diet and, contrary to popular belief, dairy is not an essential food group. There are plenty of plant-based sources of calcium, like soy. Try replacing cheese with Galaxy Nutritional Foods' soy-based Veggie cheese alternatives for a healthy calcium and protein boost without the saturated fat and cholesterol. These tasty cheese alternatives can be found in the produce section of most major grocery stores.

- Start the day off right, and skip breakfast sandwiches and sugary pastries that are loaded with fat, sugar and salt. Try nutritious, high-fiber options like whole-grain cereals topped with soy or rice milk and fruit smoothies blended with flax seed so you'll feel full and have energy for the day.

- Become a "diet detective," and read labels to find hidden sources of sugar. Tomato sauce, salad dressings, canned soups and some yogurts contain surprisingly high amounts of sugar.

- Dehydration can zap energy, but don't reach for sugary sodas, coffee drinks or juices that cause a temporary boost followed by a crash. Drink plenty of pure, filtered water throughout the day to flush out the toxins and keep energy levels stable.