Benefits of Giving Up These Foods & Beverages for One Month

While many foods and beverages are delicious, unfortunately, some of them may not be doing any favors for your health. When it comes to dieting or having an all-out cleanse, the idea of limiting your food intake can be overwhelming. However, giving up certain foods and beverages for just one month could actually have a huge impact on your energy level, the start of a promising weight loss journey, and most importantly, your overall health.

If you are ready to make healthy eating a daily habit, you are in the right place. Read on to explore what some of the top business leaders have to say about the benefits of giving up these foods and beverages for one month.

Swap Your Bag of Chips for a Healthier Snack

Dr. Payel Gupta, CMO & Co-Founder Cleared

Sometimes at work when you need a midday snack, a bag of potato chips can hit just the right spot. However, this habit can actually wreak havoc on your daily health. Most potato chips contain high amounts of salt, sodium, fat, and easily digested carbs, which can lead to various health problems later down the road, including high blood pressure and even heart disease. So instead of opening a bag of potato chips during your next meal break, opt for a healthier alternative that will still satisfy your cravings. You can swap out your salty chips with some veggies crisps, rice chips, or even a light serving of popcorn. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even try to make your own homemade healthy chips at home by baking your favorite veggies chips in the oven. For example, kale chips are very simple to make, and they will also fill your body with a hearty dose of Vitamins A and K, along with fiber and protein. Try giving up chips for one month, and explore some healthier alternatives in the meantime, in order to help keep you fuller longer and to give your body the healthy boost it needs to function at its best.

Let Go of White Chocolate

Jeff Goodwin, Sr. Director, Performance Marketing & E-Commerce Orgain

If you have a sweet tooth, odds are that you probably like to eat chocolate. While some dark chocolates do offer some health benefits, it's important to note that not all chocolates are the same. White chocolate, while delicious, is actually quite unhealthy. It is full of sugar and can lead to problems such as tooth decay and even obesity. For many people, the taste of sugar can release endorphins into our body that calm us, plus sweet treats just taste good too. However, for the next month, challenge yourself by cutting down on chocolate, and giving up white chocolate altogether. Instead, if you find yourself having a sugar craving, eat a small piece of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is a very good antioxidant and will be better for your body. Plus, it's still chocolate, so you know it will taste good.

Give Up Fruit Juices and Eat Real Fruits Instead

Christy Pyrz, Chief Marketing Officer Paradigm Peptides

When it comes to healthy beverages, fruit juice has always been a bit of a misconception. While fruit juice sounds healthy, if you take a closer look at the label, you'll actually find that many fruit juices contain high amounts of sugar, and may actually be doing you more harm than good. Most fruit juices that you find at the grocery store are highly processed and are loaded with calories. Drinking fruit juice may also cause your blood sugar to spike, which can be bad news for your energy levels, especially during the middle of a work day. If you enjoy getting your daily fruit fix, try giving up fruit juices for one month and eating real fruits instead. By eating real fruits, your body will experience many more health benefits. For example, most fruits are very high in fiber, which can help your body with digestion, but when you drink fruit juices, the juicing process actually strips away part of the fiber from the fruits. So for the next month, try eating whole fruits instead of drinking sugary juices, in order to get the essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that your body needs.

Say Goodbye to French Fries

Anthony Puopolo, CMO REX MD

French fries are one of the most popular foods, but they also contain some of the highest amounts of unsaturated fats. When french fries are made, they are usually heavily fried in oil, and they are coated with a large amount of salt. Eating too many french fries on a consistent basis could lead you to experience high cholesterol levels, and can potentially lead to heart troubles or even a stroke. So the next time you order a cheeseburger, ask what other side options they have instead. Many restaurants now offer healthier alternatives, such as a side salad, mixed veggies, or even sweet potato fries. If you are making dinner at home, you can make carrot fries, zucchini fries, or even some fresh, sauteed green beans, so that you still feel like you are eating something similar. Try giving up french fries for one month, and let your body feel the difference. You may even surprise yourself and enjoy a french fry alternative more than regular fries.

Ditch the Energy Drinks

Jorge Usatorres, VP Universal Diagnostic Laboratories

While many people turn to energy drinks to give their system a boost, drinking these beverages can actually turn into a negative addiction that has harmful effects on your body. Energy drinks are known for having high amounts of caffeine, which could lead to serious heart or blood vessel problems. So for the next month, try to ditch the energy drinks and try out some other beverages to help you stay awake and have better concentration. For example, you can try drinking coffee, herbal tea, smoothies, or even a fruity flavor of sparkling water, to awaken your body. 

Try Cooking with Something Besides Butter and Margarine 

Hector Gutierrez, CEO JOI

If you are getting ready to cook your favorite dish, instead of reaching for the butter or  margarine, try cooking with a healthier alternative. Many people think that margarine and butter are the same because they look alike and taste very similar. However, butter is a dairy product, and margarine is an oil-based product, flavored to taste like butter. Both are high in fat and could lead to high cholesterol levels or the risk of heart disease later down the road. While both of these products may be called for in some recipes, for the next month, try to find substitutes, or get rid of them altogether. If you are just sauteing something on the stovetop, try to use a healthy oil instead. Olive oil is typically one of the most popular cooking oils, as it can add a subtle, yet peppery flavor to food, and it also contains Vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant. Canola oil is also another option you can try, as it is known for having healthy Omega-3 fats, as well as the lowest level of saturated fat among other cooking oils. 

Give Up Sweets to Get Better Sleep

Kim Yawitz, Owner CrossFit 26

If you want to sleep better, the number one food you should give up is candy. Gummy bears, for example, have 21 grams of sugar per serving, with only three grams of protein, zero grams of fat, and no vitamins or other beneficial nutrients to speak of. Eating too much candy could create short and long-term sleep issues. Snacking on candy or other sugary foods at night can also lead to hormone changes like increased insulin, cortisol, and adrenaline, that leave you restless, anxious, and hungry. In one large study, the odds of sleeping fewer than six hours per night were 32 percent higher in adolescents who ate candy and other sweets five times per week, and the odds of poor sleep quality were 30 percent higher among frequent sweets eaters. Another large study that included adults had similar findings specifically, that women who ate more sweets were more likely to report sleep troubles. Caffeine has been shown to decrease sleep time and quality, so avoiding caffeinated beverages and foods like dark chocolate in the afternoon and evening could promote better sleep.

Why You Should Give Up Soda

Casey Seidenberg, Co-Founder Nourish Schools

Soda is high in sugar and calories, which leads to obesity, diabetes, and blood sugar imbalances. The vast majority of sodas have no nutritional value. Weight issues aside, the excessive sugar in soda has many damaging effects such as decreased brain function, fatigue, moodiness, headaches, allergies, and a suppressed immune system. The artificial food colorings, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, MSG, and citric acid in soda have been shown to cause disruptive behaviors such as aggression and ADHD, lack of focus, and abnormal brain function. Soda drinkers are more likely to be lacking in calcium, magnesium, and many vitamins. Kids who drink soda often eat fewer whole foods. Drinking soda triggers the body to produce insulin which then triggers the body to crave more sugar.

We hope you have enjoyed learning about some of the benefits that your body will receive if you give up several unhealthy foods and beverages for one month. Remember to try out some new healthy alternatives to some of your favorite unhealthy foods. After your month-long cleanse, you will be sure to see an impact on your body's health, your mood, and your waistline, for an all-new, healthier you.