If you like:

Refined sugar

Choose instead:

Honey, pure maple syrup, or sugar in the raw

Because:

Refined sugar raises your insulin level, which can depress your immune system, deplete your body of essential vitamins and nutrients, and pro- mote storage of fat. Bottom line: a bigger bottom!! But don’t go over- board on the honey and other natural sweeteners: sugar is still sugar, and your body will still experience that blood-sugar nosedive. Combine your sugar with fat, protein, or fiber to slow the absorption.

If you like:

Products with high-fructose corn syrup (check your fave soda, salad dressing, or nutrition bar)
Choose instead:
Products with natural sweeteners, such as honey or agave

Because:

The body processes corn syrup directly through the liver, then stores it as fat. Plus, you use up your body’s vitamins and minerals processing those empty calories. Bad idea! Do your best to avoid!

If you like:

Products with bleached white flour

Choose instead:

Whole-grain or unbleached flour

Because:

The bleaching process robs flour of nutrients and fiber. Those empty cal- ories will act on your body much as sugar does, spiking your blood sugar and setting off a craving for more.

If you like:

Products with artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, saccharin, su- cralose, and phenylalkaline (Check your fave cereals, pudding, popsi- cles, and low-fat yogurt)
Choose instead:

Natural sweeteners, like agave and sugar in the raw

Because:

These processed and unnatural derivatives of food and/or chemicals wreak havoc on your metabolism and energy levels and have been linked to cancer and Type 2 diabetes. These should be at the top of your Not to Eat list!