We all know plant foods are good for us and that we should eat more veggies, but did you know there are a few that you should totally avoid??? Yes, absolutely. Depending on what your goals are, however. If your goal is weight loss, balanced blood sugar and detoxification of candida (a common link to MANY illnesses) then you should definitely avoid these 5 veggies…
Corn
Aside from being the #1 GMO crop, corn is very hard to digest and very high glycemic (60). This is not a vegetable that offers very much nutrients anyway, even though we all love summer sweet corn. If you eat corn, at least do yourself a favor and buy it from a local farmer and eat it fresh and raw. Products make with corn like cereals are not healthy for you even though they may boast the Gluten Free label (go with rice based instead).
White Potatoes
Again another very high glycemic vegetable, coming in with a glycemic index rating of 98, its almost pure sugar (carb) and minimal nutrient. This is a tiny step of in the snack department. If you are a chip eater, I suggest potato or corn chips purely on the GMO front.
Beets
Beets definitely have some advantages such as helping to detoxify the liver, and having beta-carotene and fiber, but if you are trying to lose weight, lower your blood sugar, or avoid putting sugar into your body to get rid of a candida infection, beat the beet. They are too high on the glycemic index (64) for Six Week Slim Down, so just plan to skip them for now. Plenty of other low glycemic and low sugar options to get the same goods!
Carrots
With a glycemic index of 71, they are definitely off the list of Weight Loss foods, I know this may be surprising, but remember that when you eat a lot of sugar, it’s a lot harder to lose fat. Carrots don’t even resemble their original state (like many vegetables) and are not super high in nutrients either, aside from beta carotene and Vitamin A, both of which you can get from bell peppers and dark leafy greens.
Soy Beans
I wish I could say more good things here. They do have fiber! But… sadly they are the 2nd largest GMO crop and are genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria and viruses spliced into their DNA to help them tolerate weed killers, creating a very unnatural plant. One study carried out by a MIT biologist revealed that there was an accumulation of formaldehyde (a carcinogen) as well as depletion of glutathione (a natural anti-oxidant) in GMO soybeans (integrativesystems.org). Not worth the risk, find your fiber elsewhere.
If these foods are staples in your diet, don’t fret! There are so many amazing plant foods available to us! Try visiting the farmers market and get something new each week, or maybe even grow your own amazing garden. It will make a huge difference in your health.
Nicole Carter is a Holistic Health Educator, wellness program developer and Laguna Beach California Professional Health Coach with over 13 years of experience studying and teaching holistic health. She has founded several health and wellness businesses and has formulated numerous herbal products for other companies. As a holistic health coach she teaches health in many facets, including teaching wellness strategies for businesses, schools, teachers, parents and women’s groups. She has been teaching classes live, online via Webinars and through her published book and DVD series for several years. Nicole has many years of training and experience in the field of wellness including a Masters Degree in Health Promotion from University of Nevada Las Vegas with a focus on holistic health, obesity and corporate wellness.