26. Margarine – Butter/Ghee
Margarine had its moment in the spotlight as an easy-to-spread alternative to butter. But there is nothing natural or healthy about margarine: it’s made by adding flavor chemicals to trans fats (the kind of fat that clogs arteries).
Trans fat intake is directly associated with an increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol and a decrease in HDL (good) cholesterol.
Real butter is actually very good for you.
If you are unable to tolerate normal dairy, ghee should be your go-to. Ghee is clarified butter, which means it’s had the milk solids removed. Butter is naturally high in vitamins and minerals, as well as free of chemicals. True, organic raw butter and cream are also free of growth hormones and high in something called stigmasterol (also known as Wulzen Factor).
Stigmasterol is a powerful anti-inflammatory proven to prevent joint stiffness and arthritis. It is also an important factor in preventing osteoarthritis, as stigmasterol helps transport calcium directly into the bones.
27. Agave Nectar – Raw Honey
Agave nectar has been a popular, trendy food item for the last several years. Like many fads, the nutritional facts behind agave are not well known: it contains more fructose than high-fructose corn syrup, to the tune of 70-80%. It’s one of the highest glycemic index foods you could add to your diet, and void of any true nutritional value.
Because of the high demand for agave syrup in recent years, most agave on store shelves isn’t even naturally produced. Laboratory-generated fructose syrup is condensed, packaged, and sold as natural syrup for a fraction of the cost.
Raw honey is a much healthier and better tasting alternative. Like agave, it is naturally sweet, but bursting with health benefits. Besides aiding in digestion and supporting your body’s immune system, raw honey has natural antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. A tablespoon of locally-sourced raw honey a day can also eliminate seasonal allergies better than any over-the-counter allergy medication.
28. Soy Sauce – Coconut Aminos
Soy sauce is an extremely popular condiment, especially in asian countries. Not all soy sauces are created equal, however, and almost every version is super high in sodium. Soy itself – before being fermented – is a well-known endocrine system disrupter. Individuals with autoimmune disorders and/or a thyroid, hormone, or adrenal imbalance are often told to avoid soy and soy products because of this.
Coconut aminos are a great substitute for soy sauce. It’s naturally sweeter than soy, so you shouldn’t need to add any additional sweetener to your dishes. The fact that coconut aminos contain beneficial animo acids (also known as the building blocks of protein) make them a super healthy addition to your diet. Amino acids help repair and build muscle tissue and contribute to healthy immune and nervous system function.