5 Nutritionists & Naturopaths On What You Will Never Find In Their Fridge
Spring is often a season of new beginnings, and for many, it’s the time to reevaluate our eating habits. Rather than succumbing to toxic messages about “summer body prep,” let’s focus on nourishing ourselves properly and keeping our bodies strong. We’ve consulted with five experts in nutrition and naturopathy who share insights into their fridge contents—or rather, what they consciously avoid.
Sarah Benhamou: The Clean Eating Advocate
- Processed Deli Meats: Known for containing nitrites, which are detrimental to health.
- Industrial Fruit Juices: These can spike blood sugar and offer minimal nutritional benefits.
- Processed Convenience Foods: Opt for organic frozen alternatives with known ingredients instead.
Lucile Champy: The Microbiota Protector
- Packaged Puddings: Ultra-processed and damaging to gut health. Homemade versions are better.
- 0% Fat Yogurts: Ironically, diet products can lead to weight gain due to their sweetness levels.
- Butter: Prefers healthier fats like ghee or quality oils over traditional butter.
Mary Delberghe: The Inflammation Fighter
- Cows’ Milk Yogurts: Often inflammatory, replaced with plant-based alternatives for improved health.
- Margarine: Contains harmful trans fats and lacks nutritional benefits. Uses real fat sources instead.
- Industrial Fruit Juices: Missing the beneficial fiber of whole fruits, can destabilize blood sugar levels.
Mary Capelle: The Heart-Healthy Chef
- Processed Convenience Foods: High in salt and unhealthy fats. Prefers fresh vegetables for snacking.
- Butter: Avoids due to its saturated fat content, uses healthier oils for cooking instead.
- Industrial Fruit Juices: Favors water flavored with natural infusions over sugary juices.
Mélodie Dewever: The Fresh Food Enthusiast
- Cows’ Milk Products: Avoids due to inflammation and digestive issues associated with casein.
- Processed Products: Advocates for fresh, raw produce combined with simple seasonings.
- Sodas: High in sugar and inflammatory. Recommends sparkling water or flavored waters instead.
Key Takeaways for a Healthier Lifestyle
As we’ve seen from our experts, making conscious choices about what we stock in our fridges can have profound effects on our health and well-being. Here are some additional tips inspired by their advice:
- Embrace Whole Foods: Prioritize fresh fruits and vegetables over processed alternatives.
- Natural Sweeteners: Use fruit, dates, or honey instead of artificial sweeteners for a healthier option.
- Fat Quality Over Quantity: Choose sources of healthy fats like avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
- Dairy Alternatives: Explore plant-based milk and yogurt options if dairy causes digestive discomfort.
This blog post provides insights from nutritionists on what to avoid in your fridge, along with additional tips for adopting healthier eating habits.