Our society faces an epidemic because over half of Americans live with a chronic illness and a third suffer from obesity. Does your health or weight impede you from having a healthy, bountiful life? If yes, the seven steps outlined in this article will help you improve your energy level, clarity of mind, and lose weight naturally.

What caused this epidemic? I believe it is the foodlike substances that manufacturers entice us to eat. Instead, we need to eat the foods God created for humans. God gave you a glorious body that is programmed to heal itself if you provide it with the proper nutrition he intended.

Step 1. Decide to improve your health through proper nutrition.

The decision to improve your health and well-being is very personal. No one can make this decision for you, it is your choice. But I hope you will choose to improve your health by changing what you eat.

Step 2. Acquire knowledge to help make a lifestyle change.

Learning which foods are harmful versus beneficial is crucial in sorting out what you should eat. For example, most oat, soy, corn, and wheat crops in the US are GMO Roundup Ready crops whereby the carcinogen, glyphosate (active ingredient in Roundup) is used on the crops as the farmer deems necessary. Therefore, you could consume glyphosate residue if you eat foods containing these ingredients unless they are organic.

Sweets and refined carbohydrates are addictive and harmful to the human body. The food industries spike our foods with sugar, and this causes us to become addicted. In addition, as the whole food is processed it is stripped of its nutritional value to extend its shelf life which increases the food industries profits but depletes our health.

Step 3: Clean out the pantry and refrigerator by removing unhealthy foods.

Remove unhealthy foods from your kitchen, so you are not tempted to eat them. Some unhealthy foods include wheat, sugar, corn syrup, white rice, artificial sweeteners, processed meats, processed foods, margarine, milk products, and soft drinks.

Step 4: Purchase healthy food.

Plan your menu and grocery list and buy healthy foods. I post menus, recipes, and corresponding grocery lists at HealthyLivingSeriesBlog.com. God gave us a vast variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains to nourish our bodies. These wholesome foods can replace processed items that the food industry wants us to consume.

Step 5: Begin changing your eating habits.

Now that you cleaned out the pantry, bought nutritious food, and planned your menu, start weaning yourself off harmful products. Only drink water and a glass or two of tea or coffee. Stop eating wheat and any processed foods.

Step 6: Prepare and eat foods differently than you did before.

Follow the healthy eating guidelines listed below:

Buy organic fruits, vegetables, and meats. About 50 percent of your food should be fresh, organic vegetables. Eat one fresh, raw serving of a low-glycemic fruit per day. Low-glycemic fruits include green apples, berries, cherries, pears, plums, and grapefruit. Do not always eat cooked foods. Eat a couple of servings of raw vegetables every day. Eat a salad for lunch with nuts, meat, or an avocado. When eating out, order a salad or coleslaw as sides since both are raw.
Plan for 25 percent of your food to be an animal or vegetable protein such as beans, nuts, and lean meats. Fish is especially nutritious. A variety of different nuts and seeds are excellent sources of protein, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Eat nontraditional grains such as quinoa, amaranth, pearled barley, and oats.

Step 7: Improve your health through continuing this new lifestyle.

As you incorporate these seven steps into your life, your energy level and health improve, and you lose weight. Live the abundant life Jesus wants you to experience by continuing this lifestyle change for the rest of your life.

Jesus told us, “The thief‘s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness” John 10:10 (NLT). Are you living life to its fullness? If not, are you ready to take steps necessary to birth a new you? May God bless you on your journey to improve your health.

Excerpt with permission from 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates by Susan U. Neal, copyright 2017.