A lot of things keep us from living a healthy lifestyle. We’re juggling too many demands on our time. We don’t have the motivation to do that workout they say is so important. We wait until a problem arises before we address it, rather than taking steps early to prevent (or lessen) health struggles that are waiting to strike.
Few things, however, get in the way of healthy living as much as the food we eat. Today, 93% of Americans don’t meet the requirements to be considered metabolically healthy. Metabolic health markers include blood glucose, blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and waist circumference. If you have healthy levels in all five categories, then you’re one of the rare individuals enjoying good metabolic health.
How did we get here? Before you start reprimanding yourself for the mac and cheese you ate for lunch today, know that the state of the world’s health is not all our fault. And then take heart in knowing that we can, in fact, do something about it.
Farming methods have changed
Many people question their current health and feel guilty or disappointed for “letting themselves go.” However, this issue is more complex. The food we eat today is different from the food our ancestors ate. These changes are due to selective breeding and recent genetic modification.
Today’s farming techniques cater to our sweet tooth and demand for bigger, juicier, and better-tasting produce. The result is fruits and vegetables that look and taste great, but that aren’t as nutritious as they used to be.
Food companies have too much power
You can’t talk about the modern food landscape without addressing ultra-processed foods. Processed foods make up about 60% of the American diet, and are designed to be tasty and convenient so we’ll keep coming back for more. Many of those foods are stripped of nutrients and fiber and loaded with refined sugars and unhealthy fats instead.
Most of us get our food from the grocery store. You’re probably used to seeing the same brands over and over again. In fact, just 11 food companies have captured $3.3 trillion in value, giving them immense power over the food available to us, selling what is essentially various flavors of refined carbohydrates. Their focus is their bottom line, and they know more than anyone that foods high in sugar or unhealthy fats—the stuff that makes their food tasty and addictive—will keep their products flying off the shelves.
The rise of modern diseases
So where does this leave us? These changes to the food we eat are contributing to a sicker society, even in an age with amazing scientific advancements for healthcare. Not only are we less metabolically healthy, we don’t feel as well as we could, which affects the quality of our lives, too.
A metabolic health intervention
Getting our metabolic health back on track will require a shift in mindset and habits for a lot of us. Unicity has recognized this decades ago, and has been working ever since to develop science-based solutions that make it easier for people all over the world to support their metabolic health.
Considering most diets fail, it’s clear that willpower is not enough to stimulate the lasting change we need, no matter how much we want to change. What we need is something to close the gap between where we are and where we want to be.
The Feel Great approach
The Feel Great approach is simple: intermittent fasting plus two products that support your intermittent fasting goals.
Our bodies store and use two main sources of fuel for energy: carbohydrates and fat. We are born with the ability to use both sources and switch between the two efficiently, known as metabolic flexibility. However, when we eat a diet high in carbohydrates or eat constantly throughout the day (and night), this keeps our insulin and blood glucose levels elevated and means we never tap into our stored energy and rarely burn off enough carbohydrates to return to a natural fat-burning state.
Intermittent fasting, or increasing time between our meals, enables the body to maintain low insulin levels for longer periods and allows your body to utilize your stored carbohydrates and fat for energy. This practice has been extensively researched and has been shown to help individuals maintain healthy glucose and cholesterol levels, support heart health, and improve overall metabolic health, among other benefits.
The catch is that intermittent fasting can be hard to maintain long term, which is where the two products, Unimate and Balance, come in.
Unimate is a highly concentrated yerba mate drink that helps maintain endurance and stamina, promotes good mood, and supports weight-management efforts. You can drink it—without breaking your fast—anytime you need a boost or a little extra help extending your fast a few hours (and feel great doing it).
Balance is a pre-meal fiber drink designed to ease some of the impact excess carbohydrates and can have on the body. It also helps curb appetite between meals—helping you stick to your overnight fast—and supports normal, healthy blood glucose levels.
One practice, two products, less willpower required: it’s as simple as that.
Take back control
Poor metabolic health is one of the greatest threats facing our society today, but it’s not too late to do something about it. Millions of people around the world are making a healthier lifestyle a bigger priority, and feeling better each day because of it.
There’s lots to love about the Feel Great approach, but top of the list is that it actually does help you feel great, without forcing you to endure an extreme diet or exercise regimen. Head over to ufeelgreat.com to learn more about the program and how to get started.