The Sugar-Free, Salt-Oil Diet: What You Need to Know
It has become pretty obvious to most of us by now that so many popular diets out there today are anything but healthy or beneficial. That being said, there is an emerging diet that stands out for its potential for being both healthy and enjoyable at the same time, and that diet is the sugar-free, salt-oil diet.
We know, we know. It sounds just about as crazy and restrictive as those other diets that leave you feeling like you are going through some sort of dietary bootcamp. But fear not! It is actually quite manageable, and the yield in terms of health and happiness can be quite impressive. With that in mind, let’s understand what this diet is all about so you can make an informed decision as to whether or not it is right for you.
Understanding the Sugar-Free, Salt-Oil Diet
The basis of the sugar-free, salt-oil diet is exactly as the name implies: you are eliminating all sources of refined sugar, added salt, and vegetable oils from your diet. This means that you will instead focus on the consumption of nutrient-dense foods and natural fats, while debunking the false assumption that eating vegetable oils such as canola oil and soybean oil are healthy.
Why Would Someone Choose a Sugar-Free, Salt-Oil Diet?
There are a number of reasons why someone might choose to go on a sugar-free, salt-oil diet. Some of these reasons might include weight loss goals, improving overall health, or managing particular health conditions such as prediabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.
What Kind of Foods Are Allowed on a Sugar-Free, Salt-Oil Diet?
The good news is that there are a wealth of delicious and nutritious foods that are allowed on this type of diet. These include fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains. You can also include animal proteins such as grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, and pasture-raised poultry, as well as natural fats such as extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil.
What Foods Should be Avoided?
Of course, there are also foods that you need to be sure to avoid while following the sugar-free, salt-oil diet. These include refined grains and flours, processed and fried foods, artificial sweeteners, and added sugars. Additionally, you should also be sure to avoid all vegetable oils, including canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, and other similar oils.
Key Foods to Eat and Avoid on this Diet
Now that we’ve gone over what is included on the sugar-free, salt-oil diet, let’s take a look at a few of the key foods that you should be aware of when trying to make the best food choices for yourself.
Foods to Eat On the Sugar-Free, Salt-Oil Diet
• Fresh, frozen, or canned fruit and vegetables (without added salt, sugar, or oil)
• Dark leafy greens
• Nuts and seeds
• Legumes
• Whole grains
• Non-dairy milk alternatives
• Grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, pasture-raised poultry
• Natural fats such as extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil
Foods to Avoid On the Sugar-Free, Salt-Oil Diet
• Refined grains and flours
• Processed and fried foods
• Artificial sweeteners and added sugars (including honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, cane sugar, etc.)
• All vegetable oils, including canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, and others
Health Benefits of Following a Sugar-Free, Salt-Oil Diet
We know what you’re thinking: other than being able to break those addiction-like cravings that come with consuming too much sugar, salt, and unhealthy vegetable oils, what else can you get out of this lifestyle change? Well, here’s the answer: a lot!
When following a sugar-free, salt-oil diet, you can expect to experience a range of health benefits, such as:
• Increased energy levels
• Improved digestion
• Reduced risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity
• Improved mental clarity and focus
• Improved sleep quality
• Reduced inflammation in the body
• Improved overall health and wellbeing
Tips for Success on the Sugar-Free, Salt-Oil Diet
Now that we know what this diet is all about and the potential health benefits of following it, let’s take a look at a few practical tips that you can use to ensure that you stick with this diet and make it a success.
• Practice mindful eating: being mindful of when you are hungry and what you are eating can help you decide which foods to say “yes” and “no” to, and is key to a successful sugar-free, salt-oil diet.
• Choose nutrient-dense foods: sticking with nutrient-dense foods is key when it comes to a successful sugar-free, salt-oil diet, so aim to fill your plate with as many real, whole foods as you can.
• Drink water: staying properly hydrated is essential when it comes to a successful sugar-free, salt-oil diet, so make sure to keep up with your water intake throughout the day.
• Get plenty of sleep: getting enough sleep on a regular basis is essential for your overall health, so aim to get at least 7-8 hours of quality, restorative sleep every night.
• Prioritize movement: since physical activity is an essential component of a successful sugar-free, salt-oil diet, make sure to work in some enjoyable movement into your daily routine.
Final Thoughts
The sugar-free, salt-oil diet is one that offers a wealth of potential health benefits and can be relatively simple to implement in your daily life. So don’t be afraid to give it a try! Just remember to practice mindful eating, choose nutrient-dense foods, stay properly hydrated, prioritize sleep, and get plenty of enjoyable physical activity in, and you’ll be well on your way to successfully following this diet.
