Eating Whole Foods is
Part of a Natural Lifestyle
Eating whole foods should be the key to what we put in our bodies each and every day. It is one of the things we have absolute control over that can make a difference in our health and well being. What we choose to eat.
Whole foods are some of the most nutritious food choices out there as they are real foods. It is natural food in its natural state. If you want to start eating healthier, start by eating whole foods on a daily basis. It is easier to start these wise habits at home where you can strive to have fresh foods to make wholesome meals at all times. It can be more challenging if you leave this option up to chance when you are outside of the home because these options are not as available in most restaurants. Stock up on the basics: whole grain pastas, brown rice, whole grain breads,
healthy beans
, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and nut butters, coconut, rice or almond milks. A well stocked kitchen will increase your chances of sticking to a healthy diet. When shopping for canned foods it's a good habit to read the labels to determine the sodium, sugar, hydrogenated oils and preservatives in the product. Look for products where just the main ingredient such as tomatoes, beans or peanuts and the main ingredient instead of a paragraph of flavorings or preservatives. When shopping for pasta's, look for whole grains like brown rice pasta or whole wheat. Other grains to look for are brown rice, quinoa, whole oats and whole grain cereals. Having an variety of whole grains in the pantry makes for good choices of wholesome whole foods. Grains have staying power and they are packed with good nutrients. When you have a well stocked kitchen, the idea of eating whole foods will become more naturally to you and your family. Try using a motto like "bring in the natural food and get rid of the fake foods" when going through the refrigerator and the cupboards. Take a look for the processed items including canned foods, processed and frozen boxed foods, and condiments that don't follow the whole foods concept. When you are planning to leave for work or a weekend outing, get in the habit of packing a cooler or sack with these examples: homemade sandwich, salad or soup, yogurt, nuts, cut up veggies, and a piece of fruit. Taking your food from home provides you with better nutrition than you can get at any vending machine or restaurant. Making the effort to avoid and or limit restaurant outings can help trim hundreds to thousands of unnecessary calories that are typical in dining out. Restaurant foods are often prepared with fats from butter, oils and cheese to help make the food taste appealing. And often times when dining out the temptations of ordering things you normally would not eat and drink at home are hard to resist. Try to be wise when choosing meals out. Select the healthiest choices on the menu. Ask the waiter to have your meal prepared without butter or oils and suggest using a little wine and or lemon and seasonings instead. If the portion of your meal is large, ask for a box and put half away for another meal. There is no reason to attempt to eat more than necessary and then feel miserable when you can enjoy the other half portion tomorrow. Eating whole foods is a more conscious and disciplined lifestyle. As your mindset becomes more accustomed to this way of eating, you will find that you don't want processed foods in your diet. It takes some time in retraining your brain but it is well worth the effort. You may find that your mind is in control of the food choices and your body will thank you for it. You will see the difference in how you look and feel. And a bonus might be losing weight and having more energy. Remember, you are what you eat! Studies have shown that those that consume more than 5 servings a day from the 4 whole food plant groups, fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes have a much lower risk of having degenerative syndromes than those who eat less of a whole food diet.
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