It's Time to Add Whole Foods to Your Diet
By Donna Stark
Eliminate carbohydrates, but keep the good ones. Add more protein to your diet, but eat less red meat. Try milk alternatives, but watch the sugar content in many of them. Wow. It can really be confusing to find those foods that help you feel your best, can't it? And that's because there is no such thing as a cookie-cutter diet! Everyone has their own requirements and needs to consider when it comes to creating a specific diet plan, but there is one common thing that is recommended for all ... whole, natural food!
What Are Whole Foods?
Imagine you are walking around a farmers market. What do you see? Do you see rows and rows of fresh vegetables, fruits, and locally sourced meats? Well, the items you are picturing are whole foods. Whole foods are foods that are consumed as close to their original form as possible. They don't have ingredient lists a mile long and they aren't packaged in boxes with toys. But don't start worrying if your freezer and pantry are full of those other kinds of items from the store. There are ways to make the change. Take a look at how you can switch to better nutrition at a pace that works for your family.
- Fruits snacks - Replace the fruit snacks in your pantry with whole, dehydrated, or dried fruit
- Granola bars - Take the time to find or make granola bars that are only made with natural ingredients
- Salad dressing - Skip the processed dressings and stick with a little olive oil mixed with vinegar or lemon
- Breakfast - Avoid those expensive boxes of cereal and fill your body with loads of nutrition by making homemade oatmeal, eggs, or a smoothie in the morning
- Vegetables - Go ahead and enjoy the convenience that frozen vegetables can bring, but make sure you are only buying vegetables and not the packages that include sauces
- Crunchy snacks - Chips offer plenty of crunch but if crunch is all you are looking for, get it from crisp, fresh vegetables, such as cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots
Less Confusion With Whole Foods
No matter what type of diet you follow, filling it with more whole foods is an easy way to increase the number of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals you consume. So, put a little extra time into your meal and snack planning and allow more whole foods to make their way into your body. It won't be long before you start seeing and feeling the difference!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Downers Grove, Ill.