Why Whole Foods?
What are 'whole foods'?
Whole food is real, single-ingredient, unprocessed food. It is free of the chemical preservatives, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, and artificial coloring commonly found in processed foods. Instead, whole foods are abundant in nutrients such as proteins, fibers, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that fuel and nurture our bodies. Whole, unprocessed foods are the very ingredients that we pull out of the earth, and are ready to be eaten. They are fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and legumes.
Better for the environment.
Benefits
The mass production of processed foods has had an extreme toll on our planet. Mass production has contributed to the destruction of rainforests for agricultural land, increased fuel needs, toxic pesticide use, greenhouse gas emissions, and disposed packaging that turns our planet’s oceans into uninhabitable wastelands. Developing sustainable agriculture based on whole food will help improve not only our health but the health of the planet, by reducing energy needs and decreasing the amount of non-biodegradable waste that we produce.
By now I think many of us have been lectured at one point or another by a friend or a parent about the tolls processed foods have on our health, and how eating real foods is so much more replenishing. I’m sure most of us know that whole foods are far more nutritious, low in sugar, and high in fibers, healthy fats, and antioxidants that boost our gut, heart, and immune health. A whole-food lifestyle has also proven to decrease the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer!
So what other pros are there?
It’s good for your skin! - Dark chocolate and avocados have been proven to protect skin against sun damage. What’s more, studies suggest that eating more vegetables, fish, beans, and olive oil may help reduce wrinkling, loss of elasticity, and other age-related skin changes. And if you’re experiencing acne breakouts, try cutting out processed foods from your diet. Chips, cookies, and sugary sweets could do a lot of damage to your pores!
It promotes dental health! - The sugar and refined carbs commonly found in processed foods promote dental decay by feeding the plaque-causing bacteria that live in your mouth. A combination of sugar and acid in soda is the perfect recipe for a cavity! Avoiding these refined ingredients could drastically improve the strength and hygiene of your purely whites!
Buy produce from your local farmers to help support them. - Purchasing produce, meat, and dairy from local farmers markets supports the people who grow food in your community. In addition, local farms often provide much fresher and less processed food than supermarkets. And chances are, the foods you buy will also be more sustainably farmed.
And above all, real food tastes delicious! The remarkable flavor of fresh, unprocessed food is undeniable. Once your taste buds have adjusted to real food, processed junk food simply won’t compare.
