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Are you trying to eat healthier but are not sure where to start? It can be difficult to know what foods you should and shouldn’t be eating when trying to follow a whole food diet. A whole food diet is different from other diets in that it focuses on unprocessed, whole foods as the main source of nutrition. These foods are unrefined, meaning they haven’t had anything taken away from them. They are also as close to their natural state as possible with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
A whole food diet also limits processed foods like sugar and white flour. Instead of focusing on carbohydrates, fats and proteins, a whole food diet puts an emphasis on plant-based foods and minimally processed versions of natural sugars such as honey or maple syrup. There are many benefits associated with eating a whole food diet instead of others like the standard American diet (SAD). If you want to learn how this way of eating can improve your health, keep reading for more information
What to eat on a Whole Food Diet
To eat a whole food diet, you first have to figure out what foods are considered to be whole foods. First, we need to talk about some of the foods that aren’t whole foods. To be part of a whole food diet, foods such as cookies, cakes, and pies should be avoided since they are highly processed. These types of foods have had the natural nutrients taken out of them and have been replaced with added sugar, preservatives, and other artificial ingredients.
Whole foods are the opposite of this. They are meant to be unprocessed and have minimal to no artificial ingredients added to them. Whole foods include fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and unprocessed animal products such as eggs, milk, and yogurt. This doesn’t mean that you can’t ever have unhealthy foods on a whole food diet. It just means that you should try to incorporate as many of these healthy foods into your diet as possible. If you want to eat a healthy diet, eating more whole foods is a great place to start.
What to avoid on a Whole Food Diet
- Processed Foods: The biggest thing you want to avoid on a whole food diet is highly processed foods. These include foods such as cookies, cakes, pies, and chips that have had the natural nutrients removed and artificial ingredients added to them. These are not part of a whole food diet since they have had something taken away from them and have been altered in some way.
- Sugar: Sugar is another thing you want to try to avoid on a whole food diet. Many processed foods contain large amounts of sugar, including breakfast cereals, granola bars, cookies, and sauces. Sugar is linked to a variety of health issues, including obesity and heart disease.
- White Flour: White flour is another food you want to avoid on a whole food diet. This refined grain has had the bran and germ removed from it, which means it doesn’t have many of the nutrients that whole grains do such as fiber.
How a whole food diet can benefit your health
There are many health benefits associated with a whole food diet. For example, a whole food diet can help you lose weight. Eating foods that contain less sugar can help you reduce your cravings and avoid unhealthy binges. Additionally, the vitamins and minerals found in whole foods can help reduce your risk of developing certain diseases such as heart disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
How to start a whole food diet
If you’re interested in starting a whole food diet, there are a few things you can do to get started. First, make a list of all the foods you already eat that are considered whole foods. Next, make a list of the foods you currently eat that don’t fall under the whole foods category. Lastly, start replacing the foods you currently eat with whole foods that are similar to the ones you already eat. For example, if you usually eat cereal for breakfast, start replacing it with oatmeal. Doing this will help you start eating more whole foods and will get you on track to following a whole food diet.
Bonus Tip: Healthy Eating Habits
Believe it or not, your day has more impact on your overall health than you think. Yes, we’re talking about the little things that most people take for granted, like eating habits and schedules. Whether you have a hectic schedule or have time to spare in the morning or evening—these details can influence your eating habits and behavior. If you are someone who feels that their hectic lifestyle is hindering them from living a healthier life and want to change that—then read on!
Bottom line
A whole food diet means eating foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. That means avoiding processed foods like cookies, cakes, and pies, and replacing them with unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains. A whole food diet is great for your health because it has fewer added sugars and preservatives.
