How to Eat a Whole Foods Diet

People are often confused by the way I eat.  I know that a lot of my friends and acquaintances think that I live by a complicated set of rules and that it's almost impossible to determine what I do and don't eat. (I don't say "can eat" and "can't eat" because this is truly a choice:  I choose to eat whole foods because eating this way keeps me healthy and pain free.  I "can" eat whatever I want... I just pay for it later.)

The truth is, my diet is defined very simply:  I don't eat fake food.

I choose to eat apples instead of monosodium glutimate; brown rice instead of high fructose corn syrup.  Much of what is consumed today is made from either chemicals or genetically modified organisms, and I choose to stay away.

Still, I know it's hard to determine if your food is "real food" or "fake food."  It was hard for me when I first started eating this way, and that's why I created this blog - to help make it easier for other people who want to ditch processed food.  I've done the legwork for you!

"Whole foods are minimally processed or refined as little as possible before eating.  Whole foods provide maximum nutrients, fiber, enzymes, antioxidants, and taste without added artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, sweeteners, or trans-fats.  Whole foods are simple, local, unrefined foods, where processing is limited to enhancing digestibility (fermenting, soaking) or to food preservation such as canning, smoking, curing, or drying."  (Practice Longevity Information Packet, 2011)

FOODS I EMBRACE:

• Fruits and Vegetables (organic whenever possible)
• Locally Grown or Produced Foods - Fruits, vegetables, cheeses.
• Unrefined Sweeteners - Sucanat, agave nectar, honey, 100% maple syrup.
• Sprouted Grain Breads 
• Unrefined Oils - Pressed or expressed oils that come from whole plants such as coconuts, olives, nuts.
• Unrefined Flours - Rice flour, almond meal, graham flour.
• Whole grains - Oats, brown rice, quinoa, barley.
• Nuts and Seeds
• Organic Whole Milk
• Spices and Herbs

"FOODS" I AVOID:

• Artificial colors and dyes
• Artificial flavors
• Preservatives
• Refined Sweeteners
• Ingredients that I can't walk into the store and buy individually.

RESOURCES:

As I was beginning this journey into a whole foods lifestyle, I did some basic research.  If you'd like to learn more, I highly recommend reading these books:

...watching these films:

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...and checking out this blog:

www.100daysofrealfood.com

I hope this helps you in your understanding of whole foods living.  If you have any questions, leave a comment - I'd love to hear from you!