- Processed foods are an illusion, often appearing to be healthy (with claims like low fat, low carb, vitamin fortified, no trans fat, contains omega-3s, etc.) when these foods are in fact the very thing making a lot of Americans unhealthy, sick, and fat.
- Coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer – four of the top ten chronic diseases that kill most of us – “can be traced directly to the industrialization of our food” according to Michael Pollan.
- Making smarter (and sometimes more expensive) food choices now may reduce your healthcare costs later in life.
- Why would one want to eat a processed food-like substance that is scientifically designed to never rot?
- The food industry has proven that it is not very good at seasoning our foods by adding way too much salt, sugar, and/or oil to almost everything.
- When you eat white bread and other foods made with white flour (which is a highly processed version of wheat) you are basically consuming empty calories with far less nutrition than the whole-wheat or whole grain alternatives.
- It is estimated that up to 90% of processed foods* in the supermarket contain either a corn or soy ingredient in the form of an additive under a variety of different names. Now how is that for eating variety?
- Cutting out processed foods could lead you to experience a variety of personal health benefits such as having more energy, losing weight, improving regularity, or just feeling healthier overall.
- Rather than counting calories, watching fat grams, or reducing carbs for “healthy eating,” simply eat whole foods that, as Michael Pollan puts it, are more the product of nature than “the product of industry.” It certainly is less complicated.
- It just makes plain old sense to fully understand what you are eating, be able to pronounce everything on the list of ingredients (if there is a list), and know exactly where that food comes from…don’t you think?
*Statistic courtesy of a food scientist interviewed on the documentary “Food, Inc”
[...] These processed foods may be convenient but most of them are high in calories and sugar and salt. They are not conducive to good health. [...]
[...] a general rule we are staying away from all processed foods and sugars (except in fruits/honey/maple syrup), dairy and grains, but like everyone to make this [...]
I stopped eating processed foods when I found the paleo diet delivery company http://www.theprimalplan.com. So good
Watch the movie Fork over Knives, it will help you with the struggle of eating processed food.
I love your blog. I watched Fork Over Knives and Food Matters last year and went to a plant based diet for myself. My family still eats meat and other products but I’m working on getting away from processed foods too. Processed foods are a lot of times easier to make and give to the family but it’s not good for your kids! I applaud you for taking a stand to make a different in the health of your family.
Great job Lisa! A slight confusion of what one considers whole food. all non; coldpressed oils could be contaiminated with hexane extracted GMO sourced oils. Perhaps an food approach to eliminate these And pizza type foods altogether from the diet…see Ted Broer & John Macarther sites for science reasons for health. As a Maple Producer antioxidants are helping to inform our customers.. a look at Nivindra Seerams research also enlightening. We grow a large portion of our vegies in own organic Garden, again the health benefits are huge…but one has to facter in the costs in soil amendments seeds and compost time & exercise costs & benifits in fitness. To shop Farmers Markets another (weapon) in the fight against industrial AG & its monsanto toxins the real reson to get off the fast food kick. Hurray for slow sustainable foods.
Good article! Basically, the only way to eat healthy is to eat REAL food.
[...] Today’s assignment may just be one of the most interesting one yet. Before I get to the assignment I’d like to remind you to keep dumping the junk. Enevitablably you’ll come across more things that may have been hidden in the back of your pantry as the days go on. When you come across the “poison” dump it! I love this post from 100 Days of Real Food. Check out 10 reasons Why you should cut out processed food! [...]
Thank you for your time and efforts to educating the public. Real, whole foods take some time to learn to how to prepare, but easy once you get the hang of it and are delicious. Great site, and keep up the inpiring and educational work.
[...] and savored, even with an abundance of cheeses and breads, walking is a part of life, and fresh, whole, seasonal ingredients aren’t something that your weird hippie neighbor who works at the co-op [...]
Not only do 90% of processed foods contain soy and wheat which doesn’t give you much variety – but more importantly, unless they are organic soy and corn have been GENETICALLY MODIFIED. This only began in the 90′s and we are just beginning to see the results of experimenting with nature and using humans as a lab experiment. If you want to learn more, watch the movie “Genetic Roulette”. It is fascinating and shocking what has happened to our food supply.
[...] http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/10-reasons-to-cut-out-processed-food/ [...]
Check out my Related blog on Processed foods … PLEASE SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE HELPFUL INFO http://droppoundsconsulting.blogspot.com/2013/03/why-arent-you-full-yet-processed-foods.html
After decades battling weight and chronic inflammation, I started an anti-inflammatory/anti-processed food plan three weeks ago. To date am 24 lbs lighter. Joints do not constantly ache. Fasting glucose went from over 200 to 148. Seriously! In just three weeks. Thank you for getting the message out there, Lisa.
Hi Christina. Can you point me in the direction of the diet you are following. My husband has a lot of problems with chronic inflammation and we are looking for a change in our eating to help… Would love any suggestions!
Thanks!
Happy to, Laurin. I’ve yo-yo dieted for years but even losing 30 lbs on Weight Watchers didn’t make me feel any better. Still in constant pain. My chiropractor recommended doing some anti-inflammatory research (regular doc just recommended Mediterranean diet). I dove in and purchased a bunch of books on Amazon. You get a lot of mixed information so you have to just give it a try. Who knew that pineapples were naturally anti-inflammatory and that nightshades produce (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers) can cause inflammation in those with a particular sensitivity. I used to eat tomatoes daily thinking I was making a healthy choice. Now not a one. The book I culled the most information from that was user-friendly enough for me to apply to my daily life is called Meals that Heal Inflammation by Julie Daniluk. I highly recommend just adding anti-inflammatory recipe books to your bookshelf and building a go-to arsenal.
hello i liked your post and wanted to ask just what kind of eating you do now, you see i am 54 diabetic had a quadrouple bypass, toe amputation and generally feel crappy all the time i weigh 192 but i want to get down to 160 and no matter what i can not seem to do it i know i have a little or alot..lol of belly fat and i do not exercise much any more but i would like some help thanks you so much..greg
Greg –
First sorry this is so long. As I said above, I’ve just been learning a lot from anti-inflammatory cookbooks. I seldom eat processed foods. I’m kind of a creature of habit so my breaksfasts and lunches are pretty routine. Breakfast I alternate between a coconut milk smoothie (add a scoop of Amazing Greens, some frozen fruit–usually pineapple/strawberry/mango, anti-inflammatory spices–ginger & cinnamon, yogurt, and chia seed to keep me full) and oatmeal (from Trader Joes, topped with ground flax seed, a teaspoon of maple syrup, some fruit–usually raspberries), and nuts–almonds or walnuts. I eat the same thing almost every weekday for lunch. Mixed greens salad (usually something with arugula), grilled or baked chicken, grapes, walnuts, olive oil & balsamic vinegar dressing. Snack of string cheese and pineapple (also anti-inflammatory) in the later afternoon. Dinner is a bit more challenging because I was a fast food junkie before. Now we eat lots of beans, chicken, broccoli. Sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes. No corn. No tomatoes. Not processed “white stuff” like bread or pasta. We try one new recipe a week. And I’ve discovered a love of avocado. And I spice up everything. We’ve become huge fans of cumin & coriander. Seldom use salt. I allow myself one piece of dark chocolate a day. And that’s all for sweets. Don’t know if this will help. If I would have read this a month ago I would have thought “blech” but something just finally clicked for me. When the inflammatory pain started to subside (rather quickly, I might add), the rest just sort of fell into place. I’m down 29 lbs now in just over a month and able to get out an walk every day. Something I haven’t done in years. Good luck in whatever you endeavor.
Four months ago I went on a plant based diet. Within days the joint pain was gone and I had a ton more energy. I am off my high BP medication with my doctor’s blessing. My blood work numbers are all trending downward and the doc said he was “impressed”. He even quoted Hippocrates, “Let food be thy medicine.” I will always eat this way and even when I try to eat a fast food burger, it tastes like sawdust with a salty pickle on top. I love my life and am so very happy I am eating correctly again.
Eleanor, what exactly is a plant based diet? I need some serious help losing weight!
Do you have any tips on getting over the cravings when making the switch to real food? How long does this craving period last? Having a difficult time making the switch for this reason despite having all this new knowledge. Cravings are winning over the knowledge.
Hi Brandy. A good rule of thumb for creating a habit and losing old cravings is to stick with it for 21 days. When first giving up sugar, I noticed a big drop in my craving after only 10days. Once you get over that initial hump, you won’t want to go back.
Good luck. Amy
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