- 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"
Sheri N says
I am new at this but have researched a lot about processed foods and it's relation to disease and obesity. I am sold to the fact that our current diet is contributing to the overwhelming increase in cancers, diabetes and other significant health issues. My grandparents and parents ate whole foods and were so much healthier than our generation (I'm 58) I was raised on whole foods but as I reached adult years and fast foods became so convenient I got away from cooking real meals.
Thanks for your website and for keeping us up to dat on why we need to return to our "roots" of real food, not processed. As for me and my family...we will return to whole foods and organic/local as much as we possibly can.
johanna says
yep! if you can't say it, let alone spell it, then don't eat it!
Crafty Mama says
I love #9. It's so ironic how we try to make bad food healthy by tiptoeing around it, when really we just have to eat REAL food with little to no tiptoeing involved! :)
Takeshi says
You should also remember that many processed foods are addicting (because of sugar/artificial sweeteners and other crappy chemicals). And that's the whole problem with cutting processed food from your diet - it's damn hard because you're so used to it and when you're used to eating it, it tastes better than vegetables, fruits, nuts or whole grains.
Kisya says
Love this site!! Thanks!!!
@Kim try probiotics! It will clear up!! Choose one with many strains and a high billions count :)
Kim Sealy says
Just discovered your site today! pretty awesome. I recently discovered an organic and locally grown store (Freshfield Farms)in Orlando, fl. and I have been shopping there. We have completely changed our diet and eat fruit, veggies and meat. I also have a husband, daughter (5), son (3). My daughter has bad allergies and my husband has suffered from Candida for a long time. Since the change my hubbys rashes have almost all cleared up. His downfall is still sneaking sweets after everyoone is in bed. I need lots of healthy brownie, cookie recipes. I'm going to try a swap and see if he notices the differences. I believe this is the last step to clear his candida forever.
linda says
Candida....totally try getting in some good probiotics. Greek yogurt is a good source. add powdered form in fruit smoothies (feeds sweet tooth, too). I also take an amino acid to help with sugar cravings ... glutamine. 1000 mg /day I think. (just one capsule typically) not expensive. Probiotics will likely help all of you! Good luck and happy FRESH eating! My latest thing, btw is to give up WHEAT. It has helped my belly fat go bye bye (in my mid-40s) - and there are plenty of substitutions!
Nicky says
I am a homemaker/student and I have gone from not ever cooking a meal (when we first got married almost 6 years ago) to cooking almost every night. I recently watched Food, Inc. and I was appalled at what I put into my body and the bodies of my family. It seemed unfathomable that I have been putting food into my body on a daily basis that I didn't even know what it contained! I am so happy to report that the very next day after watching that movie, I have cleaned out my cupboards, spent a load on some staples, and now I'm excited to use my culinary creativity on foods I am proud to feed my family. Thank you for this site, as I can feel it's going to be one of my biggest resources.
Christine says
I'm also a no processed food newbie, I came across your site via Penterest which was also given to me by a co-worker just recently. I decided for my new year resolution to cut back on the processed foods and make as much of it on my own. I did not know what I was missing!! I've been told in the past by my Dr to cut back on processed because of my HBP but I didn't really listen, now I'm in my 50's and it just seems to make since and to know we live in the same state, I'm in W-S, I look forward to learning more..thank you for the helpful info!!!
Sheri says
Christine, I am in my 50s too and have taken BP meds for years. Since I stopped eating processed foods, especially fast food I have been able to stop taking the BP meds. I stopped eating fast food and processed foods (for the most part) in April this year. Just a few weeks later my BP stared being really low and I felt tired all the time. I stopped taking the BP meds and now I don't feel tired and my BP is normal. That is really the only thing I have done that would reduce the BP....it works!
Margaret Presley says
Interested in your website. Look forward to your e-mails.
Jen D. says
Lisa,
I am just SO THRILLED that I found this website. I am a no processed food newbie, but I am obsessed with this site. I love the way you break this complex topic down into easy to understand smaller portions, and offer recipies and suggestions. I am so thankful for you and your help!! I have learned so much already...I can't believe I ate so much processed JUNK without knowing what it really does to my body! This has been an eye opening experience!!
Sarah says
Just wanted to say "Thanks" for great and simple recipes. I've started cutting back on processed food and have been struggling on how to still make interesting meals that don't take a lot of work every night. So Thank You!!
Anna says
I just stumbled upon this blog via Pinterest, and I love it. I have lost all 45 pounds of my pregnancy weight following most of these guidelines, and I really don't feel like I've been on a diet at all. It's just delicious, healthy food.
Rose says
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia not too long ago and I don't like taking pills unless I really have to take them. Since switching to a whole foods diet, I have seen a significant decrease in pain flare ups. Not only do I have fewer headaches, limb pains, etc, but they're less severe. That was all the proof I needed to make the change permanent. Since then, my whole family has eliminated processed foods from their diets. Everything is better. Everyone is so much healthier! I love your blog!
Laura says
I have lost 45lbs since September 2011 all due to cutting out sodas, upping my water intake, and eating organically. So yes, cutting out the processed foods can give you a weight loss. I am hoping to reach my goal by this Summer.
DD says
Looking for a low sodium diet for a picky eater...any suggestions
Tina says
I am so glad to have found your blog! I have recently developed an allergy to corn and corn derivatives, which are in just about every processed food out there. Your blog will definitely be a go to when I'm at a loss of what to make.
Alycia says
We moved from the US to Nigeria in 2009. Here we eat very little processed food because it's either not available or very expensive. After one year of living here and not intentionally "dieting" I had a physical exam, including blood tests. All my numbers (cholesterol, etc) had gone down) and that was without trying. I know it was due to our change in eating natural foods (and the fact that the meat here is very lean). This is a great website. Thanks for sharing the recipes.
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Mary says
The Harcombe Diet
Ryan Critchett says
Totally! I've been really paying attention to this over the last couple of years, have cut out most processed food completely, and am noticing incredible energy based results. Love it!
Brittany says
I am glad one of my friends told me about this site. I have an allergy to yeast in high amounts and being tested for an allergy to gluten. Diabeties, heart problems and cancer runs high in my family. I am glad that there is a site out there that I can go to for advise.
Thanks again!
Adrianne says
Lisa,
I discovered your site a couple of months ago and it has been so inspiring for me! I have learned so much but at times I have been overwhelmed with all of the new information. I am hoping that you can provide some guidance on dairy products. I live in a rural area with a Food Lion and another small gorcery store. I can purchase Horizon Organic Milk for twice the price of Food Lion's Milk for my family of six--and we typically by 4 gallons a week. I have recently done that. However, from reading other material, I have wondered whether we should even consume homogonized, pasteurized dairy--some people believe that raw dairy is the only way to go. Do the health benefits from processed dairy outweigh the risks? We have even thought of buying a cow! One other option is to buy regular Sealtest milk which I am assuming would be more local than Food Lion's milk due to where it is processed. However, I really don't know whether that is true and am wondering how to find the answers to that. My dilemma concerns whether I should buy local and not organic, buy organic instead of local or try to find a way to buy milk that is not from a grocery store and how does one do that?
I hope that I have not asked too many questions!
Thanks!
100 Days of Real Food says
Hi there! I agree it can be overwhelming at first to make the transition to "real food." Raw milk is actually illegal here in North Carolina so we drink the least processed milk available, which is non-homogenized whole milk that's been pasteurized at a lower temperature than standard grocery store milk. I actually don't even think it is "certified organic," but the farm (which is in Virginia) does follow organic practices. I would check with your local milk option to see how they treat/handle the cows (what they feed them) and if they use any antibiotics or hormones. Whenever in doubt...call the company and ask questions! If they don't make themselves (or the information) easily available then that would raise a red flag for me. I hope that helps!
John Lancaster says
We are in SC and purchase raw milk from a dairy who makes deliveries in Ft. Mill, SC. There is a huge group from NC that travels down every 2 weeks to pick up milk. Look at the dairy at http://www.scmilkyway.com. We have been using L.D. Peeler's milk for 4-5 years and love it.
Ali W says
I have recently been treated for chronic migraines and the first thing the doctor said, after drink LOTS of water, was cut nitrates from your diet. Come to find out, nitrates are in EVERYTHING! Mostly processed meats. It's crazy to find out what we are putting in our bodies and our kids bodies without even thinking about it! After 3 months of drinking 80-100 ounces of water a day and cutting out most process foods I have my migraines mostly under control and on half the dose of meds that are usually recommended. So happy to find your website!
Ali Protin says
Good write-up. Thank you for sharing the information. I was certainly not aware of your website, but will return again much more frequently at this point. Adding you to my RSS reader.
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Amber says
Completely agree that is great to go back to the real food. I was shocked when I looked at the ingredients of some of the really simple foods in the store, some of them have a 10 rows with listed ingredients even though when made in home the same foods will contain for example 3. I am also amazed how the food producers do not think of people’s health.
Anastasia says
I am so glad I found your wonderful blog! I am posting a link to it on my healthy mama on facebook group!
Anastasia says
I am so glad I found your wonderful blog! I m posting a link to it on my healthy mama on facebook group!
Ray Kersey says
Hello,
I just saw this article on Yahoo about 5 things that contribute to a stroke. Most of this stuff is exactly what you have stated that should not be ingested: http://health.yahoo.net/caring/5-foods-that-can-trigger-a-stroke
Hope this helps in getting the good news about what to eat.
100 Days of Real Food says
Interesting...thanks for sharing!
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Wendy says
What is the best chesse? or alternatice? I have little kiddos and they LOVE cheese...if they want mac and cheese I make it from scratch, including the noodles, but cheddar cheese is so highly processed itself...what should we be buying? Thanks
100 Days of Real Food says
Most cheeses are actually okay if they are a block (not pre-shredded) and not colored (most cheese is supposed to be white). We also buy organic when we can.
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