Below are some helpful resources and meal ideas that don’t break the rules. Also, it is important to know when serving yourself “real food” you don’t need to eat as much as you would of the processed stuff! Get ready to fill up fast.
Our Free “Real Food” Meal Plans
Meal planning is KEY to cutting out processed food. Our plans below include breakfast, lunch, and dinner suggestions for a family of four plus corresponding grocery lists with pricing:
- “Real Food” Meal Plans 1 & 2
- “Real Food” Meal Plan 3
- Summer “Real Food” Meal Plan 4
- Fall “Real Food” Meal Plan 5
Low-Cost Meal Plan Subscriptions
While the plans we developed above are great resources, we don’t crank them out on a regular basis! Here are a variety of good options from some of our affiliate partners that will keep your menu fresh week after week. Note some may require slight tweaks to follow our rules, but all of these meal plans provide a solid foundation.
- PrePear – An app with both a free and paid plan where you can create customized meal plans.
- Fresh 20 – Meal plans based on 20 fresh, local and (when possible) organic ingredients.
- Plan to Eat – Weekly meal planning, recipe sharing, and shopping list all in one; create and share your own recipes within and add them to your planner.
- MOMables – Healthy school lunch ideas and family plans including Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free, and Nut-Free in addition to the Classic.
- Super Healthy Kids – Kid-friendly meal plans that include 4 meals for each day, recipes, and instructions at your fingertips. 3, 6 or 12 month membership options.
- Prep Dish – Looking for Paleo and gluten-free meals? Look no further! Prep Dish is a tried-and-true source. Free 2 week trial.
- SmoothieBox – Get pre-portioned smoothies delivered right to your door. No sugar added, and collagen boosters included, this is a great way to up your fruit & veggie intake easily! Save $25 on your first box.
Breakfast
- Homemade granola cereal (pictured) with milk and berries
- Scrambled or fried eggs with whole-wheat toast1, butter, jelly2, and fresh fruit
- Whole-wheat banana (or berry) pancakes topped with 100% pure maple syrup
- Plain oatmeal (follow directions on package) topped with a dash of honey, cinnamon and raisins or other dried fruit
- Pecan maple breakfast cookies with a hard boiled egg and a banana
- Whole-wheat crepes with a side of fresh fruit and a maple mocha
- Store-bought plain Shredded Wheat cereal with milk and fruit
- Whole-wheat muffins (pictured above) with a side of plain yogurt mixed with berry sauce and topped with homemade granola cereal
- Egg omelet, bacon from the farmer’s market, whole-wheat popovers with butter and jelly2, and fresh fruit
- Whole-wheat banana bread or whole-wheat cinnamon raisin bread topped with cream cheese and a fruit smoothie or on the side
- PB&J smoothie (pictured in smoothie pop holders) and whole-wheat biscuit
- Whole wheat German oven pancake with 100% Maple Syrup and a side of mixed seasonal fruit
- Millet porridge with diced apples, raisins, and almonds
- Buckwheat pancakes with sliced bananas and blueberries on top, and a pumpkin spice mocha
- Chevre and chive scramble served with a pumpkin whole-spelt muffin and fresh strawberries
- Filled pancakes (A.K.A Whole Wheat Ebelskivers) with mango and apple slices
- Whole-wheat waffles with applesauce
- Try any of our smoothies, like the PB&J smoothie
- Fried matzo breakfast with a seasonal fruit kabob
- Whole-wheat French toast with a fruit smoothie
- Breakfast casserole bites with fresh fruit on the side
- Whole-wheat toaster pastries (aka Pop Tarts) with scrambled eggs and side of yogurt with fresh berries and peaches
- Whole spelt lemon cottage cheese pancakes with a side of blueberries and farmers market bacon
- Tomato pie, with a side of scrambled or fried eggs
Lunch
- Peanut butter and jelly2 on whole-wheat bread1, sliced fresh fruit, and crackers3
- Whole-wheat tortilla filled with hummus, cheese and optional veggie (spinach, cucumber, carrot, lettuce or tomato), side of fresh fruit and store-bought whole-wheat pretzels4
- Grilled cheese on whole-wheat bread1, applesauce, and popcorn
- Caprese salad with basil pesto or grilled caprese salad sandwich
- Whole-wheat macaroni and cheese with frozen peas mixed in and a side of fresh fruit
- Curry chicken salad on whole-wheat bread, with a sliced apple
- Fruit smoothie or PB&J smoothie (pictured above)
- Whole-wheat tortilla filled with chopped cucumber, tomato, feta cheese and sprinkled with dried dill or leftover grilled veggies and goat cheese
- Whole-wheat cinnamon raisin bread and cream cheese sandwich, strawberries, and a hard-boiled egg
- Roasted pumpkin seed and currant salad and easy-cheesy crackers
- A sandwich inspiration creation
- Green eggs and ham with a whole wheat biscuit
- Potato pancakes (with vegetables) served warm or cold over a bed of spinach with goat cheese and vinaigrette dressing.
- Crackers3 with hummus, grapes, cheese, and celery or carrots
- A big salad topped with nuts, cheese and olive oil/balsamic vinegar for dressing (pictured)
- Grilled pimento cheese sandwich with whole-wheat pasta salad and fresh fruit on the side
- Diced avocado and brown rice with a little bit of low-sodium soy sauce
- Whole-wheat waffle sandwich with cream cheese, cinnamon and raisins in the middle (pictured) with a side of seasonal fruit
- Berry good wrap with a side of sliced cucumber and an orange
- Egg soufflé with ham and a side of arugula salad with shaved Parmesan (perfect for brunch)
- Brie and apple sandwich with leftover turkey and a side of grapes
- Feta pasta salad with avocado and tomato
- Whole-wheat tortilla filled with easy slow cooker refried beans, melted Monterrey Jack cheese, and sour cream with a side of avocado
- Greek Yogurt Egg Salad with a turkey-and-cheese kabob and bell pepper slices
- Leftovers from any of the dinners below!
For portable school, picnic or work lunch ideas check out the posts in the “school lunches” category.
Snacks and Appetizers
- Whole-wheat banana bread
- Dried fruit (make sure there is no added sugar) and nuts
- Fresh fruit (make them into kabobs for kids)
- Popcorn
- Pumpkin or sunflower seeds
- Homemade granola bars or a homemade Larabar when you’re on the go
- Olives, crackers3, and cheese
- Bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers
- Pesto cream cheese bake with a whole grain cracker (like Ak-Mak)
- Whole-wheat muffins
- Potato pancakes (with vegetables) with sour cream on the side
- Celery topped with peanut butter or cream cheese and raisins (ants on a log)
- Peanut butter, banana and date pita Pocket Sandwich
- Hard-boiled egg
- Whole-wheat cinnamon raisin bread
- Plain yogurt mixed with berry sauce
- Pecan maple breakfast cookies
- Crackers3 topped with hummus
- Bacon-wrapped dates
- Whole Wheat Cheddar Garlic Drop Biscuits
- Ranch flavored dip with celery and carrot sticks
- Slow cooker refried beans with green tomato relish, topped with melted cheese and sour cream
- Powerballs
- Buttermilk cheese biscuit
- Whole-wheat zucchini bread or muffins (pictured)
- Whole-wheat pumpkin bread or muffins
- Pumpkin spelt muffins
- Easy cheesy crackers
- Whole-wheat popovers
- Virgin pina colada smoothie
- Curry chicken salad on Ak Mak Crackers
- Sliced raw veggies with a tzatziki dipping sauce
- Peanut butter banana smoothie
- Zucchini chips
- Rainbow fruit and veggie platters
Read more on snacks by clicking on the “snack for kids (and adults!)” category.
Salads and Soups
- Caprese salad with basil pesto
- Salad with a twist (including glazed nuts)
- Tomato, corn and black bean salad
- Cobb salad with blue cheese dressing
- Lime-cilantro quinoa salad
- White gazpacho (cold soup)
- Tomato bisque (good with grilled cheese on whole wheat bread1)
- Taco salad (pictured)
- Peanut squash soup
- Tortilla soup (good with cheese quesadillas)
- Butternut squash soup with buttered whole-wheat toast on the side
- Easy split pea soup topped with chopped bacon and a side of whole-wheat biscuits
- Homemade chicken noodle soup (pictured)
- Whole-wheat pasta salad
- Quinoa salad with diced cucumber and red bell pepper
- Salad inspiration
- Asian coleslaw with Radish MiniSticks
Dinner
- Farmer’s market stir fry (with veggies and/or seafood or local meat)
- Quiche with a whole-wheat crust (if using meat make sure it is local) and a side of veggies
- Pre-made store-bought dinner option: sushi with brown rice (no deep fried ingredients or sugar/HFCS)
- Whole-wheat pizza (pictured) with a salad or veggies on the side
- Whole-wheat macaroni and cheese with a side of veggies
- Grilled or sauteed fish with vegetable pancakes, and potato skins
- Breakfast for dinner…pick from one of the egg choices above
- Homemade chicken nuggets with a side of sweet potatoes and apples
- Vegetable and/or local meat (such as chicken, sausage or beef) kabobs over brown rice
- Fajitas, or slow cooker flank steak fajitas with homemade whole-wheat tortillas
- Homemade spaghetti sauce over store-bought whole-wheat pasta
- Collard greens, potatoes, and whole-wheat buttermilk cheese biscuits
- Veggie burgers and kale chips
- BLT with (or without) crabmeat and corn on the cob
- Homemade butternut squash ravioli with roasted asparagus
- Chicken enchiladas made with homemade whole-grain corn tortillas and steamed veggies on the side
- Jambalaya with brown rice
- The best whole chicken in a crock pot with zucchini chips (pictured) and wild rice
- Homemade sushi with brown rice
- Almond encrusted fish with an easy beurre blanc sauce and a side of asparagus and baked potatoes
- Whole-wheat spaghetti and meatballs with a side of roasted broccoli (sprinkled with whole-wheat bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning)
- Vegetable quesadillas on whole-wheat tortillas with a side of easy slow cooker refried beans
- Pork carnitas tacos with tomatillo salsa (pictured) and a side of watermelon
- Green curry shrimp served over brown rice and topped with steamed sugar snap peas
- Whole-wheat pizza pockets with sauteed seasonal vegetables on the side
- Get some salad inspiration, like mixed greens, grilled chicken, sliced strawberries, sliced almonds, crumbled blue cheese, and thinly sliced red onion with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, served with a whole wheat cheddar garlic drop biscuit on the side
- Chicken marsala pasta and fresh asparagus
- Brown rice risotto with almost any veggies or seafood or meat that’s on hand
- Grilled chicken breast with chimichurri spelt pasta and a side of sliced summer tomato.
- Enchilada casserole with a side of diced avocado and tomato salad, finished with lime and fresh cilantro
- Easy fried rice with fresh ginger and mixed chopped frozen veggies
- Roasted chicken with sweet potato casserole or chestnut and prosciutto bread stuffing, and sautéed green beans with sliced almonds
- Moroccan fish with mango and whole-wheat couscous
- Prosciutto-wrapped scallops over whole-grain polenta on a bed of arugula
- Coconut chicken satay served with peanut thai pasta
- Roasted summer vegetable pasta, made with fresh eggplant, zucchini, and Roma tomatoes, served with a side salad.
- Seafood (or turkey, or veggie) gumbo with a side of whole-grain cornbread
- Grilled local, organic beef hamburgers with a side of slow cooker baked beans and corn on the cob
- The best whole chicken in a crock pot with creamy whole-wheat mac and cheese and sautéed broccoli
- Grilled teriyaki pork tenderloin with brown rice and sautéed peppers and snap peas
- Whole-wheat fettucini alfredo topped with sauteed onions, mushrooms and bell peppers
- Grilled meat and veggie Foil Packets, perfect for camping or grilling out
- Tomato pie with corn and a whole-wheat crust, served with broccoli or a hearty side salad
- Grilled organic grass-fed hotdogs on a whole wheat bun, served with Asian coleslaw and apple slices
- Simple spaghetti with a salad on the side
- Whole Oven Roasted Chicken with parmesan couscous and sautéed zucchini and baby squash
- Chicken and Cheese Tostadas with avocado and cilantro and a side of fresh summer watermelon
For a cookout, backyard BBQ, outdoor party, picnic, or camping trip check out this post: A “Real Food” Cookout.
Basic Recipes
- Whole-wheat tortillas
- Whole-grain corn tortillas
- Chicken stock in the crock pot
- Chicken stock on the stovetop
- Honey whole-wheat sandwich bread (for bread machine)
- Whole-wheat breadcrumbs
- Whole-wheat pasta (use the pasta portion of this ravioli recipe)
- Homemade berry sauce
- Easy cheesy whole-grain crackers
- Basic fruit smoothie
- Whole-wheat biscuits
- Strawberry honey jam
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Blue cheese salad dressing
- Simple mustard vinaigrette
Dessert
- Homemade popsicles, ice pops, snow cones and push-ups (pictured)
- Powerballs
- Maple pecan ice cream
- Chocolate torte with whipped cream and chocolate sauce
- Banana ice cream
- Homemade peach sorbet
- Whole-wheat crepes filled with fruit and topped with chocolate sauce
- Chocolate mousse
- Brownies
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Chocolate cake with easy whipped cream frosting
- Chocolate pecan pie
- Fruit crisp
- Whole-wheat holiday cookies
- Strawberry ice cream Sunday with a strawberry honey jam drizzle and walnuts
- Banana, date and vanilla smoothie
- Whole-wheat cookie cake
- Whole-grain mini donuts
- Cinnamon glazed popcorn
- Whole-wheat German oven pancake topped with homemade ice cream
- Yellow cupcakes with homemade frosting
- Watermelon cake
- Fudge pops
- Homemade fruit roll-ups
Stocking a Real Food Kitchen
- My favorite kitchen essentials (including appliances and gadgets we own)
- 21 “Real food” essentials for freezer, pantry, & fridge
- Supermarket “real food” cheat sheet
- Where to buy real food
- Grocery shopping template (+ my routine)
- Our pantry
- Our refrigerator
- Our freezer
Restaurant Options
Eating out tip: Most restaurants do not offer 100% whole-wheat (a lot of “wheat breads” are made with both whole-wheat and white flours) so it is best to just avoid things like bread, breading/breadcrumbs, crusts, flour tortillas, etc. It is also recommended to ask questions when it comes to sauces because a surprising amount contain sugar. It can be difficult to avoid refined grains and sweeteners when eating out so we usually try to focus on finding restaurants that serve locally grown/raised products. For more tips including specific meals you could order at some chain restaurants check out this post.
- Fish or shellfish
- Potatoes, beans, or brown rice
- Vegetable side dishes or combination plates
- Egg dishes
- Sushi with brown rice
Read more on the specific restaurants where we like to eat in Charlotte.
General Resources and Information
- Understanding Grains (corn, wheat, multi-grain, etc.)
- What (should be) in your sandwich bread?
- How far does your produce travel?
- Buying organic or not
- Sweeteners 101
- “You are what you eat eats too”
- Milk – good or bad?
- High-fructose corn syrup 101
- The deal with corn
- Are you being fooled by the imitation?
- Becoming a “flexitarian” (meat consumption)
- (Not) Cleaning your plate
Posts Detailing our Personal Changes in Health
- Shocking Blood Test Results
- Budget Day 100: Victory!
- Day 56: A Brave Friend and Health Benefits Update
- Day 47: Health Benefits
- A change in diet could be your cure for constipation
Notes
1. I found “approved” sandwich bread at a bakery chain called Great Harvest. Their honey whole-wheat loaf only has 5 ingredients. You could also make your own with our honey whole-wheat bread recipe.
2. For jelly use a whole “fruit spread” variety with no sugar.
3. Ak Mak crackers are 100% whole-grain.
4. There are some 100% whole-wheat sprouted grain pretzels called “Splits” by Unique brand.
Kind of confused here. To me no processed food would mean no tacos (processsed ) nor mac n cheese (incredibly stodgy) …. But then again I’m Irish. A true non processed list would be invariably healthier!
Hi Orla. These are recipes for homemade dishes. Not processed products out of a box. ~Amy
Hi Lisa,
I just came across your website and it is a gold mine for me! I almost had the same awakening except it was when I watch the documentary ” the weigh of the nation”. The 4 movies are very educatives. A must watch.
Me and my family have always been on the greener side, but now I really pay attention on what is in my plate. Coming from France, we don’t eat out as much. My mom used to cook from scratch every meal and I do the same. When I go shopping, I don’t have much in my caddy. Everything is to be made, not already processed.
And I love it!
I’m on a war against chemical too, it will be another chapter. :)
Congrat on your website, you did a good job! I know that you inspire others.
Marielle
Do you have any options that are gluten and/or dairy free?
Hi Jana. These posts, which include gluten and dairy free recipes, might be helpful: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/08/31/food-allergies-dairy/ and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/06/28/food-allergies/. Outside of these, we have not generally modified our recipes to exclude gluten or dairy. You are welcome to make exchanges that work for you. ~Amy
All the whole wheat in these meals is pretty shocking, considering that wheat, in and of itself, is not a “clean” food.
I noticed that too…. I sense an addiction here.
Hi Karen. Lisa has a cookbook due to come out in January. :) ~Amy
Do you have a cookbook made with these recipes? I want to print a lot of them out but I figured buying a cookbook would be much quicker.
Thanks!
Karin
How do you keep the apple and pb sandwiches from browning in the lunch box all day?
Hi Kris. Lisa uses lemon to keep the apples from browning. Another reader suggested soaking them in pineapple juice.. ~Amy
I’m surprised at the store bought whole wheat pretzels as an option… isn’t that processed food? Most likely to contain GMO as well.
Hi Kari. Lisa buys 100% whole wheat pretzels occasionally from Trader Joes for their convenience. Their private label items are not sourced from GMOs. We don’t strive for perfection and feel that a few carefully selected convenience staples are okay. :) ~Amy
This is such a wonderfully comprehensive list! After struggling with my health for several years, I know try to eat as cleanly as absolutely possible.
I would recommend this guide helped me http://tnij.org/xrxh
I cannot thank you enough for this awesome website!!! I’ve always been fairly “healthy” (don’t eat fast food, etc), but I am trying to move to more real food, esp bc my son has mild autism and it is important to me he have as little fake foods as possible. PLEASE keep your website practical, as we moms just don’t have a lot of extra time or money, and we want to make the changes that matter. Also, I’m learning to cook on my own, so keeping it simple helps me so much! Thx soooo much for the quick links, and your attention to taste and budget, and of course health!! Don’t go away or charge for your website, or I’ll cry! :)
Hi. Had a question about meatloaf. I forgot about meatloaf in the oven, and guess what;it came out bone dry. Is there any way to salvage 3lbs of meat? Feel awful to just dump it. Any ideas are gladly appreciated.
Hi Meta. Sorry about your loaf. We often can’t answer questions in real time. Did you come up with a solution? ~Amy
I just love this post and enjoyed a lot reading it.
Worthy post…..thanks for providing lots of real tasty resources here. My wife also run a food blog and surely she gonna love this list :-)
What a wonderful resource! Thank you for putting together this website and especially this page! We are new to Real Foods but are jumping in 100%. My hubby and kids are on board with me and after a full week, we are all very happy, satisfied and feel great! The Hubby, just tonight, said he wants to try for a whole month (this is after he fussed last week about giving up his processed snacks!). My daughter reads labels with me in the grocery store and helps to decide what we will buy. I am still working on the youngest son who still wants his dark carbonated drinks but he is coming around slowly.
I will be a frequent visitor to this page! Thank you!!!
Hi Stephanie. Regarding carbonated drinks, a little sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice goes a long way to satisfy former soda drinkers! :) ~Amy
Well i am working in a software company but my dream is just i want to open one coffee restro and for kids ice corner and play room where they feel happy and enjoy there but when i’ll full fill this dream i don’t know but i have planned after 5-6 year for sure i’ll take any responsible work and open the restro.
Maybe this is a silly question but would you ever use a bread made with more than 5 ingredients? I have a local bakery with many wonderful breads made from whole ingredients. It is usually because there are additional grains such as millet or cracked wheat or flavorings such as nuts, dried fruit, or spices.
I have question? we drink a LOT of sweet tea with white sugar. what should we drink? i know this may be a stupid question but its the one thing i cant get us off of. how can i flavor water with out added sweeteners? Thanks so much
Hi Leslie. Having recently moved to North Carolina (I grew up in the Midwest.), I’ve really been stuck by people’s overwhelming love of sweet tea! :) It can be a tough one to let go of. But, it is so important to cut back on that sugar. My suggestion is iced tea with lemon sweetened with a bit of honey. Yum. Also, my family completely gave up all soda a few years back by drinking sparkling water with a splash of 100% fruit juice. Sometimes it was pineapple, sometimes cranberry, and sometimes orange. It worked like a charm and is still a staple in our home. Hope that helps a little. ~Amy
Thank you for the fast replay! these are good ideas what about that agave nectar could i use that? i am still learning on what is good to put in our bodys. :)
Hi again. We don’t use agave and here is some information on why: http://www.foodrenegade.com/agave-nectar-good-or-bad/. We try to stick with honey and maple syrup as much as possible and greatly limit consumption of sweet drinks. ~Amy
Thank you Amy sorry for all the post i am just trying to find out what is right! thanks again so much for helping me out!!
Not a problem. That’s what I’m here for. :) ~Amy
Isn’t Lisa working on a cookbook? If so, what’s the name & when can we start purchasing? Thanks so much for all of the great recipes!
Hi Stephanie. The book should be out in January. We will keep everyone informed as the date draws more near. Here is a post with more details: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/10/26/behind-the-scenes-my-upcoming-cookbook/. ~Amy
WHAT IF WE ARE ALLERGIC TO GLUTEN OR LACTOSE INTOLERANT? DO YOU HAVE ANY RECIPES THAT ARE GLUTEN AND/OR LACTOSE FREE?
Hi Dawn. You will find these posts helpful: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/08/31/food-allergies-dairy/ and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/06/28/food-allergies/. You are also welcome to adapt any recipe to work for your needs. I often replace milk with almond milk or coconut milk as well as play around with various gluten free grains in recipes. Also, Deliciously Organic is full of gluten and grain free options: http://deliciouslyorganic.net/. Hope those help. ~Amy
Hi Ashley. You can if you make it yourself. I’ve yet to find a store bought brand that is not full of artificial ingredients which does not fall within the rules: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/real-food-defined-a-k-a-the-rules/. If any readers have found one with only real ingredients, let us know! Making your own is pretty simple: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/08/31/food-allergies-dairy/almond-milk/. Good luck. ~Amy
Can you use almond milk with the 100 day challenge?
Thank you for being brave enough to do this, most people think I am crazy for wanting to eat this way and feed my family this way. *it doesn’t feel normal to NOT eat fast food anymore*
This encourages me and affirms that I am doing the right thing. Thank you.
I am in search of healthy party food ideas for a toddler’s birthday party that doesn’t involve buying pizza, please help! thank you!
We serve hummus and veggies, raw cheese, and if an actual meal is required – chili is really easy to make from scratch, and most people like it – even the non healthy eaters. I also make a quinoa salad that everyone loves. (you can google a recipe with ingredients of quinoa, green onion, cranberries, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, walnuts) Anyway, when I was researching healthy recipes for cake – it finally occurred to me – WHO SAYS I HAVE TO HAVE CAKE??? So, now it is a tradition to make fancy watermelon sculptures and fill them with a variety of fruits. A HUGE hit with my kids!! If you don’t want to make a sculpture out of watermelon, you could make pictures out of fruit. Hope this helped!
I LOVE cooking with real food. This makes it even easier. Thank you!
wow..wayyy too much wheat. wheat is an inflammatory and shouldn’t be a staple of your diet.
So, I may have missed it somewhere, but I’m trying to look on how to substitute cornstarch in a recipe. I read online about using all-purpose flour, etc. But I didn’t know if using whole wheat was different. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Hi Aarica. I use the white whole wheat flour in place of cornstarch and have also used arrowroot powder. Both work well. ~Amy
this is a nice blog about food. I like it.
Fabulous website and philosophy! I think people who are worried about eating GMO’s may already be following some of your guidelines. My husband and I have been avoiding GMO’s for months now and we have found ourselves eating more and more whole foods and unprocessed foods. The blog I recently started (http://gmohater.blog.com/) gives advice and a guide of foods/brands that don’t contain GMO’s, and the Non GMO project has an even more extensive list (http://www.nongmoproject.org/). Most of the brands they have verified follow your guidelines of being natural, fresh, and often organic, and yes they even list whole wheat products! I hope this information can help some of the above commenters:)
Hello – contgratulations on this much needed website.
I have been doing my best to weed out food items from my cupboard that have sugar, glucose, dyes, hydrogenated veggie oil and other things I can’t pronounce.
I noticed Peanut Butter in one your recipes – I examined the Healthy Solutions Peanture Butter from Pcorn resident’s Choice products (I live in Toronto, Canada) and it is is full of dydrogenation veggie oil, corn dextrose, trans-fats…..1 mg. sugar, so I was surprised to see this on your list.
Challenges at my house are my husband – he loves pasta, cookies and cakes, so I try to bake healthy muffins or buy healthy granola bars. Do you know which is the healthiest granola type bar out there…..is is Kashi perhaps ?
Anyway, keep up the great info and best of luck with everything cheers – adrianna solman
Hi Adrianna. Glad you like the blog. Regarding peanut butter, you should look for an organic version with nothing but peanuts and maybe salt on the ingredient list. If you need it sweetened a bit, a little honey goes a long way. As for granola/granola bars, the fewer items on the ingredient list the better. They are also really easy to make at home. Here are a couple recipes that might help: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/04/recipe-granola-bars-cereal/ and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/07/01/recipe-homemade-larabars-4-ways-including-nut-free/. :) Amy
I am just beginning to eat clean and I’m going to start with your ideas.. I want to do this right though and I’m reading alot of bad about wheat, What can I replace the wheat with that is un-processed.
Hi Josh. Consider barley, spelt, and oat flours: http://www.thekitchn.com/beyond-whole-wheat-flour-3-delicious-whole-grain-flours-you-should-try-now-170266. Here is an additional post on grains: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/07/29/understanding-grains-corn-wheat-multi-grain-etc/ and look for an upcoming 100 Days post on wheat. Hope that is helpful. ~Amy
I am gluten free and mostly dairy free,I guess I could apply these recipes for that lifestyle.
I’m going to start the 10 day challenge this Friday, so I was looking over the meal plans to plan my grocery trip, and I noticed that some recipes included Mayo, which I was surprised at, since the store bought stuff is heavily processed and it has sugar. Is there a certain brand of mayo that you buy? I actually intended to make my own for the challenge, but if I can buy some, that would save me time.
Thanks!
Hi Wendy. This post will guide you on your mayo question: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/04/17/real-food-condiments-do-they-exist/. ~Amy
Wow! Your blog is wonderful. I am converting to a healthier lifestyle and the information on this site is just what I need to get organized. Thank you.
Hi, I was so excited when I saw a pin of your site on Pinterest. Just bummed when I saw all the wheat. I have completely removed all products containing GMO’s from my house and wheat is a big one. You should check it out on my Pinterest board. I have lots of info about GMO’S. but good work on getting together such a fab website. You really put in an awesome amount of effort.
These recipes are great! I urge you to replace the wheat with another grain. Wheat is extremely processed-even whole wheat. It has been genetically altered to be mass produced, with no bother to test its effects on humans.
Jackie, you might as well cut all food out of your diet. There is nothing grown or raised that has not been genetically modified. Oh, excuse me, you could let your lawn go to seed and harvest that for flour. Or maybe go find some cheat grass.
There are plenty of food options that are non-GMO, believe it or not. Buy local, buy organic, don’t be so ignorant.
I have added this to my favourites – what a great resource! Your hard work is appreciated. Thank you for sharing.
I was so excited about your weekly meal plans only to be crestfallen when I realized it was all on Facebook. Is there any way to access your meal plans/shopping lists without Facebook? Our family does not use FB.
Wow!!
Great ideas, but remember wheat is a processed food!!!