There’s an old adage which says “You are what you eat.” Chances are you’ve heard that saying but have you considered what it means? Obviously you won’t become a cheeseburger if you eat your fair share of them, but the foods you eat can and do greatly affect your emotional state, how long you’ll live and your medical condition. Choosing a diet consisting of whole foods can help provide you with the nutrients your body needs to thrive.
Doctors in the United States have been talking about how obese Americans have been becoming in the past twenty or more years. Many are beginning to stress the importance of eating whole foods along with daily exercise. They know that consuming whole foods will help us become healthier.
Doctors know the importance of whole foods and that’s why you’re hearing more about eating them in the news. Turn on daytime talk shows and you’ll see piles of fresh fruits and vegetables on the set. Listen to doctors on news programs and they’ll emphasize the importance of cutting back on processed foods including white flour and sugar. Doctors know it’s time to change our standard American diet (SAD) now before it’s too late.
Fast foods restaurants are beginning to understand the importance of eating a diet consisting of whole foods. Many have added whole food choices to their menu, in part as a means to keep you visiting their shops, but also because they are listening to what doctors and many people want. The next time you stop at a fast food restaurant take a closer look at the menu and look for wholesome food choices rather than choosing the fat-laden alternatives.
Ask any registered dietician or physician and they’ll tell you that it is important to eat more whole foods. They understand the fact that overly processed foods don’t offer the same nutrients. Adding more whole foods to your family’s meals means you’ll:
Get more omega-3 fats from fish and plants as well as monounsaturated fats from plants rather than hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats often found in processed foods.
Receive more concentrated vitamins and minerals from whole foods where you may receive ‘watered down’ amounts in foods which are processed. The quality of antioxidants, fiber and protein are also higher in whole foods.
Absorb higher amounts of fiber which can benefit your body by helping you feel full quicker than process foods, fighting diabetes and heart disease, as well as enabling your body to properly digest and expel food.
Reduce the amount of sugar, sodium saturated and trans fat as well as number of calories you consume each day.
Be careful not to get the impression that adding more whole foods to your diet will automatically and magically reverse the adverse effects of previous poor food choices. Your body has to adjust to its new way of eating and it will take a while for you to see a difference. It is possible, however, that you’ll feel better within a week or so of eating mainly whole foods and cutting out as many process foods as you can.
Once you’ve begun to reverse your eating habits, you can expect to lose weight and reduce the risk of many major medical conditions that are common in those who don’t eat a healthy diet or are overweight. You can look forward to reducing your risk or reversing hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary artery disease, heart attacks, type 2 Diabetes, gallstones, strokes, gout and osteoarthritis. There is also considerable research to prove that some types of cancer – breast, endometrial, colon and prostate, for instance – can also be affected by eating more whole foods. Of course, no matter what your health condition, you’ll want to continue to listen to your doctor’s advice and follow their instructions.
Next time we will discuss “Why are Organic Foods Best?”
The above is extracted from a report, “Eat Whole Foods - For the Health of It” and offers the following disclaimer: This report is written for entertainment purposes only. The author is not, nor does she claim to be, an expert in nutrition or health. The report is written in an attempt to share knowledge based upon what was learned during research and by incorporating some of the information contained in it with her family. It is by no means intended for medical advice nor should it be followed as such.
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