With so many food choices available, it can be difficult for one to choose foods that are healthy, and foods that shouldn’t be eaten. One way we can simplify our diets is by eating real food.
Michael Pollan, best-selling author, in his book: In Defense of Food, writes: “Don’t eat anything that your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.”
Back in the day, before convenience foods, fast foods, and processed foods, real food was in abundance. Many of our great grandparents lived off the land and had simple diets that included: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and meats. They didn’t have much, but they ate much healthier.
Now, with advancements in science and technology, we have an overabundance of foodlike products, which resemble the real thing, but are far from providing any nutritional or healthy benefit. Our supermarkets are full of foodlike products that we’re all guilty of buying, at some point: cheetos, twinkies, boxed macaroni & cheese, and other processed foods.
Yet, along with our capacity to produce foods loaded with additives, colorants, and preservatives, we’ve also managed to destroy our health at the same time.
Eating real food will simplify your diet and contribute to your overall health and well-being. Here are simple tips and strategies for eating real food:
- eat mostly vegetables and fruits
- stay away from foods loaded with additives, preservatives, and colorants (read the labels)
- cook simple meals, whenever possible
- limit visits to the supermarket and frequently visit the farmer’s market
- find healthy alternatives to “junk” food
- avoid fast food places, if possible
- don’t allow lack of time to control your diet and health (a salad can be prepared in less than 5 minutes)
- enjoy being healthy, commit to good health, and love life (we only get one chance to do it right!)
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