Whole Foods Are Not a “Diet”

One of the biggest misconceptions you may hear about a whole foods diet is that it is a “diet fad”. Most of us want to run away from the word “diet”, after years and years of new dietary trends piling up all over the internet. One minute we’re told we should eat tons of kale, then the next minute we’re told kale is bad for us. Everything we’re being told seems contradictory, and it feels like we just never know what is truly good for us. Trust me, I get it.

I’m going to avoid using the word “diet” when talking about whole foods for this reason: the whole foods diet is not a true “diet”. It is simply a way of eating that focuses on eating real food over processed foods. Processed foods have become increasingly popular due to their convenience factor, longer shelf life, and cheaper costs. However, the negative health effects of processed foods are now being found more and more prevalent. 

If you were to walk around your grocery store and pick up any random product off a shelf, chances are that there are added seed oils, chemical additives, or preservatives in that food. It is extremely difficult to find “untouched” foods in our brand name grocery stores. Even fresh produce will contain pesticides that are used to protect the produce from pests and maintain a longer ripening, but have negative health effects on our bodies. When we really think about it, we realize that the western diet prioritizes food maintenance over any nutritional benefits. How can our food be considered “nutritious” and “healthy”, when they are filled or covered with added chemicals and oils that are toxic to us? 

Whole foods include all foods that are unprocessed, nutrient dense, and free of added chemicals or oils. Focusing on whole foods can drastically improve your physical health and your gut, which are also directly linked to your mental health. 

Eating real foods is the single most important way to stay on top of your health. 

For example, seed oils (such as sunflower oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, corn oil, and peanut oil) are proven to cause inflammation throughout the entire body. Preservatives are known to disrupt our body’s natural hormone production. Pesticides are directly linked to chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and other neurological diseases. We can avoid these health risks by focusing on eating whole foods, and simply paying more attention to what we consume daily.

Whole foods are more nutrient dense, allowing your body to optimize the amount of nutrients it needs to function properly. They are lower in sugar, heart healthy, higher in fiber and healthy fats, help to manage blood sugar, and can improve your skin. Most whole foods also contain antioxidants, which helps to protect your body’s cells. You can find some great whole foods swaps in this post linked here, “Whole Foods Swaps”, to help you get started. 

Not to mention, your gut microbiome will thank you for consuming the prebiotics that are found in whole foods. Gut health is considered to be the center of our wellness, as it directly impacts how our body physically functions and our brain too! A happy gut is a sure sign of a happy body. 

You don’t have to break the bank when it comes to eating real foods. While processed foods are known to be cheaper in costs, you are spending less in the long run by prioritizing your health needs. You will avoid the large medical bills or doctor’s appointments down the line by focusing on what you eat now. You can also try visiting your local farmer’s market or farms for fresh produce, meat, and dairy. Buying from local farms cuts out the “middle man” costs, so you are paying the farmer a transparent retail price. 

All of this sounds great, but where can you start? I suggest that you first start with finding local farms and small businesses you can support. Check out this post, “Your Guide to Shopping Local” to help you find local produce & meat suppliers near you or available for delivery! 

Otherwise, you can start checking the ingredients on the products you find at your grocery store. You want to look for products without any seed oils or additives, and start paying more attention to the ingredients you are consuming. You can follow my “Gut Friendly Grocery Items” during your next trip to the store!