I started my transition to a whole foods diet in September 2021! It is hard to believe it has been over 2 years now of eating this way, but it is the best decision I have made for my overall health. It has changed my life drastically. I have been able to easily lose fat, gain muscle, and reduce a lot of inflammation. Additionally, I feel I have more energy, clearer skin, and just an overall sense of well-being that I did not have when I relied more heavily on store bought meals. Convenience is not always better, especially if it costs you your health!
What are whole foods?
When I am referring to 'whole foods', I am talking about items that have not been processed to have anything added or taken away but are just eaten in their original form. Whole foods do not need to have a nutrition label because they are only 1 ingredient. Whole foods may be minimally processed. Some examples of my favorite whole foods that I eat regularly include:
fruits- apples, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, plums, oranges
vegetables- carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, cucumbers, onions
nuts- walnuts, cashews, pecans, organic nut butters
seeds- pumpkin, sunflower
meats- beef, veal, turkey I always make an effort to buy organic/ grass fed if possible and support my local cattle farmer
eggs- I always make an effort to buy pasture raised
dairy- whole milk, organic cheeses, unsweetened greek yogurt
beans- black, kidney, pinto
Why did I chose to drift away from the conventional American diet?
I really began to drift away from prepackaged items in the grocery store when I started to more closely analyze the nutrition labels. The number of added sugars, toxic ingredients, chemicals, colorings, and preservatives are overwhelming. I just simply decided that those are not things I want in my body, and completely stopped buying processed foods. I did not realize just how much sugar I was eating a day until I gave it up and the cravings to want more faded. Now, If I want a dessert, I bake it myself with quality ingredients and much less sugar than if I were to buy it.
Benefits I feel I gained from eating more whole foods?
Overall sense of well being
More energy
Clearer skin
Mental clarity
Boosted immune system
Fat loss/ gain muscle
Once I started this journey, I haven't looked back. I enjoy cooking with whole foods, making delicious, nutritious meals from scratch, and feel good knowing I am not overwhelming my body with things that shouldn't be in food in the first place! Switching to this lifestyle has been very freeing and sustainable. I DON’T have to diet, I don't track calories, I just eat wholesome foods until I am full. I always prioritize my protein and healthy fats and get most of my carbs from fruits and vegetables. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START IMPROVING YOUR LIFE‼️
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