When shopping for “health food” you might notice some mysterious ingredients in the foods and beverages at grocery stores and even health food stores. Many of the vitamins and so called “health food” products in stores are produced synthetically in a laboratory. Synthetic man made nutrients are not easily absorbed by the body because they are not recognized by our cells and organ systems. Have you ever known anyone who gained a noticeable benefit from taking multi vitamins or isolated vitamins of any kind? Most of what’s in those tiny, expensive capsules is simply eliminated when you go to the bathroom. All natural foods are considered to be minimally processed and do not contain artificial ingredients, isolated vitamins, minerals or chemicals. They are as close to nature as we can get these days and that is why they are important for your health. When your body is taking in the nutrients it recognizes you end up feeling more fit, energetic, and healthy.

Proponents of natural food diets argue that refined ingredients in many of the processed foods on store shelves promote obesity, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. All natural foods do not include ingredients such as refined sugars, refined flours, milled grains, hydrogenated oils, artificial sweeteners, artificial food colors, or artificial flavorings. Wikipedia claims, “Ideally, all-natural foods have not been subjected to irradiation, contain no GMO (genetically modified organisms), have not been sterilized, and do not contain animal products that have been subjected to steroids, antibiotics or drugs. The belief being, the closer to nature, the more benefit the consumer receives by eating all natural whole foods.

The term “whole food” indicates that it is in it’s natural state and does not contain parts of foods, or synthetic or isolated vitamins. Examples of whole foods include raw fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, spinach, apples, berries, pineapple, bananas, peaches, lemons, Chinese yam, coix fruit, sprouted soybeans, other legumes, nuts, asparagus root, and most food grade herbs, whole grains or plants.

One important nutrition fact to remember is that whole foods are usually in their raw state. Once they have been cooked, boiled, pasteurized or heated in any way, they may lose some of their nutrients, thus changing the whole food to a different form. It is possible to preserve nutrients from plants in their whole food form and prepare them for quick, easy consumption. However, it’s hard to find manufacturers who are willing to take the necessary steps and pay the price to prepare foods in that way.

In today’s fast paced world, not many people have time to prepare or consume enough raw fruits and vegetables to take in all the daily nutritional requirements our bodies need. Fortunately, there are some excellent all natural foods that are prepared with minimal processing and at lower temperatures for easy, convenient consumption, but you have to search the Internet to find those all natural foods that fulfill all the nutritional requirements. Those types of prepared foods make it easier to be certain you are taking in enough nutrients each day to keep your body operating at peak levels of health and fitness.

A diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes left in as natural a state as possible has many health advantages:

* Whole foods are rich in bioflavonoids and phytochemicals-powerful nutrients found in plant foods.

* Compared with processed foods, whole foods contain more complex carbohydrates, natural antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients.

* All natural whole foods are often high fiber foods with beneficial fats.

The combinations of nutrients in whole plant foods act synergistically to keep the human body functioning the way it was originally designed. So, when you are shopping for healthy foods that are easy to prepare and will give you the nutrition your body craves, check the label carefully to avoid an excess of man made synthetic ingredients. Your body will appreciate it.
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