Processed foods

frozen veggies are still a better alternative than boxed/canned meals

how to cut out processed foods?

Well what unprocessed foods do you like?

look up Allrecipes.com! have a look at many different recipes according to your taste and you will see how you can cook using many different types of food,for example how to make a pizza from base to sauce to finish.I never thought I could do it and now I wouldnt think of buying one,thats just one example!best of luck!

Add more fresh fruit and veggies to your daily diet! Eat organic as much as possible. When I want a treat ie cookies, cake, I bake it myself (from scratch) that way I control what goes in it..

A good place to start is to keep in mind that you want to control everything you're eating. If someone else put something into the food you're eating, then it's out of your control. Don't let it overwhelm you and think you have to change everything today! Start slow. Pick a couple of your go-to items to swap out. Then add another item or two after you're comfortable with the original swaps. My big problem wasn't the fruits and veggies - I already bought them fresh, but I was buying a lot of canned stuff to add to my meals. Black beans, tomato sauce, etc. Soaking fresh beans is just as easy, it's just not as convenient and takes pre-planning. Tomato sauce is easy in a food processor. Stay away from microwavable meals or frozen meals as much as you can. These are so chemical heavy.

But keep in mind that switching over doesn't have to happen all at once and having to use a can of black beans once in a while isn't the end of the world. Go with low sodium and organic if you can, or frozen veggies if fresh isn't an option right this moment. And processed foods are often deceptive. Deli meat, for example, is usually loaded with stuff that's not meat. Chemical preservatives, sodium, etc.

Good luck! Even making small changes will start to make you feel better. Control as much of what is in your food as possible and you'll be fine.

A good place to start is to keep in mind that you want to control everything you're eating. If someone else put something into the food you're eating, then it's out of your control. Don't let it overwhelm you and think you have to change everything today! Start slow. Pick a couple of your go-to items to swap out. Then add another item or two after you're comfortable with the original swaps. My big problem wasn't the fruits and veggies - I already bought them fresh, but I was buying a lot of canned stuff to add to my meals. Black beans, tomato sauce, etc. Soaking fresh beans is just as easy, it's just not as convenient and takes pre-planning. Tomato sauce is easy in a food processor. Stay away from microwavable meals or frozen meals as much as you can. These are so chemical heavy.

But keep in mind that switching over doesn't have to happen all at once and having to use a can of black beans once in a while isn't the end of the world. Go with low sodium and organic if you can, or frozen veggies if fresh isn't an option right this moment. And processed foods are often deceptive. Deli meat, for example, is usually loaded with stuff that's not meat. Chemical preservatives, sodium, etc.

Good luck! Even making small changes will start to make you feel better. Control as much of what is in your food as possible and you'll be fine.

This is a great post.

I cook/eat probably 80-90 % from scratch/fresh. It takes some work, planning, prep, but once you get the hang of it, it really comes pretty easy. I don't bake my own bread (I CAN, i just DON'T because then i'll just eat bread all day), and i don't make my own peanut butter and yogurt yet (I"m sure I'll get there some day :laugh: ). I do make my own beans for the most part - soak, cook, then portion out and freeze, soups, chicken, burgers, granola bars etc.

If you need any specific help, just ask. Make a list of what you like to eat, and we'll try to help

to clarify by canning I did not mean home canning...which is fantastic. I meant Green Giant in a can.

look up Allrecipes.com! have a look at many different recipes according to your taste and you will see how you can cook using many different types of food,for example how to make a pizza from base to sauce to finish.I never thought I could do it and now I wouldnt think of buying one,thats just one example!best of luck!

How long does it take to mill your flour for your pizza?

I do love sour patch kids, just pointing out how unhelpful people are, the OP asked for non processed foods. Making your own pizza dough from a recipe still requires use of processed ingredients.

But making your own pizza (even using store bought dough) is still considered clean eating. Check out the latest book from Michael Pollan: Cooked. Plus, when you make your own pizza it's wayyyyy easier to log because you know what is going in it.

Anyone on here that says "oh don't make homemade pizza because it's using processed ingredients. This is not clean eating." need to really take a good long look in the mirror. Homemade pizza is not and will never be the same as Dominoes or Pizza Hut. Homemade is way better. Load it up with local meat and veggies an you're good to go (and local cheese). Log 2 slices (break down the ingredients to log) and wala--way less calories than takeout pizza and you made it with your own hands.

look up Allrecipes.com! have a look at many different recipes according to your taste and you will see how you can cook using many different types of food,for example how to make a pizza from base to sauce to finish.I never thought I could do it and now I wouldnt think of buying one,thats just one example!best of luck!

How long does it take to mill your flour for your pizza?

Touché

Nope. I just had linguini with canned clam sauce and chicken breast that was previously frozen. I'm pretty sure it's going to kill me.

OP: You need to learn how to cook using fresh ingredients but the "cut out" processed foods idea is way over the top. I suppose you could move to Alaska and hunt and gather for the rest of your life, or you could simply learn a bit about nutrition and avoid thinking that there's a boogeyman in every can or box.

Add in what you can where you can. You don't have to eat 100% clean - and I would never feel guilty about frozen veggies/fruit. Sometimes those can really help the wallet considering most of my local grocery stores will sell them 10 for $10. Because really - by the logic of some people on here if you aren't going to your backyard and picking it right out of your garden then you are failing. *eyeroll* Add in fruits and veggies. Always check out your local adds. If you have an Aldi's or a store along those lines hit up that place first and then go from there.

Really - take time to start loving to cook. Because that will help the most. If you have a SO of kids it's a great way to have some family fun while teaching those in your family good eating habits.

And don't be afraid to go to your local organic store. Sometimes you'll be surprised that certain things are cheaper there. Quinoa is cheapest at our fancy all organic store downtown then any other store we have here.

Good luck! Don't let it be something to stress you out, have fun, and don't expect to be 100% perfect!

look up Allrecipes.com! have a look at many different recipes according to your taste and you will see how you can cook using many different types of food,for example how to make a pizza from base to sauce to finish.I never thought I could do it and now I wouldnt think of buying one,thats just one example!best of luck!

How long does it take to mill your flour for your pizza?

Touché

Well I'll be helpful here since everyone seems to be picking on the homemade or "sort of homemade" pizza.

Buy the pre made dough at Whole Foods. Nothing bad in it. You can even get the frozen dough or the dough that's already baked (there's some local pizza companies that sell their all natural dough in the Whole Foods refrigerated section).

Grab a bunch of your favorite toppings. Leftover grilled chicken and fresh veggies works well. Measure all of your ingredients to make it easier to log (the dough is easy to log because it lists the nutrition information).

Use fresh organic cheese (from a local source if you can). Slice it up and add to the pizza.

Use a pizza stone to cook the pizza (and follow the directions that came with the dough). It's usually 400F+ for 8-10 minutes. You also have to make sure to pre-heat.

In my experience the homemade pizza--even using an all natural local dough from Whole Foods--is way less calories and no preservatives compared to other pre-made dough on the market.

It's really easy to log because you pre-measure the ingredients and just divide by 4 or 2 depending on how many slices you have.