A "no processed food" diet?

So I have been toying with the idea of a generally no processed food diet for a while. But after having basically a yucky food hangover this morning I'm even more keen on the idea.

Has anyone else ever done this? I'm not going to commit to something long term because I don't want to quite half way through or something but just commit to about a weeks time minus thanksgiving.

Fruits, veggies, and meats but like no canned or processed anything.. no cheese even. Butter might happen.. but nothing too severe.

Anyway... I'm wondering what kind of outcome I can expect? If anyone would like to try this with me? What the worst and best parts might be?

Not even sure if this is a good idea or not lol

You could easily shake up your own butter from heavy cream-- no colors, salts, etc. I am not sure how long it keeps, though.

I think it is a great idea! I think it will take some getting used to, and I personally could never give up my overprocessed soy bacon and veggie burgers, but cheers to you!

I am cooking healthy eating smaller portions and loosing weight
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I've been doing something very similar, and I highly recommend it. I lose weight much easier when i am eating whole, unprocessed, natural foods. I feel better, I don't have to eat as much because those foods are naturally more filling. I do still have processed stuff from time to time, such as soup, but I generally stay away from cheese except for on homemade pizza, and then in small amounts. I actually really LIKE eating this way, and I actually intend on eating this way forever I do try to be reasonable, there are days when its easier said than done, but as a general rule, I do keep my eating as "clean" as possible. Definitely give it a try!!

There is a great website called 100 days of real food, google it. She does challenges on 10 day with no processed foods and doing a low budget challenge. She has some awesome recipes on there that my family loves.

I will check this out!thanks for sharing

I haven´t had process food in about 3 months and really feel great. I don´t really count cheese as processed so maybe I´m not totally on board. I live in South America and hit the open market for all my fruits, vegetables, meats and such. Typical day for me are eggs, cheese, bright colored vegetables, apples and strawberries only as fruit, meat, chicken, fish, pork, nuts, good oils, beans and lots of water. I do eat some whole grain bread and every now and then whole wheat pasta. I really like this food pyrimad that I try to follow.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://0.tqn.com/d/lowcarbdiets/1/0/V/2/-/-/lowcarbpyramid1.IG.jpg&imgrefurl=http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/whattoeat/ig/Low-Carb-Food-Pyramid/lowcarbpyramid1-IG.htm&h=750&w=784&sz=77&tbnid=hXyJXKbmcw_YyM:&tbnh=81&tbnw=85&zoom=1&docid=H5cTTPlgkG5k1M&hl=en&sa=X&ei=yinITuCsAdDtgge4--VH&sqi=2&ved=0CEgQ9QEwBA&dur=2194

Go for it and good luck!

I'd be interested in trying this, but some times it can be so easy to just grab a can of soup or something. i know, i know, no excuse, right? i'm gonna do some reading on this and see if i can find some decent meal plans.

I've essentially been doing this for over five years, with the exception of canned beans and the occasional wine.

This is incredible hard to do in the U.S. I lived in Chile for 3 months in 2010, and for the most part only ate what my host mother made. No processed foods whatsoever - she had never even tasted peanut butter. The results? I lost 20 lbs in 3 months and was healthier than ever. Zero bad side-effects.

It's not as hard as you might think. I generally only shop the outside of the grocery store and avoid the aisles that contain processed foods. It's definitely been good for me!!

I have been trying this. What I can say about it is:

1. Baby steps. When you run out of something that is overly processed, replace it with something less processed, whole, or natural. Don't try to replace everything in your kitchen all at once - it's way too overwhelming! Plus, there will be some stuff you just don't like. You'll need to find what works for you. What you are willing to do, give up or gain, and spend more time preparing. No processed foods can equal more time in the kitchen, but you can find ways to manage that.

2. READ everything on the topic. You don't have to agree with it all. Apply what you believe and can handle to your lifestyle.

3. READ all lables. My friends tell me try to get less than 10-5 ingredients on the ingredients list.

4. Eating Cleaning magazine.

5. Freezer cooking.

You will probably get an OVERLOAD of information, but like I said BABY steps. I'm still trying to get the hang of it myself I figure as long as I'm progressing then I'm getting somewhere. I also feel better and fuller longer.

hmm I guess I don't see how cheese and butter are "processed foods"? As long as it's not Kraft fat free with 100 ingredients. Real cheese is good and nutritious, and nothing's wrong with a little butter.
I generally shop around the outside of the supermarket, this is the best way to stay processed free..

This is incredible hard to do in the U.S. I lived in Chile for 3 months in 2010, and for the most part only ate what my host mother made. No processed foods whatsoever - she had never even tasted peanut butter. The results? I lost 20 lbs in 3 months and was healthier than ever. Zero bad side-effects.

It's not as hard as you might think. I generally only shop the outside of the grocery store and avoid the aisles that contain processed foods. It's definitely been good for me!!

It is doable for sure and much easier if you educate yourself about what to look for. It is still tricky though because to the untrained eye many things that seem good aren't. In Chile it was much easier for me because those things weren't even sold in most stores.

This is incredibly hard to do in the U.S. I lived in Chile for 3 months in 2010, and for the most part only ate what my host mother made. No processed foods whatsoever - she had never even tasted peanut butter. The results? I lost 20 lbs in 3 months and was healthier than ever. Zero bad side-effects.

Peanut butter's actually very easy to make, assuming you have access to peanuts and something to grind them up with.

There is a great website called 100 days of real food, google it. She does challenges on 10 day with no processed foods and doing a low budget challenge. She has some awesome recipes on there that my family loves.

I agree, great website and lots of info!!!