Eating Whole Foods

Yeah, that was an eye opening read.

I try to eat unprocessed foods as much as possible, but I'm an 'everything in moderation' type.

Yup prefer whole foods here too.

I eat mostly whole foods, although I'm ok with limited processed foods. When I do eat processed foods, I try to avoid added sugar, chemicals, preservatives, nitrites, artificial coloring or flavoring, HFCS and MSG. No fast food for me. This is what works for me..

I try to do this also but finding it harder in the winter or if I am stressed, but if I give in to temptation and eat fast food I always feel sluggish and sleepy after and less energised. I am reading "The China Study" which explains a lot about nutrition and the best forms of protein etc to eat as well as how certain types of food help the immune system whilst others fight cancer...:flowerforyou:

When I do eat processed foods, I try to avoid added sugar, chemicals, preservatives, nitrites, artificial coloring or flavoring, HFCS and MSG.

Just curious, then what's left to make it "processed"? Do you just mean multi-ingredient, not prepared in your home?

I eat clean just about every day, except on cheat night but it's still good. I buy most of my food at Trader Joe's because it is less expensive and there's a lot of good stuff there. I also like it because their products have less ingredients in them - and still cheaper than my local grocery store.

I have oatmeal for breakfast 5 days a week and then a bowl of Os on the weekend. I make spaghetti squash tomato for my lunches everyday and don't seem to tire of them. I put all fresh ingredients in and just learned that tomatoes are excellent. I buy my sauce at Trader Joe's and there's about 5 ingredients - none of them sugar.

I don't eat a whole lot of sugary products. I put agave syrup on my oatmeal for a little sweetness and I like to eat vegan sweets that I get at Whole Foods and another natural foods store. They make the yummiest blueberry bars. And Whole Foods has vegan chocolate chip cookies that have 175 calories - a lot better than the vegan scone of 470 calories!

I have basically revamped my condiments and everything. I no longer buy kraft products - but opt for organic and less ingredients.

Also, I don't drink soda, juice, or rich coffee drinks anymore. It's tea, plain coffee (with 1 cream), and water.:laugh:

I prefer to eat food that I prepare from scratch. The only exceptions I will make is canned tomatoes for Chili and stews. I just can't merit the expense, but I do try and buy the organic from the healthfood store.

I will buy prepared organic or 100% pure foods in order to maintain consistency in my diet. I feel better when I eat like this.

What is considered "whole foods"? I get the processed part, but is steak or fish considered a whole food?

We love to cook, so we end up eating mostly whole foods anyhow. I still have easy mac when I feel like it.

I really hate the "ingredients I can't pronounce" comment though. There are plenty of natural things that will kill you (amagdylan in apple seeds, hemlock, several species of mushrooms, large quantities of nutmeg, mountain lions) and plenty of natural things with names you cannot pronounce. It just seems like a really shallow way to think about food.

so I stick to this rule: if it has ingredients I can't pronounce, I won't buy it or eat it. I don't need/want chemicals in my food!

So much ignorance in living that way...

<raises hand> Me! I try to eat mostly whole foods, although I have processed foods in moderation occasionally. Probably average 80% whole (depending on your definition). Glad you are enjoying your new lifestyle!

Yes! I haven't read the book but whole foods work for me.

I have been eating "clean" for almost two years. It works for me and I love it!

Never read or heard of the book, but yes, most of my meals start out as whole foods.

I almost never eat fast food, sometimes eat processed foods (such as the Kashi steam meal I'm eating right now), don't like soda and eat processed sugary foods (cookies, cakes etc.) every now and then I mostly eat foods I prepare from scratch because I love to cook and think my food tastes awesome. I do sometimes use canned beans or tomatoes in my cooking.