Food today is too complicated - all you need to do is flip around a packet of something and look at the list of ingredients to see that. Should a supermarket salad really have so many things in it? Whatever happened to simplicity? Well, that’s where whole foods come in! They are honest, healthy, simple and really good for you, but what are whole foods exactly and why are they so good?
It’s all in the name; they are as close to their natural form as possible whilst still being fit to eat and as they only undergo the
bare minimum of processing (if any).
This means that they are packed with the nutrients and taste that nature intended, with high levels of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants which keep us healthy and feeling good!
A whole lot of nutrition
So now you know what they are, but how can you actually find and get whole foods into your overall diet? The following are just a few examples, all of which can be easily bought at your local supermarket.
- Grains – Wheat, wholegrain rice, quinoa, bulgur wheat, rolled oats, faro and barley.
- Beans and legumes – lentils, kidney beans, lima beans, split peas, chick peas
- Nuts and seeds (not salted) – peanuts, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, linseeds, pumpkin seeds
- Fruits and vegetables – all of them!
Keep it real
Incorporating whole foods into your everyday diet can be a challenge. For many of us, it’s easier to go into the supermarket and grab something quick to wolf down for lunch, but with a little bit of looking around they’re actually pretty easy to find. Most supermarkets have a dedicated section for whole foods which are usually packaged in handy little portions for lunches and snacks.
Realistically, it can be difficult to completely avoid processed foods, but cutting them down can be a great place to start; for instance why not enjoy some of the healthy snacks we have here on our website!
We love all things whole and natural, so if you have any tasty whole food recipes, please get in touch and let us know! In the meantime, why not check out some of our other dietary needs articles for more tips on eating well and feeling great!