Welcome back to your weekly dose of all things Health and Wellness! Let’s talk about the choices of foods available to us in this world for a moment. We have natural foods grown from the ground, we have foods processed in facilities, we have foods that are somewhere in the middle those two extremes. Those foods in the middle somehow claim to be “natural” - “sugar free” - “chemical free” - and so on.

We have learned how to stay away from good foods that are “too high” in sugar, carbs, etc (corn, potatoes, breads, that sort of thing) but then consume packaged foods to compensate for those good foods we cut out. But have you ever taken a deep dive look into those alternatives you are choosing? (I bet you can guess why I am asking...) 

Because this is the second most common reason for weight gain: eating foods that are all bad -and- no good.  Let me give you some examples:

• Frozen Cauliflower Wings

• Packaged Deli Meats
• Veggie Stix
• Flavored Yogurts
• Starbucks Coffee Drinks
• Diet Sodas
• And really any pre-packed foods  with these labels:

Now, don’t freak out. I know that a lot of food in this world is convenient and easy by being prepackaged, pre chopped, prepped, etc. Don’t get me wrong, there are still packaged foods that I even utilize from time to time. SO… let me first give you the reason why these aren’t as healthy as they seem, or are deemed to be, AND THEN give you some great alternatives and things to look for!

These types of labels and foods still include:

• Artificial ingredients
• Processed // hidden sugars
• Sodium
• Unhealthy fats (trans fats)

And are food with less nutritional value than (obviously) foods found in their most natural forms. So how can we increase the value of the food we eat while continuing to keep convenience as a factor?

1. Positively focus on changing your intake of foods to whole, real, single-ingredient foods whenever and where you can.
2. If you are not able to do #1, then focus on reading the ingredient list. 

1. If there are more than 5 ingredients, put it back; 
2. If there is sugar in the ingredient list of any kind aside from honey or agave, put it back; 

1. If you are not able to do either #1 or #2, focus on getting single ingredient foods that are frozen. Frozen mixed veggies, frozen meats (plain chicken (not breaded), fish, steaks, etc) and creating meals that are easy to throw together. 

1. Fun fact about frozen veggies - they are actually more nutrient dense and more fresh than the veggies in the produce isles because they are cut from the plant and immediately frozen. They do not, at any point, sit at room temperature for long periods of time before being packaged and thrown in the freezer (I always stock up on frozen veggies!) 

There you have it. Decrease the foods you have around the house that are packed with fillers and increase the foods you have around that are whole, real, single-ingredient foods. 

Have questions?? Send me a message - I am happy to help in any way that I can!