If you are interested in cutting back on some of the processed foods in your diet, there is no time like the present, right? Join Vibrant Wellness Journal and Eat Drink Better as we share the joy (and simplicity!) of unprocessed foods for the whole month of October. There are millions of foods that could be considered processed (salad dressings, energy bars, boxed meals, fast food) and we are going to help you decrease the amounts of those foods in your diet and increase the amounts of whole-grains, healthy proteins, herbs, fruits and vegetables!
But how do we define processed foods? According to the Eating Rules website, the host for the OU challenge,
Unprocessed food is any food that could be made by a person with reasonable skill in a home kitchen with whole-food ingredients.
Heather at EDB uses bread as an example. At home, bread is made from flour, water, and yeast, but at the factory it’s made with any number of chemical additives, preservatives, corn syrups, conditioners, etc. which are nearly impossible to recreate in a home kitchen- so premade bread is probably out. But what can you do in its place? Homemade breads and locally made artisan breads are the best option, but check the labels of the organic brands, if you are short on time. Many of the ‘natural’ brands likely have wholesome ingredients and none of the above nasties; Ezekiel and Alvarado sprouted breads are great options (sans chemicals!).
Take the pledge today and join almost 5,000 others who’ve pledged to clean up their diets! Please check back tomorrow for a primer on unprocessed foods!
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