Once upon a time, food was real. Whole foods came straight from the farms. Our great grandparents had no need to read ingredient lists on the meats and produce they purchased, because it was pure. In fact, for those living in a country setting, much of what was consumed was grown in a family garden.
Increased demands paired with the industrial revolution began a vicious cycle. At first, food processing was a marvelous way to increase profits and reduce work demands on the average housewife. Unfortunately, that processing spiraled out of control to the point that the majority of the food industry is now made up of processed goods. Somehow, we reached a point where artificial food was more prevalent than real food. It also came at a cheaper price despite promising increased profits for manufacturers.
With this rise in processed food, there has also been a rise in disease and dis-ease. Heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer are at all time highs. Studies have drawn connections between the chemicals and additives we consume and a host of unwanted physical, emotional, and behavioral problems. Consider a quote from trainer Jillian Michaels: “Obesity in children is growing out of control. A big part of this is economic. Fake foods are more affordable. It's enticing people to eat more because they think they're saving money when they're really just buying heart disease.”
This realization has sprouted a growing movement back towards whole foods. Companies banking on the trend are putting advertisements up with new miracle products, as if whole and unprocessed were a new invention. Despite this gimmick, it is good news that food is gradually becoming less altered and more real. Words like non-GMO, Organic, All-Natural, and Whole-Grain are becoming commonplace, where once these products were just considered conventional food.
If you embrace moderation, eat whole foods instead of junk, live within your physical, monetary, and environmental budget rather than constantly exceeding it, you will lose weight, tread more lightly on the planet, and gain satisfaction from these things.” -Mark Bittman
The real test of time will be whether our food source can make it all the way back to the truth. If we will ever make it back to a system where nutritious raw milk is more acceptable than over-processed pus remains to be seen, though there is always a glimmer of hope.
You can play your part in pushing this food revolution forward. As more and more people opt for healthful, nutrient-dense whole foods, the demand and potential for profits will also rise, encouraging the producers of our food to reduce processing and packaging. Next time you shop, promise to choose real foods. They will provide your body with more of the nutrients it needs—vitamins, fiber, minerals, energy—without added chemicals, sugar or fat. These whole foods won’t just nourish your physical body, but they’ll make you feel better on an energetic level, too.
For more personalized guidance, schedule a phone consultation with Rose.
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What To Remember:
Real foods are the healthiest foods.
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References:
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Our Grandparents Hold The Secret To Being Skinny. (October 24, 2013). Retrieved from New York Post.
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Thomas, Caroline. (April 4, 2011). The whole foods movement: ‘Age of the unthinkable’ for processed foods? Retrieved from Food Navigator USA.
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Voiland, Adam. (March 30, 2012). 10 Things The Food Industry Doesn’t Want You To Know. Retrieved from US News.
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