The Benefits of Whole Foods

Make sure to include plenty of whole foods vs. processed foods, such as: Fast Food and TV Dinners (Lean Cuisine and Atkins meals) as part of your weight loss plan.  When you eat whole foods you are eating them in the most natural state with all it's nutrients, vitamins and minerals.  Your body can absorb these nutrients to meet optimal nutritional needs.

Studies have shown that a diet high in fruits, grains and vegetables are associated with the reduce risk of certain diseases like diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.  So how how does this help your health? Whole foods are loaded with fiber, vitamins and minerals. They also contain phytochemicals (plant compounds). Some of these phytochemicals are antioxidants, which help to protect against cell damage. An example of antioxidant phytochemicals are flavonoids, carotenoids, and lycopene. Whole foods are not only fruits and vegetables; they can also include lean proteins such as: chicken (no skin), fish and beef.

Here are some tips to get the most out of your whole foods:

• Try to eat as many raw fruits and vegetables daily. When they are cooked at high temperatures they can lose some of their nutrients.
• Try not to over cook your proteins. The longer the protein is cooked, the less available the nutrients will be. Try to select meats or other proteins from animals that are naturally fed, such as grass-fed beef and free-range chicken. Healthy animals do not have to be cooked until all of the nutrients are gone. Meat that is cooked until it is well done may lose some of the B vitamins and the available iron and can be harder to digest in general.

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