We learned that fruits and vegetables were good for us when we were kids. Our parents tried to encourage us to eat spinach, broccoli and lettuce in many ways - sometimes by using force. Remember that?
Our mums used to buy unpacked foods and fresh veggies in local stores and prepare homemade meals.
These days, it’s hard to find any fruits and vegetables in a corner shop. Over the years, our lifestyles and food culture have changed significantly.
Unhealthy processed foods.
Today, fast-food ads are everywhere, and the supermarkets’ shelves are stocked with ready-to-eat processed foods, which are more convenient for our busy lifestyle. We buy and consume these products without thinking about what they contain and how they were made.
And sadly, the truth is that these products are often made with poor ingredients, contain a lot of salt, sugar and chemical substances that are not good for us. Following our busy schedules and looking for an easy and more convenient lifestyle, we tend to forget what real food is.
While ready meals are easy to warm up and consume, we shouldn’t rely our diet on these products when we want to be healthy and look good.
Perhaps, these products will satisfy us for a while, but having them every day will have severe consequences for our bodies.
A growing number of studies suggest that eating highly processed foods increases the risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, high pressure and heart diseases.
What are the foods that help us maintain good health?
Whole foods plant-based diet is the best for you.
Whole foods are natural, unprocessed, unrefined products rich in original nutrients foods that we should consume more. Plant-based whole foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, cereals do not contain chemical additives or preservatives. Instead, they come loaded with beneficial nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre. Whole foods are in the same state they were in when harvested (fresh or dried), and less processed foods keep their best nutritional values. Eating more plant-based whole foods is the best thing you can do for your body and health.
Unprocessed whole foods may also help you avoid many illnesses, maintain diabetes, reduce inflammation, which is considered the significant driver of heart disease and muscle pain. The key to your health is a whole foods plant-based diet.
Source of nutrients, fibre and antioxidants.
More recent medical studies show that a healthy plant-based diet provides us with enough protein, healthy fats and good carbohydrates, vitamins, calcium, magnesium, fibre and antioxidants.
Whole foods are loaded with antioxidants. And our bodies need antioxidants to fight free radicals that are responsible for blood cell damage. Vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and fruits contain a lot more antioxidants than animal-based products.
Whole foods high in fibre, which boosts digestion and healthy metabolism, will make you feel full longer and help you maintain proper weight. Eating more foods rich in fibres such as chia seeds, flaxseeds, beans and legumes, vegetables, and fruits may help reduce blood sugar levels which is particularly essential for those at risk for diabetes. For those with a sweet tooth, whole foods snacks such as nuts may also help reduce sugar cravings for products like cookies, cakes, and candies. Once your body gets used to eating whole, unprocessed foods, cravings for sugary foods could become less frequent.
