Eat Whole Foods - Counting Chemicals Versus Calories

I’m a big believer on focusing on eating whole foods that nourish your body. I’m also a believer in counting chemicals versus calories as opposed to dieting. So what exactly does this mean? The goal is to focus on increasing food quality which is KEY to improving your health. It means eating more, not less - yes that's correct - to balance your blood sugar.

So to break this down. If you were to take processed foods versus the least processed foods (organic and local), and put both on a spectrum, your goal is to opt closer towards the least processed foods. For instance, take Jimmy Dean Sausage versus Applegate Sausage as an example. These are both processed foods, but in this case, you’d opt for the Applegate Sausage as they are less processed with fewer chemicals than the Jimmy Dean. If you were choosing amounts chip brands, you’d opt for the Kettle Brand versus Pringles.

A general rule is that if it comes in a bag or box, don’t eat it! There are some exceptions to this rule, for instance produce may be sold in a bag, so it’s more of a judgement call.

So how to shop:
Read the ingredients. If there something that you can't pronounce or that looks unfamiliar, chances are it's highly processed. When looking at ingredients, keep your eye out for Citric Acid, which is a common flavoring and settling agent added to tons of processed foods.

• Find labels with the fewest ingredients
• Buy Organic
• Buy non-GMO

Opting for local, organic and seasonal means more nutrients and fewer chemicals. Fruits and vegetables often from chain marketplaces are having their products shipped from thousands of miles away. The longer these items are consumed from harvest date, the longer they have to lose nutrient content. According to Chris Kresser, organic plant foods contain, on average 25% higher concentrations of 11 nutrients than their conventional counterparts.

Another benefit to opting for organic produce is that they contain fewer chemicals because they are grown without pesticides, herbicides and other harmful chemicals that have been shown to cause health problems.

Lastly, opting for local, seasonal and organic products establishes a connection to the food you are consuming and to the people that are growing the food for a greater sense of community.

If you’re on Cape Cod, some of the best places I’ve found to get local and organic produce are at:

• Cape Cod Organic Farm
• Organic Market
• Whole Foods

Overall, the key to maintaining your overall health is to eat real food. It is as simple as that. Want a detailed cheat sheet on high quality foods? Email me here.