Most people know that processed foods can be harmful to their health, but it can be challenging to incorporate more whole foods into your diet if you are used to buying and eating primarily processed foods. The good news is that a whole foods diet doesn’t have to be complicated or hard to follow. In fact, all it takes is some basic steps to gradually transition to a whole foods diet. Keep reading for some helpful whole foods diet recommendations in Poplar Bluff, MO.
Why adopt a whole foods diet?
If your diet includes a lot of processed foods, you might be wondering about the benefits of switching to a whole foods diet. Extensive research by nutrition experts has demonstrated that the simplest diets are often the healthiest. Processed foods often contained chemicals and ingredients that can be detrimental to health, and they also commonly lack some of the most important nutrients, vitamins and minerals for overall health and wellbeing.
Whole foods contain antioxidants, fiber, nutrients, healthy fats and minerals that are essential to human health. Even processed foods that are advertised as “healthy” often don’t contain these healthy components in the quantities or concentrations that whole foods do. Eating whole foods is a much more efficient and effective way to get these essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins. In addition, whole foods tend to be less calorically dense than processed foods, which is great for people who are trying to be mindful of their daily caloric intake.
How to get a whole foods diet in Poplar Bluff, MO
Adopting a whole foods diet rarely happens overnight. Starting with some simple steps to transition your diet is the best way to move toward a healthier lifestyle in a way that’s sustainable and easy to maintain. Here is some helpful advice on how to get a whole foods diet in Poplar Bluff, MO:
- Opt for whole grains: Transitioning to whole grains is a fairly easy way to begin moving toward a whole foods diet. Try switching to whole grain bread, brown rice and whole wheat flour. With the right seasoning and preparation, these alternatives don’t have a significant taste difference and they often contain many more nutrients and far greater quantities of dietary fiber.
- Snack on vegetables and fruits instead of processed snacks: Processed snacks are popular because of how convenient they are, but they are not a very healthy snack option. Instead of picking up a bag of chips or a granola bar, snack on sliced vegetables and hummus or fruit and nut butter.
- Drink water: Sugary beverages are often packed with calories that can derail efforts to lose weight or improve health. Drink water with lemon instead of soda or juice. This small change can make a huge difference in sugar and calorie consumption.
Get more whole foods diet recommendations
If you’re interested in adopting a whole foods diet in Poplar Bluff, MO, stop by The Bee Hive Natural Foods. We offer our customers an extensive selection of natural foods to make it easy to find all the essential elements of a whole foods diet. No matter what you’re looking for, we’re here to provide recommendations and help you find the best health food products for your particular preferences and needs. Give us a call or stop by today to find out more about everything we have to offer.