Processed. Over packaged. Preservatives. Hydrogenated. Most people today get that these are indications of food that may not provide the most nutrition. Sometimes, it takes a little reading and extra thought… not what most people would consider convenient. So is “convenient nutrition” an oxymoron? Perhaps. But then again, since when is coronary illness convenient?
A friend of mine produced a wonderful post on this topic, after noticing “healthy people at the gym” choosing a synthetic product over a natural one for their coffee. I wouldn’t lay blame on most for making this mistake… afterall, there is a tremendous amount of conflicting information out there about what we should and should not eat (e.g. fats vs carbs).
And it’s rare that we fully understand the ways that foods impact our bodies… but Natasha points out something very wise:
“The truth is, a “treat” should make our body feel better, not worse. Or else it really wasn’t much of a “treat”, after all.”
I can’t count how many times I have been dupped into eating something my olifactory sensors thought I would enjoy, only to feel terrible afterwards. So sometimes, it’s not even the label’s fault. So how do we avoid eating “food” that is bad for us, let alone bad for the planet to produce?
Some questions I like to ask when choosing food to eat:
- How far did it wander from the farm? If the farmer wouldn’t recognize it, abstain.
- Would you dare lick it without washing and not worry about ailments to your kidneys?
- Do you know what those ingredients ACTUALLY are?
- Shop the outside isle.
- If you don’t feel great after eating it, don’t buy it again.
How about you? What are your guidlines for buying nutritious food?
From my sphere to yours, here’s to Earth on a Platter.
HB
So true! I love what you said about being duped into eating something that looked/smelled good but ended up making you feel like garbage. I find that the healthier I become, the less and less I can tolerate the processed junk. It’s a blessing, for sure!