Myths And Truths: Whole Food Nutrition

You may have considered a whole foods-centered diet in the interest of better nutrition for yourself or a path towards weight loss. Or maybe processed food just grosses you out. The number of fast food joints in America has more than doubled since the 1970s, and processed food feels almost unavoidable.

Our first “myth” to debunk: that a healthy diet focusing on whole foods is unattainable.

MYTH: You can only buy expensive fresh produce.

TRUTH: People have always preserved food, and there are healthy ways to do it. Frozen, dried, or canned fruit with no sugar added (think 100% fruit juice instead of corn syrup) is perfectly okay. Frozen or canned veggies are healthy too, as long as no sauces or salt have been added.

MYTH: Easy snacking is difficult.

TRUTH: Did you know that popcorn is a whole grain? Yup. Versatile, fluffy, crunchy popcorn is a whole food. Skip the fatty, salty bagged version and pop plain kernels in an air popper or on the stove. It’s good plain, but there are plenty of herbs and seasoning to add some flair and cut back on the sodium, too.

MYTH: Desert is a big ‘no’.

TRUTH: A lot of whole food fanatics, nutritionists, and fitness coaches debate this one: should you cut out cane sugar entirely? While some whole food enthusiasts don’t mind a piece of mindfully-made apple pie every once in a while, others stick to naturally sweet fruits to satisfy cravings. Apple slices with natural peanut butter and topped with toasted coconut is a delicious, rich option that’s devoid of added sugar.

MYTH: Just eating a whole food diet will let me reach my fitness goals.

TRUTH: Depending on your personal goals, probably not. No single diet plan will help most people healthily get to the physical shape they desire. That being said, changing your diet helps. Combining your nutrition plan with a good physical wellness program or fitness coach is the best track to seeing your goals materialize.

A last myth: that whole food nutrition is a “fad diet”. Everyone who existed before processed foods came about in the 1940s ate almost 100% whole foods, and you can too. It’s simply a return to a simpler, cleaner, and more conscious way of living and eating. Take little steps to incorporate whole food snacks or meals into your day, and you might be surprised by how good you feel.