Diet Without Processed Foods
Eating a diet without processed foods may be easier than you imagine. It will lead you on the road to better eating and a healthier lifestyle. You'll enjoy a variety of foods as they were meant to be tasted, in their unadulterated state. You won't have to be concerned about additives, preservatives, pesticides and food colorings. And by not eating processed foods, you will have better control of your food intake.
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Weight Management
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Lose the processed foods, and you will likely lose weight. Natural foods are lower in calories than processed foods. The main components of an unprocessed diet are fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These are all low in calories and high in fiber. Fiber acts as a natural appetite suppressant, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Budget Friendly
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Preparing foods from fresh ingredients can stretch your grocery dollars further. Buy produce on sale. Bulk quantities of whole grains can be stored in a glass container for future use.
More Fiber
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A diet without processed foods will help you consume the recommended amounts of fiber, according to the USDA. Switch to whole grain products instead of those with refined flours. Use whole grain bread (made without trans and/or saturated fats) instead of white bread for your sandwiches. Make a lasagna with whole wheat lasagna noodles instead of the refined flour variety. Add fresh vegetables for extra fiber.
More Color
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Replace canned foods with fresh produce, which not only have more nutrients, such as fiber and antioxidants, but also taste better. The Centers for Disease Control recommends eating a variety of colorful, eye-appealing foods.
A Diet Lower in Salt, Fat and Cholesterol
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Eating a diet without processed foods will lower your sodium consumption. Processed foods, by contrast, are high in salt, according to the Mayo Clinic. The salt is added to keep the food from spoiling. The salt draws moisture out so that harmful bacteria can't grow. In addition, if there is any existing bacteria that might cause spoiling, salt will kill it. Salt is also used to improve food taste, reduce dryness and increase sweetness in cakes and cookies.
Decreasing your sodium intake will reduce your risk of blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other health ailments, according to the American Heart Association.
You can lower your intake of fat and cholesterol in a diet without processed foods, according to the USDA. (Processed foods are typically high in saturated, trans fats and/or cholesterol.) Use fruits to satisfy your sweet tooth. Instead of eating a sugar-laden baked dessert, known for being high in harmful saturated fats and refined sugars, try a fresh fruit parfait topped with a dollop of low-fat yogurt.
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