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The Four Top Traits Of Wholesome Foods That Are Valuable To You
We might imagine the foods we consume are truly healthful. In fact, they taste delicious. They're delivered fast. And, nobody wants to hurt us, do they?
Still, it could astound you to learn that our food industry is a profit making segment of our economy. They fight for every last dollar they can obtain. Their stockholders are interested in the highest rate of return on their investment. The pressure, consequently, is on the food industry to provide a product that is both flavorsome to keep you returning for more and profitable at the same time.
Nutrition is just not uppermost in the thoughts of the stockholders or the food manufacturers. However, it should be important to you because your health and life depend on you consuming good food.
So, that brings us to several characteristics of healthy, nourishing food. Good foods have these four characteristics:
1) Good foods keep their nutrient qualities. This means they undergo as little processing as possible. Processing often extracts fiber and other vitamins and minerals from whole foods. White flour, for example, has the beneficial bran and germ removed. This gives rise to a more "pure" looking product with an elevated concentration of calories and a higher glycemic index. White flour is used to make most baked goods. You need to know that many of these processed foods have had nourishing components removed.
2) Good foods do not have refined carbohydrates, predominantly sugar, added to them. Seemingly nourishing foods, like multi-grain cereals, almost always have several types of sugar added to make them more appetizing. All of the sugars and sugar substitutes lack dietary value and may even cause harm.
Sugars help make people fat and are associated with many diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart problems, hypertension, osteoarthritis and some cancers. There is likely no valid health reason for consuming foods with supplementary sugar.
3) Good foods should not have chemicals, hormones, antibiotics or drugs included with them. Fertilizers, pesticides, growth hormones are an insignificant part in any particular meal we consume. But, the regular introduction of these compounds into our bodies gives rise to worry in some circles. The European Union has banned growth hormones in beef production a result of possible human health risks. A Consumer Reports investigation found unsafe levels of pesticides on some fresh produce, including items grown in the United States.
4) Good foods are combined together to supply all of the essential vitamins, minerals and fiber for a wholesome diet. To grow healthy we need the correct nutrients every day. These include vitamins, minerals, fiber and complete protein. Eating foods for the reason that they taste good and are convenient will probably not supply optimal nutrition.
In general, all of us need to look at our diets to cut back on processed foods and manufactured food items with refined carbohydrates. Organically grown vegetables, fruits, and meats help eliminate contaminants that may lead to illness. And, we need to understand how to combine foods in a systematic manner to produce optimal nutrition. These steps allow more good food into our bodies and lead to better health and an extended life.
Fast foods that have high levels of fats and sugars are not good for you. They help fuel the weight loss and medical industries. The lead to medical problems such as diabetes and high cholesterol and heart disease. People embark upon diets to overcome the effects of what they eat every day. Simply eating healthful foods can rebuild health and save money on supplements and medicines.
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