Article by Peter Morgan
Describing food as “natural” is often a sneaky way for companies to convince you to buy a product. Not all foods labelled as such are in fact, natural foods. But if you are a savvy shopper and know what to look for then finding truly natural products is fairly easy. Natural foods by definition, mean that they are minimally processed and do not have added junk. This can include added sugars, hormones, antibiotics, sweeteners, colorants and flavours. Many processed foods contain all of those.
Organic and natural foods often go hand in hand. When shopping you should look for natural foods that are organic. Of course, not all organics are natural and vice versa. Instead of believing the label directly, check the nutrition facts and lists of ingredients. Anything with suspicious words or ingredients probably isn’t very natural to begin with.
The majority of products sold in grocery stores are not natural foods. Unfortunately, even innocent canned vegetables have things added to them. Frozen meals are notorious for adding tons of salt and unnecessary ingredients. The extras can be dangerous for your health. It is unknown how the body reacts in the long term to artificial colours and flavours, but some autism studies have shown that they make neurological problems more advanced. In the United States there is no set definition of what is natural set by the FDA. Even foods containing glycerine, soy lecithin, and Môn calcium phosphate can be considered natural. Be warned that these foods are not natural. The same concept applies to meat products that are injected with saline solutions that make them artificially “juicy.” Usually reading the label will let you know whether or not the food is truly natural.
When buying groceries the most natural products you can buy are the ones that are the most basic. Non-genetically modified organisms should be a priority when shopping. Choosing organic when possible is highly recommended for food. Aside from that, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, beans, and nuts and seeds are excellent all natural choices for any diet. These foods are often the least processed and least tampered with, meaning that you get maximum nutrition. Without the “extras” your body can easily absorb the necessary nutrients for 100% health and well being.
Natural eating is much better for your overall health, and knowing when to buy and what kind to buy can save you money and make you healthier overall. Instead of believing labels up front, always check ingredients. This will help you choose products that are honestly natural. Avoid added sugars and added flavours, as those are not natural and truly diminish the healthy factor of most foods to begin with.
You can find natural foods anywhere, and it doesn’t't require any special stores. Anyone can buy the basics and add spices on their own when preparing foods. This will save you money overtime and help you develop an eating plan that will make you healthy from the inside out.
About the Author
Super foods, Natural foods and Green Foods are represented by Major marketing.
In August, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey argued in the pages of the Wall Street Journal that the solution to America’s health care crisis was to be found in “less government control and more individual empowerment.” His own company’s unique health care plan, Mackey wrote, covers 90 percent of employees, costs less than health insurance plans, aned provides a “very high degree of worker satisfaction.” But for the sin of not supporting a government take over of health care, labor unions and left-wing activists called for a boycott of Whole Foods, claiming that Mackey’s solutions were unworkable and his employees were unhappy. Reason.tv talked to protesters, Mackey, and employees about “the Whole Foods alternative to ObamaCare.” Produced by Michael C. Moynihan and Dan Hayes. Edited by Dan Hayes. Approximately 5 minutes. (Full disclosure: Mackey has contributed to Reason Foundation, the nonprofit that publishes this website.) Related video: John Mackey’s Conscious Capitalism: The Whole Foods CEO on health care, veganism, and free markets: www.youtube.com Go to reason.tv for downloadable versions of these and other videos.
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