We all want to live our best life, and what we put in our bodies is probably the most important step leading that best life. We’ve heard the experts take a stance on organic vs processed, GMO vs non-GMO, and that your diet matters significantly to your overall health.
With so many stipulations, new discoveries and breakthroughs, it can be tough keeping up with what’s considered the “healthy trend” or fad in current popularity. I bet you’ve even heard those people with the perfect bods and amazing looks say, “You are what you eat!” What if I told you it isn’t that simple? Would you believe me?
How is Your Food Handled? It Really Does Matter!
From where it’s sourced to how it’s grown, processed, prepared and even cooked makes a difference on what that food is going to do to your body. Raw foods have different nutrients than its cooked version. This is not new information.
Some people adjust or tailor a diet that is specific to their needs and personal health. What works for Vicki at the office, may not cut it for you, and likewise. Words of vegetarianism, veganism, and the often shunned meat-eaters cast categorical shadows and has an effect on how we select foods in our diets.
When it comes to the foods we eat there are a few common types we need to learn before knowing how to select foods right for ourselves.
Raw Foods Vs Cooked
Many enthusiasts claim that cooking food taints it. They believe that certain natural enzymes are destroyed when food is cooked. While it is true, a lot of nutrients are lost when food is cooked, new enzymes can be formed when food has been heated and prepared by cooking.
Commonly consumed raw foods consist of nuts, vegetables, and fruits. Meat products do need to be cooked or cured before consumption in volume, we make exceptions for tartare because it is usually eaten in moderation.
Non-GMO Foods Vs GMO
By now, it’s difficult to find foods that do not say non-GMO. It seems every producer or manufacturer aims to go Non-GMO. This is good because genetically modified food can have adverse health benefits. Did you know there was a term called “GMO-Free”?
This is a term that is not easily earned as it means there are absolutely no GMO products associated with it at all, from growing to processing to preserving, etc. We use the term Non-GMO to mean the food itself has not been altered by science and its trickery.
Refined Vs Processed
A lot of people use these words interchangeably, but let me be the first to tell you, they are most certainly not the same! Processed is a term that is used when food undergoes a process during manufacturing before you buy it.
Think canned goods, box dinners, and basically things you shouldn’t consume too much of. Refined, on the other hand, is derived from a whole good. Think about sugar being refined from the agave, cane, or other natural areas. Still not hitting home?
Olive oil is another example of refined food. It doesn’t contain all of its original nutrients.
Think Beyond the Label: Is Organic Still Humane?
As most of us have transitioned our shopping lists to accommodate more organic and natural foods, autonomously neglecting labels that do not say anti-biotic & hormone-free or grass-fed but is that enough. Studies do show that grain-fed beef has a different nutritional makeup than grass-fed beef.
It’s incredible to think that there can be that big of a difference in the same type of food. Unfortunately, the industry is changing and even grass-fed has become a production factor to be optimized. This still can have a negative effect on the quality of food when consumed.
There are still some true-to-tradition farmers that still believe in the farm fresh-to-table characteristic that makes genuine food. This standard doesn’t just apply to beef, but all types of meat from poultry to pork.
Budget for Your Health: Quality vs Quantity
Did you know that according to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the US spends roughly $147 billion dollars in medical expenses related to obesity and that nearly a third of the US population suffers from obesity?
Could the quality of food be affecting the overall health benefits people seek when buying food? So when given the option, do you choose quantity to fill up or quality to sustain?
This is a question that is extremely debatable.
Many unknowingly or subconsciously opt for quantity, but later have buyer’s regret because they know healthier options tend to cost a little more.
Along with providing a lot less food at the price point.
Remember that opting for quantity over quality means the type of meat you are eating will be different even if it comes from the same type of livestock. Remember, it’s not what you eat, it’s what your food eats that matters.
The way your food was prepared and harvested plays a factor in nutrition, taste and other preference areas. You are what your food eats!
