When it comes to diets, people often turn to those that have a strict set of rules about what you can eat, how much, and when. A whole food diet is not like that. This is because it is not a traditional diet. Rather, it’s a whole food approach that can be used to guide your food choices over the long term.
What is a whole foods diet?
A complete diet is not an official or commercial diet. Rather, it is a whole food approach to eating that is designed to be a sustainable plan for the long term. It’s self-explanatory: fill your plate with whole foods and avoid processed foods whenever possible. Whole foods are as close to their natural, unprocessed form as possible. They include foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean meats like chicken and fish, milk, yogurt, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Whole or processed foods
Before trying a whole food diet, it’s important to know that most of the foods you eat are processed to some degree. Foods that are cooked, canned, frozen, packaged, or nutritionally modified are considered “processed.” Nutritionally modified foods include those that are fortified or preserved. That being said, every time a food item is prepared or cooked, it is processed to some degree. Take the toasted pistachios you eat for a snack, the bagged lettuce you buy for your midday salad, or the brown rice you’re about to eat—they’ve all been processed, if only a little.
As part of a well-rounded diet, it’s okay to occasionally eat minimally processed foods like yogurt and cheese. Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables can also be healthy options when eaten without added sugar or excess sodium. Just try to avoid highly processed foods like fast food, frozen pizzas, and microwaved meals. You can easily identify these foods because they are pre-packaged and have a long list of ingredients that you have never heard of and are often difficult to pronounce. These foods can contain a lot of added sugar and sodium. Excessive salt consumption can lead to high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, and excessive sugar consumption carries a higher risk of health problems, such as excess weight and type 2 diabetes.
What are the potential health benefits of a whole foods diet?
Whole foods retain their nutrients, phytochemicals, and fiber, which are often lost in processed foods. Research suggests there are many reasons to consider eating more of these nutrient-dense fresh foods and fewer processed foods:
Prevention of chronic diseases
Although some animal products are allowed on this diet plan, a whole foods diet will most likely result in increased intake of healthy plant-based foods, as it emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. In one study, people who ate a plant-based diet were 19% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease and 11% less likely to die from any cause, compared to people whose diet was lower in food of vegetable origin.
In addition, a study showed that diets rich in whole foods, including whole grains, vegetables, fruits, fermented dairy products, fish, olive oil, nuts, chocolate, coffee, and tea, are associated with a lower risk of cancer, type diabetes 2 , heart disease and cerebrovascular accidents. On the other hand, the consumption of red and processed meats and sugary drinks is associated with a greater risk of these pathologies.
Chronic Disease Management
A diet that emphasizes whole, plant-based foods is generally rich in nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This type of diet can also help to naturally limit fat and calorie intake. For these reasons, it’s a great way to manage or treat conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and autoimmune diseases.right up arrow
Weightloss
Many processed foods are loaded with sugar and salt to enhance flavor. Eliminating them can save calories, which can lead to weight loss and could prolong life and prevent disease. A randomized controlled trial showed that people on a processed diet consumed 500 more calories per day, compared to people on an unprocessed diet. This study was small (only 20 adults) and conducted over a short period of time (14 days), but larger studies show that diets high in ultra-processed foods increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
In another study, six months of following a whole plant-based diet resulted in a weight loss of about 5 pounds, compared to a control group that lost less than a pound during that period. Participants in both groups were overweight or obese and had at least one chronic condition, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. Overall, the full diet group maintained this weight loss for 12 months.
Improved gastrointestinal health
By supplementing your diet with foods that are naturally high in fiber (whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables), you’re more likely to meet your recommended daily fiber intake. (Women should get at least 25 grams of fiber per day, while men should get at least 38 grams per day.)
A stronger immune system
A healthy and balanced diet promotes a healthy immune system. By going for variety, you ensure that you are consuming a wide range of nutrients, such as vitamin C, zinc and selenium, which are known to strengthen your body’s defenses. Additionally, a diet low in fruits and vegetables but full of ultra-processed foods (which are discouraged or severely limited on this diet plan) can negatively affect gut health and increase inflammation, two factors that can have negative effects on your system. immune.
What are the risks of a whole foods diet?
In general, the entire diet has few downsides, as long as you maintain a sense of proportion. It is important to realize that it is not necessarily all or nothing. By avoiding this mindset, you are not setting yourself up for failure. “Be careful if you have a history of eating disorders. Following a whole foods diet too strictly can lead to a “clean food” obsession and, for some people, immediate embarrassment if they eat anything processed.
If you’ve ever become obsessed with your food choices, see a dietitian who can help you tailor your diet safely. You can also turn to the National Eating Disorders Association for resources and support.
The following foods can be part of your meal plan as part of a complete diet:
whole grains
fruits
Non-starchy vegetables (asparagus, green beans, bell peppers)
Starchy vegetables (corn, carrots, potatoes)
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Poultry
Seafood, including fish
Eggs
plain yogurt
White cheese
Cheese
Nuts and seeds
Legumes (beans and lentils)
Oil (olive oil, avocado oil)
Avoid or limit the following foods as much as possible:
White bread
Chips
chips and cookies
Frozen pizza
Fast food
Chocolate bars
Chicken Nuggets
hot dogs
Commercial bakery products.
cold cuts
Most Microwaved Foods
Candy
Sodas and other sugary drinks
Summary
A whole foods diet can benefit your health because it focuses on the types of foods (such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds) that are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. The principle of this diet can serve as a guide to choosing the most nutritious foods, but it will not provide you with a set of rules to follow, and it is intended as a long-term lifestyle option rather than a fad diet of the world. . short term.
* HealthKey strives to convey health knowledge in a language accessible to all. In NO EVENT can the information provided replace the opinion of a health professional.
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