Nutrition: when did food become food-like products?

 

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Food and nutrition has been a big topic in my house recently.  GMOs (aka frankenfoods), artificial sugars, gluten, and organic are all hot topics.  In the Wildly Alive Weight Loss program, Nichole Kellerman Wurth discusses food (since most of us in that program have an issue with food).  While I know a little about these topics, I knew I needed to learn more.  I've also been a part of a 10+ day telesummit that regarding "self-mastery".  It includes recordings on over 20 health, fitness, and wellness professionals.  Between what I've learned from Nichole, this telesummit, and my new obsession with food documentaries, my life has been changed!!  Here's what I've learned and what I'm doing....

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So, we all know GMO (genetically modified organism) foods are bad, right?  Did you know that over 80% of corn and over 90% of soy is GMO?  For those who don't know, GMOs are foods that have been genetically modified in a laboratory to exhibit certain characteristics.  This can be disease/pest resistance, better/consistent coloring, faster/easier growth cycles, better taste, etc.  Doesn't sound too bad....WRONG??  Scientists say GMOs are not harmful, but how do they know???  Just because these foods may not have shown short-term issues (and we all know how they manipulate testing) doesn't mean there will not be long-term issues.  GMOs have not been around long enough for us to know what effect they may have on our bodies, or what it could do to the genetics we pass on to cause issues in future generations.  Besides, Mother Nature knew what she was doing when she created our food.  Why mess with that?  Avoid GMOs at all costs!

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Speaking of messing with mother nature, that brings me to artificial sweeteners.  What is wrong with natural sweeteners or naturally sweet foods?  You may think those light or diet foods are better for you, but they are actually worse!  Aspartame (Equal) has been linked to eye/ear problems, digestive issues, neurological disorders, death of brain cells, cancers, and so much more.  I recently discovered that EVERY gum I've been chewing has aspartame...ICK!! Sucralose (Splenda), while not as bad as aspartame, still causes some side effects....bladder/digestive issues, headaches, diarrhea, and rashes.  I've started checking every ingredient in my food and I am shocked at how many things contain sucralose.  Artificial sweeteners are considered zero-calorie ingredients because the body cannot break down and utilize them.  They are just flushed out the body through elimination.  Imagine what too many artificial sugars would do? Did you also know that sugar is addictive?  Hello, sugar cravings!  White sugar has been called the cocaine of foods.  Your best bet...limit all sugar, avoid artificial sweeteners, and use organic can sugar or stevia (Truvia) in moderation.

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Now, what can we say about gluten.....it seems to be in everything.  While gluten isn't necessarily bad for everyone, too much gluten can cause sensitivities.  Before our food became so manufactured, wheat did not contain as much gluten as it does now.  Which is why gluten-sensitivity is a fairly recent health concern.  We also process the heck out of wheat to give us the white flours and breads.  Gluten-sensitivity causes digestive issues, mood/emotional issues, neurological disorders, and fatigue.  If you can avoid gluten completely, good!  But, I find it incredibly hard.  Sometimes, it is not easy to find certain foods that are gluten-free and taste great.  Thankfully, companies are starting to produce more options.  If, like me, you are not able to completely avoid gluten, cut back as much as you can and eat more whole grain options.  Whole grains provide more nutrients and keep you fuller longer.

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Organics....mmmmm....how food is supposed to be!  Organic means it is not genetically altered, no synthetic pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers, and no antibiotics or growth hormones.  To go a step further, there is also grass-fed and cage free.  This is when the animals used for meat or animal food products (eggs, cheese, milk) are grown in a more natural state.  Instead of being held in tiny areas and fed GMO corn and hormones, they are raised on grass and open space.  In other words, exactly how our ancestors grew and ate food. 


It is too hard to change so much at once, so the BF and I came up with a plan.  We will start with out most important.  We are already eating a fairly ok diet...we try to avoid gmo and gluten, as well as try to shop organically.  Like most families, we are on a budget, so it can be tricky.  GMOs are not labled, so it's almost impossible to know (thanks Monsanto), so we avoid the biggest offenders.  We limit corn and soy, and ONLY use organic (cannot knowingly be GMO) IF we eat it.  I have cut out white breads, replacing with whole or sprouted grain (still working on the BF with this one).  We also use gluten-free pasta and other products when possible.  Now, sugar is a hard one for me....addictive remember?  I love sugar!  So, I'm reducing all sugar and cutting out aspartame completely.  I'm also becoming aware of foods with sucralose, fructose, saccharine (Sweet'N Low) and trying to cut them out.  This one is going to take awhile.  Since organic foods tend to be pricier, we've committed to buying only organic fruits/vegetables and grass-fed/cage-free meat - working towards all animal products.  Everyone I've been learning from recently suggest the same thing....start small, only 1-2 changes at a time.  And don't go into it with a mindset of "removing" or "getting rid of".  Think of it as replacing...an unhealthy thing for a healthy thing, so you don't feel a lack and struggle.

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Have other ideas on how to get healthy?  Please let me, and the world, know.  Our society is bombarded with unhealthiness, we need to share our knowledge and love of health!  Good luck and Namaste!