| All natural foods are considered to be foods that have | | | | they may lose some of their nutrients, thus changing |
| been minimally processed and do not contain artificial | | | | the whole food to a different form. |
| ingredients or isolated vitamins, minerals and chemicals. | | | | In today's fast paced world, not many people have |
| Many vitamins and so called "health food" products in | | | | time to prepare or consume enough raw fruits and |
| stores are produced synthetically in a laboratory. | | | | vegetables to take in all the daily nutritional |
| Synthetic man made nutrients are not easily absorbed | | | | requirements their bodies need. It is possible to |
| by the body because they are not recognized as | | | | preserve nutrients from plants in their whole food form |
| something nature intended us to consume. People who | | | | and prepare them for quick easy consumption. |
| are taking isolated vitamins every day are throwing | | | | However, it's hard to find manufacturers who are |
| their money down the toilet because the body | | | | willing to take the necessary steps and pay the price |
| considers most of those isolated chemicals as waste. | | | | to prepare foods in that way. There are some |
| Usually more nutritious than refined foods, all natural | | | | excellent all natural foods that have been prepared |
| foods do not include ingredients such as refined | | | | with minimal processing and at lower temperatures for |
| sugars, refined flours, milled grains, hydrogenated oils, | | | | easy, convenient consumption, but you have to search |
| artificial sweeteners, artificial food colors, or artificial | | | | the Internet to find those all natural foods that fulfill all |
| flavorings. Proponents of natural food diets argue that | | | | the nutritional requirements. Those types of prepared |
| refined ingredients promote obesity, diabetes, cancer, | | | | foods and health and nutritional supplement products |
| and heart disease. Wikipedia claims, "Ideally, all-natural | | | | make it easier to be certain you are taking in enough |
| foods have not been subjected to irradiation, contain | | | | nutrients each day to keep your body operating at |
| no GMO (genetically modified organisms), have not | | | | peak levels of health and fitness. |
| been sterilized, and do not contain animal products that | | | | A diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and |
| have been subjected to steroids, antibiotics or drugs. | | | | legumes left in as natural a state as possible has many |
| The belief being, the closer to nature, the more benefit | | | | health advantages: |
| the consumer receives by eating all natural whole | | | | * Whole foods are rich in bioflavonoids and |
| foods". | | | | phytochemicals--powerful nutrients found in plants. |
| The term "whole food" indicates that it does not | | | | * Compared with processed foods, whole foods |
| contain parts of foods, or synthetic or isolated vitamins. | | | | contain more complex carbohydrates, natural |
| Examples of whole foods include: | | | | antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients. |
| * Raw vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and | | | | * All natural whole foods are often high fiber foods |
| spinach. | | | | with more beneficial fats. |
| * Raw or freeze-dried fruits such as apples, berries, | | | | The combinations of nutrients in whole plant foods act |
| pineapple, bananas, peaches, and lemons. | | | | synergistically to keep the human body functioning the |
| * Chinese yam, coix fruit, sprouted soybeans. | | | | way it was originally designed. So, when you are |
| * Nuts (raw or soaked) | | | | shopping for healthy foods that are quick and easy to |
| * Other legumes and most food grade herbs, whole | | | | prepare, check the label carefully to avoid an excess |
| grains or plants. | | | | of man made synthetic ingredients. Better yet, check |
| An important nutrition fact to remember is that whole | | | | the Internet for all natural foods not available in stores. |
| foods are usually in their raw state. Once they have | | | | Your body will appreciate it. |
| been cooked, boiled, pasteurized or heated in any way, | | | | |