You want to eat the best quality food possible. But how many facts and contradictory reports can we consume?
So today GenuLines is serving up this look at both whole and refined food.
Whole Food Vs. Refined- A Closer Look
Which foods should I eat and how much? An endless parade of options gives us almost too much information on making good choices.
Sure spinach is no doubt a healthier food choice than potato chips. But a new area of focus is getting attention.It has more to do with the quality of the food rather than which food to pick.
So you took spinach over potato chips.
But is it still good for you if it’s canned, frozen, fresh, refined? It’s a tricky question.
Making good food choices
First, we need to define some of these key terms. Whole food is one without changes that could alter its natural state.
This might refer to vegetables that are grown without any modification. as if you’d picked them from the ground itself.
Grains or even meat can come into play, too. This means no chemicals, preservatives, or additives in the packaging process.
Altered states
By contrast, refined food has had some aspects of it removed or altered. This can but doesn’t always include processed foods.
These prepared foods have nothing taken away. Think fresh orange juice prepared from fresh oranges, or flour from whole grain.
Now, refined food goes through a process that creates a fundamental change. One example is the difference that occurs with converted rice- from brown to white.
But is it better?
Generally speaking refined does not refer to better or improved. Rather it’s often a refining process that’s removing key nutrients.
For example, white flour that’s made from whole grain. It starts with a process that removes a lot of the fiber content.
So it doesn’t have the nutrition density or health benefits of brown rice flour.
Not all refined foods are bad.
Processed dried fruits have had their water removed.
That doesn’t mean they’re bad for you. Heat plain popcorn and you change its structure.
It’s processed, but it can still be healthy.
Take a closer look
One of the key takeaways then is to dig deeper into any food that’s refined or could be. There are many refined foods that don’t deliver nutritional benefits.
And they’ve been fundamentally altered in the process. These deliver a much compromised nutritional benefit.
They include products like white bread, white rice, or refined pasta. These lose their original density when altered for taste and preservation.
But there’s more
Fruit juices are another example of processing for preservation. This gives them longer shelf life and more sweetness.
Their alteration kills most of the original benefit of the actual fruits.
So, if you think drinking apple juice is as good as eating apples, think again. Of course, some examples would be much easier to identify.
Compare potato chip quality to the original potato’s. Or fried chicken tenders and their original composition when they’re still fresh.
Summary
In a perfect nutrition world we would only consume whole foods straight from farm to table. Whenever possible this is the recommended choice.
So when you shop for refined foods, do your due diligence. Find out if the refining process has altered the food for the worse, and if so, do your best to avoid it.
As always, preparation equals success so do your research and eat the best food for you!
JohnK 10/25/2021
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