Real food is food in its most natural state.
It primarily consists of:
- unprocessed foods
- foods without any chemical additives
- foods rich in nutrients
However, since the popularity of processed foods in the twentieth century, the Western diet has shifted more toward ready-to-eat meals.
While processed foods are convenient, they may be harmful to your health. Eating real food may be one of the most important things you can do to help maintain your health.
Here are 21 compelling reasons to eat real food.
Real foods have plenty of essential nutrients
Animal and plant meals that have not been processed can help you get the vitamins and minerals you need for good health.
For example, 1 cup (149 grams) of red bell peppers, 180 mg of kiwi, or 165 grams of orange slices all contain more than 100% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) for vitamin C.
Choline, a nutrient necessary for proper brain function, is particularly prevalent in the liver and eggs.
Additionally, one Brazil nut contains all the selenium needed for a full day.
The majority of real foods are actually excellent sources of vitamins, minerals, and other healthy nutrients.
Low sugar
According to several studies, eating sugary foods may make you more likely to get obese, develop insulin resistance, develop type 2 diabetes, develop fatty liver disease, or develop heart disease. Real foods typically have less added sugar than many processed foods, in general.
Fruit is a much healthier alternative to soda and processed foods, despite the fact that it does include sugar. Fruit is also abundant in water and fiber.
Heart wellness
Magnesium and heart-healthy fats are only two of the heart-healthy minerals and antioxidants that are abundant in real food.
Consuming a diet high in nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods may also assist in reducing inflammation, which is one of the main causes of heart disease.
Environmentally friendly
The need for food is rising along with the world’s steady growth. But feeding billions of people can have a negative impact on the ecosystem.
This is partially a result of packaging that winds up in landfills, increasing fuel use, pesticide use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the clearing of rainforests to make way for agricultural land.
By lowering the amount of nonbiodegradable trash that people produce and by reducing energy requirements, developing sustainable agriculture based on genuine food may help improve the health of the world.
Rich in fiber
Numerous health advantages of fiber are found in real foods, including improvements in digestion, metabolism, and feelings of satiety. Along with beans and legumes, foods like avocados, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and blackberries are particularly high in beneficial fiber.
Since fiber from whole foods keeps you satiated longer and provides you with additional nutrients from fruit or vegetables, it is preferable to take a fiber supplement.
Helps to control blood sugar
According to the International Diabetes Federation, over 450 million people worldwide have diabetes.
By 2045, that figure is anticipated to reach 700 million.
If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing it, eating a diet rich in unprocessed animal products and fiber plants may help lower your blood sugar levels.
People with diabetes or prediabetes participated in a 12-week trial in which they had a paleolithic diet consisting of fresh meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and nuts. They saw a 26% decrease in blood sugar levels.
Beneficial to your skin
Real food can support a healthier overall state of being and nourish and safeguard your skin.
For instance, it has been demonstrated that dark chocolate and avocados can shield skin from sun damage.
According to studies, consuming more vegetables, fish, beans, and olive oil may help prevent wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and other aging-related skin changes.
Additionally, transitioning to a diet centered on real food from a Western diet rich in processed foods may help prevent or decrease acne.
Aids in reducing triglycerides
Food consumption has a significant impact on blood triglyceride levels.
It’s advised to limit sugar and refined carbs because they may cause your triglyceride levels to rise.
Additionally, it has been demonstrated that consuming unprocessed foods such as fatty fish, lean meats, veggies, and nuts can considerably lower triglyceride levels.
Variety is provided
You can incorporate a variety of items in your diet, such as trying vegetables you’ve never tasted, to keep it interesting.
Numerous varieties of meat, fish, dairy, vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and seeds are among the hundreds of genuine food options available.
Always try to explore different meals. Chayote squash, chia seeds, organ meats, kefir, and quinoa are a few unusual choices.
Has long-term cost savings
The cost of real food is allegedly higher than that of processed food.
Eating better food costs around $1.56 more per 2,000 calories than processed food, according to a study that examined 27 studies from 10 different nations (23).
When compared to the expense of controlling chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity, this difference may be negligible.
Real food, therefore, has a lower long-term cost because it is more likely to keep you healthy and lower your need for medical care.
May lower the risk of sickness
Your risk of disease may be lowered by including real food in your daily routine.
Heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome risk can be decreased by following eating regimens like the Mediterranean diet that emphasize complete, unprocessed foods.
In addition, a number of sizable observational studies have found a correlation between a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and a lower risk of heart disease and cancer.
Contains antioxidants
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can harm the cells in your body, and antioxidants are substances that help resist them.
All real foods, particularly plant foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and legumes, contain them. Antioxidants are also present in raw, fresh animal meals, albeit in considerably fewer quantities.
For instance, lutein and zeaxanthin are nutrients found in egg yolks that can help prevent eye conditions including cataracts and macular degeneration.
Good for your digestive system
Your gut microbiome, which refers to the bacteria that reside in your digestive tract, may benefit from eating actual food.
The truth is that a lot of actual meals serve as prebiotics or foods that your gut flora convert into short-chain fatty acids. These fatty acids may enhance blood sugar control in addition to supporting intestinal health.
The real food sources of prebiotics are cocoa, garlic, and asparagus.
Delicious
On top of that, real food tastes great.
The incredible flavor of fresh, unrefined food cannot be denied.
Once you get used to eating real food, packaged junk food is worthless.
Conclusion
One element of a healthy lifestyle is real food.
Additionally, it’s crucial to exercise as frequently as you can to reduce stress.
keep a healthy diet
However, there is little doubt that increasing your intake of whole foods will significantly improve your health.
