The Whole Foods Diet
Savor foods in their natural form with this healthy eating style.
BACKGROUND
The Whole Foods Diet is a way of eating that is in stark contrast to the heavily processed and nutrient-void style of the American Diet. Centered around eating very little or no processed foods at all, the Whole Foods Diet is abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and organic or free range meat, poultry, dairy and seafood.
Many studies have linked the mass consumption of packaged foods, which are usually high in fat, sugar, hydrogenated oils, refined flours, and additives, to the prevalence of obesity and weight-related health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. The Whole Foods Diet is not just a way of eating that can markedly improve health and reduce risk of these diseases, but it is also seen as a backlash to the overly manufactured food industry, which regularly uses genetically-modified ingredients, artificial additives and mysterious ingredients.
A Whole Foods Diet is often followed by those looking to lose weight, clean up their diet or heal from a chronic health condition.
PRO
- Very healthy diet
- Has the potential to reduce risk of disease
- Will help you lose weight
- Engenders appreciation of the taste of foods in their natural and unadulterated state
- Encourages shopping at farmer's markets and eating local and seasonal fresh foods
CON
- Abundance and ease of processed foods may make this diet difficult to follow exclusively
DIET and NUTRITION
The Whole Foods Diet is comprised of eating foods in their fresh and unprocessed form. The mainstay of a Whole Foods Diet is fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and organically-raised meat, poultry, seafood and dairy.
In general, The Whole Foods Diet is a low glycemic diet with a proper balance of complex carbohydrates, lean protein and the right kinds of fat. White foods like white flour and sugar are avoided as are additives found in packaged foods like nitrates and MSG. Food is either cooked or eaten raw with minimal dressing and adornment. If seasonings are used they are generally healthy. Think olive oil, vinegars, honey, sea salt, fresh herbs and spices.
A typical day on the Whole Foods Diet, might look like this:
Breakfast: Steel-cut oats topped with mixed berries, whole almonds and sweetened with honey
Lunch: Green salad topped with vegetables and poached chicken breast and seasoned with a dressing of olive oil and lemon juice
Dinner: Wild-caught salmon, spinach sautéed with olive oil and garlic and quinoa.
Dessert and snacks include fresh or baked fruit, nuts, smoothies, whole-grain crackers and nut butters.
EXERCISE
Since the Whole Foods Diet supports a healthy way of living, regular exercise is done on most days of the week.
CONCLUSION
The Whole Foods Diet is a healthy way of living inspired by those who want to consume clean and nutritious foods as well as be in control of the ingredients and conditions used to grow and create their food. While it’s unarguably healthy, The Whole Foods Diet takes effort and discipline to follow considering the fast-food and ultra processed culture of our food industry.
Common Misspellings
hole foods diet, whole foods, wholefoods diet, whole foods market diet, whole food diet, natural food diet, clean eating diet
Related Diets: Calorie Restriction Diet , Volumetrics, Makers Diet, Okinawa Diet, Pritikin Diet, The Advanced Mediterranean Diet, Vegetarian Diet, Caveman Diet, The Eat-Clean Diet, Glycemic Index
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