Non Processed Food Diets

A diet without processed foods is a simple, effective method to being feeling healthier. Though not a complete detoxification diet, by eliminating processed foods the body digests foods better,and gets all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. If you are eating processed foods now, changing your diet will require some work, but the rewards are worth it.

Why Eliminate Processed Foods

Highly processed foods are foods that have taken many steps from their original form to your table. Michael Pollan, author of "The Omnivore's Dilemma," notes that a good rule of thumb is to avoid foods with more than five ingredients. Obviously, there are exceptions to this, but it is a good starting place. Another good idea put out by Pollan is to avoid eating foods that your grandmother would not recognize.

How To Start

Plan for this lifestyle change by eliminating as much stress as possible and making certain you will be able to avoid eating out at restaurants at first. You will want to be able to choose what you eat and when as much as possible. Plan to take your lunch to work with you, for example. As an added benefit, you may also choose to eliminate sugar and caffeine from your diet.

Foods to Include

Five servings of fruits and vegetables are recommended per day. Try to go beyond that. Fill your refrigerator with in-season vegetables and fruits, and think about preparing enough for the day in advance, so you will not be tempted to reach for a processed snack when huger strikes. For the long term, think about joining a Community Supported Agriculture group, where you share in baskets of produce from a locl farm. Try to look for fresh, grass fed meat
Also include berries and other fruits rich in anti-oxidants. They help your body detox by eliminating free radicals, which occur when a molecule splits and has an extra electron. It then tries to bond with another molecule, resulting in a chain reaction. When antioxidants "eat" the free radicals, this stops the chain reaction. Including antioxidants will help give your body a boost as you change your diet and lifestyle.

Foods to Avoid

Avoid foods with a high glycolic index, such as sugar. Also avoid caffeine and alcohol if you can. Read labels to get an idea of how processed your food choices are. Foods with preservatives in them should be avoided as well. Try to consume only foods that are fresh and prepared by you or someone you know well. Essential fatty acids are an important part of a healthy diet, so either take a fish oil supplement or try to eat large amounts of coldwater fish like salmon. Grass fed butter and heavy cream are other good sources of essential fatty acids.

Other Lifestyle Changes

Drink at least eight glasses of filtered water per day, though this can be modified to your taste. Some people need more, some less.
As you change your diet, you may experience headaches and either extra energy or fatigue. Try to be patient with your body as you change your diet. Consider warm Epsom salts baths to detoxify your body and help it ease into a new lifestyle.