As more shoppers become aware of the foods they consume and the effects on their health, the clean eating movement continues to gain steam. When the average adult is tired, stressed and in pain, it’s only natural that they would look for a better way to live. One of the most important factors in your quality of life, of course, is the food you eat. Every day, more people commit to cutting out additives and embracing natural food, but others still need to be convinced. Regardless of which category you are in, you should become familiar with processed foods. Preservatives and GMOs are nearly ubiquitous in our foods, and they have become part of an establishment. Those who choose to rebel must identify the problem and forge a path that excludes them from their diet. Read on to see whether such a choice is right for you.
Consider Your Daily Diet
The first step to evaluating your relationship with processed food is to consider how much of it you consume. Most people consume massive amounts of food that is made from artificial ingredients, preservatives and GMOs. Like most people, however, you may not give this a second thought. This is the power and danger of the normalization of processed food: it has become both ubiquitous and expected. If you have never questioned the ingredients of your food, you certainly aren’t alone, but now is the time to do so. Your health and wellbeing are on the line in this matter.
Get Informed
Once you have identified the parts of your diet that contain additives, preservatives and generally processed food, you should conduct some research to better understand the effects of these ingredients. You likely won’t be successful in your pursuit of a new diet if it is not backed by an ideological conviction. Familiarize yourself with commonly problematic ingredients, and learn how to identify them even when they are not apparent. If you truly want to separate from the processed food establishment, this is how. You need to know what you are going up against in order to beat it.
Explore Alternative Foods
Though processed food dominates the supermarket, increased awareness has led to a number of great alternatives popping up. Several food startups, such as San Francisco-based Hampton Creek, have stepped in to fill the gap left when shoppers cut out additive-riddled foods. With such options available, you don’t have to sacrifice taste or convenience. To make the transition easier, research what food options are available to maintain the diet you are accustomed. Rather than an entire overhaul, you can make a few simple adjustments. This is a more viable approach for most people exploring clean eating for the first time.
Don’t Trust Labeling
As a naturally inquisitive person, you already know that it’s unwise to take anything at face value if something important is at stake. Your health is at stake when it comes to the foods you are eating, so of course, you should not take marketing and packaging when they claim to be natural or healthy. Familiarizing yourself with nutrition facts and learning to analyze ingredients is the best way to truly improve your diet. With ingredients lists like those found on Hampton Creek products, however, there’s no deciphering or interpretation necessary. What you see is what you get.
Break Away From the Establishment
Processed food has become a dangerous establishment in our country. The vast majority of Americans consume diets that rely on it, but that may change as awareness of its effects increases. If you have decided to rebel against the additives and GMOs the pollute our food, you can do so by following these steps and creating a healthy, cleat diet for yourself. As a rebel, it’s only natural for you to question the status quo, and this is no exception. Don’t fall prey to the lure of processed foods and their promise of convenience or taste. Instead, forge your own path and apply the critical thinking skills you have developed. With the right resources, you can ditch unhealthy foods for good and prove your independence from the big food companies. It may not be easy, but with commitment, it will be well worth the changes you make and the time you spend researching.
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