Eliminating processed foods and following low glycemic diets are very effective ways to slow down the aging process. Food processing and cooking deplete food of nutrients, so processed food and meat are not healthy choices for an antiaging diet.
What’s So Bad About Processed Foods?
You’ve probably heard this a million times, that processed foods are causing obesity, colon cancer, diabetes, ect. But you have probably wondered why processing of foods would cause so many problems.
The problem with processed foods is their “glycemic effect ” on your body. These foods raise blood sugar much more quickly than whole foods, triggering a bigger insulin response, which causes fat storage, inflammation, and other problems.
Also, certain chemical additives act as “excitotoxins” which can damage or alter normal brain function.
Commercial food processing basically does three things:
- Increases shelf life (which increases profits)
- Alters taste and texture
- Makes eating the food somewhat addictive
Remember that “real food” tends to spoil or go bad when it is not eaten right away. If something can sit on a shelf for weeks at a time and still be edible, then you know it’s basically devoid of any nutrition, and not really ….”food!”
The problems with processed foods and meat are:
- Lower Nutrient Content
- Lower Fiber Content
- Chemical Additives, trans fats, MSG, and HFCS (high fructose corn syrup)
All these things work against you when it comes to health and your efforts to slow down aging. Eliminating processed foods will lower your risk of chronic disease right across the board!
Here are some things to avoid:
- Trans fats
- Anything that says “hydrogenated or “partially hardened”
- Vegetable oils, bromated vegetable oils, or shortening
- High fructose corn syrup
- MSG (mono-sodium-glutamate) an “excitotoxin”
- Gelatin
- Yeast extract
- Malted Barley
- Hydrolized protein
- ”Natural flavors”
- Rice Syrup or Brown Rice Syrup
At home, food processing and cooking is under YOUR control. You can choose what to add to your food, and how it is cooked. Some health food experts advocate raw foods, but to be on the safe side, some food really should be cooked to destroy harmful bacteria that could make you sick.
Eliminating Processed Foods
You can get away from heavily processed foods with a little effort. The result will show in your waistline, energy level, and the way you feel on a daily basis. The best way is to go slow and move in small steps:
Shop on the perimeter of the supermarket – where the “real food” is
Read labels carefully and note what is in the food you are buying
Pick foods that have real quality ingredients without added chemicals
Use natural spices to liven up the taste of unprocessed foods
Let your taste buds gradually get used to foods without the additives
Be sure to eat meals on a regular schedule so that hunger does not make you crave processed food and meat
Less Food Processing – Better Health
Remember that the purpose of commercial food processing is to maximize profits NOT provide you with healthy food choices. You will have to be really aware of what you put in your body.
Food processing and cooking should be kept to a minimum in order for your health to be at it’s maximum! By eliminating processed foods little by little, you can begin to take back your health and ensure your longevity!
