Whole Foods

I actually mean whole foods (foods with only one ingredient) not the store.

If you are trying the mini-pledges listed here (Commit to a Healthier You), then today starts:

Week 5: Try two new whole foods –

Try a minimum of two new whole foods that you’ve never had before.

This should be a fun week, because you're not trying to cut anything out of your diet. You're adding in the good stuff! If you haven't started the mini-pledges, take the week 1 plunge today and see if you can eliminate (or reduce) processed foods from your diet. Commit to a healthier you with foods that fuel your body!

I just took a break to eat my breakfast and it reminded me that natural peanut butter is a whole food! If you've never tried real peanut butter, then do that this week. You can buy it in jars (the ingredient list will say PEANUTS), you can make your own or check at your grocery store because some have a peanut or almond grinder in the store. You can even take your own jar (get it weighed first)!


Here's info from the 100 Days of Real Food blog, about whole foods:

Some examples that you’re hopefully familiar with are apples, potatoes, brown rice, whole-wheat flour and spinach. Some other whole foods that are a bit less common are as follows:

• Quinoa (pronounced “KEEN-wah”)
• Barley
• Parsnips
• Kale
• Collard greens
• Steel cut oats
• Papaya
• Brussels sprouts
• Black-eyed peas
• Chickpeas
• Bok choy
• Swiss chard
• Radicchio (pronounced “rah-DEE-kee-oh”)
• Spaghetti Squash
• Watercress
• Dates
• Kiwi
• Eggplant
• Pomegranate (and having the juice in a martini does not count!)
• Fava beans
• Lentils
• Spelt
• Pine nuts
• Star fruit

Action Item: On your next visit to the grocery store, pick out two new fruits, vegetables or grains to try. If you have no idea how to cook or eat or peel them, go online for recipes and how-to videos. Or call your Mom! No excuses.

For Further Reading: What Exactly Are Whole Foods? and The Benefits of Healthy Whole Foods