Myth: You should eat lots of foods labeled
"Enriched with vitamins and minerals"
Some of the processed food packages proudly boast the fact that
they are enriched with vitamins and minerals-- it is common,
especially in breakfast cereals. What does the statement really
mean? Many people assume that if the food has added vitamins and
minerals, it is healthy. But, this understanding is far from the
truth!
Most of the foods that are enriched with vitamins and minerals are
highly-processed foods that have been stripped of the life-giving
nutrients that the body needs. The natural ingredients are
transformed in the manufacturing process, they are subject to high
heat and such rigorous processing-- so much that they are lacking
in nutrients to feed your body. This processing removes the
naturally occurring nutrients, and since those nutrients are gone
the manufacturer adds in a handful of vitamins.
These added vitamins are VERY minimal compared to the nutrition
that is derived from natural, unprocessed foods. Nothing beats the
real thing! :)
So, when you are consuming the boxed, processed foods you are
eating calories that no longer contain the nutrients that your body
needs. They are empty calories, and your body is unable to use the
food to get the nutrition that it needs to be healthy! And to make
it even worse, many of these processed foods have added sugars and
chemicals-- which are hard on your digestive system and leave you
feeling tired and icky.
When you eat foods such as whole wheat and other whole grains in
their purest form, you will be able to gain the highest benefit
from the nutrients contained within the plant-based food. The
natural form of these grains contains the necessary nutrients that
your body needs, along with fiber (which is very beneficial to your
health).
Some of the whole foods (in their natural, unprocessed form)
contain hundreds of vitamins and minerals which help your body to
grow strong. So when you compare that to the processed foods that
have only 10-15 manufactured forms of vitamins and minerals, you
can see that the "enriched with vitamins and minerals" foods do noteven compare to eating the real thing.
You are much better eating a whole, unprocessed food. Don't let
yourself be tricked into buying these "nutritious" foods with added
vitamins and minerals-- because they will not give your body the
nourishment that it needs to thrive!
Instead, you should choose to eat whole grains and an abundance of
fruits and vegetables. Next time you are tempted to grab that box
of puffed & processed cereal for breakfast, instead substitute it
with a bowl of oatmeal and some fruit. Or you can eat some whole
grain toast with a bowl of fruit. There are also many yummy granola
cereal options that have been minimally processed, just make sure
the read the label to avoid eating high amounts of sugar.
It takes some time to get used to eating whole grains instead of
processed foods, but it is well worth it! You will stay full
longer, eat less, and find that your health will improve as you are
focusing your eating on the natural forms of food.
With Love,
Becki :)
The Everyday Health Girl
P.S. If you need some delicious and nutritious whole foods recipes,
please visit: http://everydayhealthgirl.com/
