5 reasons to eat more whole foods

Are you feeling tired all the time or out of tune with your body? In this post, I list 5 reasons to eat more whole foods for your overall health.

1. Incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet
   
   Most of us grew up hearing that eating fruits and vegetables was healthy. But how much do you eat them now that you are most likely cooking for yourself?
   
   I always thought that I ate healthily and ate enough fruits and vegetables but after changing my lifestyle, I realized that I wasn't consuming that much variety.
   
   Learning some plant-based recipes will definitely help you level up your veggie and fruit game.
   
   

2. Know the ingredients
   
   Becoming a mom and having health issues made me take a deeper look at the foods my family and I were consuming. When you buy packaged foods, although it is very convenient, you give the ownership of the ingredients to the manufacturer. I've learned food manufacturers don't always have the best interest in our health. Often the products are mass-produced and made with cheaper ingredients to cut costs.
   
   The quickest way to ensure the quality is to make your own. This way you have full control of the ingredients and know what you put into your body.
   
   

3. Know your "Why"
   
   A lot of people think that eating plant-based is limiting and we are hungry all of the time but if you ever tried eating this way for a while, you will soon realize how freeing it is to eat this way.
   
   The biggest reasons for eating a plant-based diet for me are environmental issues and animal welfare. Being able to know my why early in my health journey changed my mindset and helped me view this as a lifestyle and not as a short-term diet. Knowing your why helps you continue on your path even if you receive criticism from family and friends.
   
   Environmental issues are very urgent these days. More people that can transition to a plant-based diet or predominantly plant-based diet will be a big help in stopping the rate of the crisis.
   
   

4. Have a healthy relationship with food
   
   Although I have not experienced any eating disorder or gone on a crazy short-term diet in my life, I have cut down calories or exercised harder to look a certain way before special events, also experienced weight gain due to poor choices of food during my teenage years.
   
   Post changing my lifestyle, I've learned the importance of eating healthy fats and a well-balanced diet by incorporating many varieties of plant foods which led me to a stable and healthy weight. There are so many fad diets that promise you quick results but I believe that how you reach your healthiest body is through having the right knowledge about foods you put into your body and eating a well-balanced diet.
   
   

5. You are what you eat - eat for a healthy mind and body
   
   Just as the saying goes, what you put into your body affects not only your physical health but also your mind. Your gut is connected to your brain so when your gut is not healthy, you can experience mental issues also. I wonder how many people may overcome mental issues naturally when they incorporate whole-plant foods into their diets.

TO SUMMARIZE…

I truly hope that if you happen to come across this blog post, you will get inspired to look deeper in your lifestyle.

Each day when we wake up, we are given a choice in how we feed our bodies.

I hope I made you curious about what positive changes will happen when you eat more whole foods!