I walked through the Wickham Farmer\u2019s Market yesterday afternoon with a friend and, after buying a beautiful bouquet of organic kale, we looked at all the goodies the vendors had on display. \u00a0\u201dBread,\u201d I said, \u201cI miss bread.\u201d \u00a0I told him I eat very little processed food now. \u00a0\u201dWhat is considered processed food?\u201d \u00a0he asked. \u00a0Good question. \u00a0Usually anything with a label of ingredients that has been through a cooking process. \u00a0A can of soup is processed. \u00a0Bread and pasta are processed, snack foods are processed, cookies, crackers, chips, pastries, candy, box dinner mixes are all processed. Most contain sugar, salt and wheat, some are gluten free. \u00a0It\u2019s all processed. \u00a0So what is not processed? \u00a0Fresh fruits and vegetables are not processed. \u00a0Most meats are not processed, potatoes are not processed. \u00a0Dehydrated fruits and veggies have been through a process, however I consider them unprocessed. \u00a0I eat the occasional can of soup, pasta or Joseph\u2019s oat bran and flax pita, but it\u2019s not every week.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
I find when I eat something like a sandwich every day for a week, my digestive system gets sluggish from all the bread and I feel slowed down. \u00a0If I make my own sandwiches using giant romaine leaves for the bread, that\u2019s the deal. \u00a0If I eat a can of my favorite Campbell\u2019s Chicken Noodle Soup, within minutes my sinuses will clog up for an hour. \u00a0I like it so I still eat it.<\/p>\n
I find it easiest these days to just decide on a protein (chicken, fish, sardines, beans, tofu, an egg) and then decide on a vegetable of each color (a handful each of chopped tomato, kale, yellow squash, orange pepper.) I grill or saute the vegs then serve on a bed of spinach or romaine and toss my protein on top. \u00a0Sometimes I cook a half a potato in chicken broth and throw the meats and vegs in and eat it like a soup. \u00a0I used to eat a baked potato every day, with only salt and pepper. \u00a0These days I like eating lighter. The benefit is that at age 60 I\u2019m healthier, lighter and more fit than I was at 50. That\u2019s the plan and I work the plan.<\/p>\n
RELATED: \u00a0Depression linked to processed food <\/p>\n
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