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Banning Processed Foods without Living at the Grocery Store: A How-To Guide

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Whatever their views on other foods, all experts can agree upon the benefits of choosing whole foods over processed foods. When you fill your diet with real foods you are getting greater nutrient levels and fewer chemicals and undesirable ingredients.

But even with all the benefits a whole foods based diet can give you, their shorter shelf life is one thing that can be a drawback to many of us who are short on time. Yes, those artificial preservatives in processed food may not be good for our health or waistlines, but they do allow you to leave items in the pantry on the fridge for virtually endless amounts of time. Don’t give up though; even if you can’t get to the grocery store multiple times throughout the week, you can still fill your kitchen with the healthy, whole foods you need to have a nutritious, balanced diet. Here’s how:

1. Make Your Ingredients Multi-Taskers. Prevent fresh foods from going bad by using them in multiple meals. For example, saute spinach as a side at one meal, have it in an omelet for breakfast, toss it in a smoothie for a snack, and use it for the base of your salad for another meal. By getting creative with reusing your ingredients you’ll have less waste, and still enjoy a variety of flavors and dishes!

2. Get Creative about Freezing. Some fresh foods can be tossed into the freezer as-is and then thaw out perfectly later on, but just because a food can’t be put directly into the freezer doesn’t mean you can’t freeze it. Try washing, deseeding, chopping, blanching, or baking to make some foods freezer friendly.

3. Pick Whole Foods that Have Naturally Longer Shelf Lives. Some fresh foods can stay fresh in your kitchen longer than others. While foods like spaghetti squash can’t rival the staying power of processed foods, they can stay fresh on your counter for a couple of weeks before needing to be cooked allowing you to buy several without rushing back to the store.

4. Packages Aren’t Always Evil. It’s true that a wrapper is a good clue that what’s contained inside the package is highly processed, BUT there are a few exceptions to this. Frozen veggies are great to keep in your freezer all the time, and wild caught canned fish is an easy protein to keep on hand.

5. Make Sure You Are Storing Foods Properly. It seems like keeping foods in the fridge is an easy way to automatically extend their shelf life. While this is often the case, it is not always the case. Be sure to check to make sure you are storing your fresh foods in the optimal places to keep them fresh. Consider these options that might be tempting to refrigerate, but will actually fare better on your counter or in your pantry: basil, onions, sweet potato, baking potatoes, and tomatoes.


Author: Coach Kim

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