Avoiding Processed Foods Requires You To...???

[Rezzy7]

Some of my friends and I are gradually eliminating more and more processed foods, they more so than I.

It made me wonder, to take this "all the way", wouldn't you have to...

...Make your own juices
...make your own corn chips
...make your own bread
...make your own peanut butter
...make your own candy bar

as well as grow your own fruits and veggies to ensure they're untainted?

So, does anyone have a recipe for Doritos? cuz I like those. MSG. Mmmmm.

[russianrocket]

It's your decision to want to eat juices, corn chips, bread, peanut butter, candy bar.

If you want to avoid processed food lol then don't eat those things.

[Agota]

I think it's pretty easy to make your own juices and bread, though

[votoshka]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

It's your decision to want to eat juices, corn chips, bread, peanut butter, candy bar.

If you want to avoid processed food lol then don't eat those things.

Yup, that's the common sense answer!

Of course, you can sometimes buy products like juice and bread that don't contain added rubbish, but they'll cost a lot more.

[Rezzy7]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

It's your decision to want to eat juices, corn chips, bread, peanut butter, candy bar.

If you want to avoid processed food lol then don't eat those things.

Well, of course it is my choice to eat those things; that's part of the premise of my question that I want to eat a corn chip sometimes. There are many things that mother nature doesn't "grow" that are delicious.

Originally Posted by Agota

I think it's pretty easy to make your own juices and bread, though

Sure, but nowhere near as easy as buying it at the store. I mean, do people really want to make all of their own...everything? That's a LOT of time and effort.

A girlfriend once brought over a huge bucket of lemons from her tree, and I squeezed them by hand and made almost 2 gallons of lemonade. It took like an hour, including cleanup.

[stanmrak]

Yes... any food that comes in a package also comes with an unknown variety of undesirable traits. Even something as simple as orange juice. They want you to think that the juice comes right out of the orange and into the container. Hardly. Did you ever wonder how they get the juice to taste exactly the same, every time, all year round?

Orange Juice Facts: Is This a Healthy Way to Start Your Day?

Lots of things go into a processed food that you'll never know about because it doesn't have to go on the label. None of them are good. MSG, found in most fast food and processed food, can be disguised by using any one of 30+ different pseudonyms for it.

Everyone focuses on the calorie, fat, salt, sugar and carb content, but it's the chemicals that do an equal amount of damage.

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by Rezzy7

Well, of course it is my choice to eat those things; that's part of the premise of my question that I want to eat a corn chip sometimes. There are many things that mother nature doesn't "grow" that are delicious.

Sure, but nowhere near as easy as buying it at the store. I mean, do people really want to make all of their own...everything? That's a LOT of time and effort.

A girlfriend once brought over a huge bucket of lemons from her tree, and I squeezed them by hand and made almost 2 gallons of lemonade. It took like an hour, including cleanup.

That's my point tho. If you want to eat corn chips sometimes, then eat corn chips sometimes. They aren't gonna kill you. If you want to eat non processed, then you either make it yourself, tho it's not gonna taste the same, or you live a life with out corn chips.

Plus, you enjoy the food more if you made it yourself, and you won't be pigging out on it, they way you would with a cheap bag of processed sliced potatoes. Just gotta figure out what's worth more to you. Your time or your health.

[Rezzy7]

Originally Posted by stanmrak

Yes... any food that comes in a package also comes with an unknown variety of undesirable traits. Even something as simple as orange juice. They want you to think that the juice comes right out of the orange and into the container. Hardly. Did you ever wonder how they get the juice to taste exactly the same, every time, all year round?

Wait, I've got sour-ish oj from the same brand sometimes. So even that they're not keeping the same. Thanks for the link.

Lots of things go into a processed food that you'll never know about because it doesn't have to go on the label. None of them are good. MSG, found in most fast food and processed food, can be disguised by using any one of 30+ different pseudonyms for it.

I've become more sensitive to MSG whatever the name, though not anything like a lot of people who can't tolerate any. Still, added msg is not something I want to eat a lot of!

Everyone focuses on the calorie, fat, salt, sugar and carb content, but it's the chemicals that do an equal amount of damage.

double true. I think I'm one of those less worried about fat and calories than about random chems. bleh.

[Rezzy7]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

That's my point tho. If you want to eat corn chips sometimes, then eat corn chips sometimes. They aren't gonna kill you. If you want to eat non processed, then you either make it yourself, tho it's not gonna taste the same, or you live a life with out corn chips.

Ok I get what you mean. Chips are one of my staple foods, though! I guess if I'm gonna make my own tortillas I can make my own chips, too.

Plus, you enjoy the food more if you made it yourself, and you won't be pigging out on it, they way you would with a cheap bag of processed sliced potatoes. Just gotta figure out what's worth more to you. Your time or your health.

Yeah I won't be pigging out because it's so much work to make more!

[Agota]

Sure, but nowhere near as easy as buying it at the store. I mean, do people really want to make all of their own...everything? That's a LOT of time and effort.

A girlfriend once brought over a huge bucket of lemons from her tree, and I squeezed them by hand and made almost 2 gallons of lemonade. It took like an hour, including cleanup.[/QUOTE]

It's not that weird when you think about the fact that it takes much more time to prepare a healthy meal for yourself than to eat ramen noodles from a pack or buy McFood in a drive-thru, yet for some reason, people still cook their own meals. I'd love to make my own juice, bread, pasta, whatever I can make myself, although I'd buy the equipment that makes this easier

[Clint Cora]

Well, here's a thought - just to answer the original question - at least in my case.

Avoiding processed foods requires you to ... enjoy the cost savings resulting from purchasing mostly raw ingredients instead

[LoudSilence]

I'm blessed to not crave chips of any kind but if I loved doritos and couldn't live without them like it sounds is an issue for you, then let yourself enjoy your chips and focus on minimizing processed foods in all the others areas that you can. You'll be less frustrated and still improving your overall health. I haven't looked at Whole Foods (if one is in your area) or other sources, but there are probably some brands that offer seasoned tortilla chips like a dorito that are made with somewhat better ingredients. There is a farm a few hours from me that makes awesome tortilla chips from the corn they grow.

I have reduced the amount of processed foods in my diet, but I would go nuts (personally) if I tried to eliminate them entirely. For instance, I cook my own meals based on fresh, organic produce, herbs/spices (some home grown) as often as possible. And I try to buy bread and other common staples from brands that process their foods in as minimal manner as possible (that doesn't mean they really do, there's a trust factor involved of course). Now I have a sweet tooth and I do indulge in sweets and processed foods and want to enjoy myself when I eat out once in awhile. By knowing that I focus on minimizing processed foods for most things I eat, I am still doing better for my body in the long run.

[firenexx]

Most people find that the chemicals often used in processed foods tend to be addictive. MSG in particular, but chemically modifying salt, sugars, and fats not only makes them more shelf-stable, but also more addicting to our dopamine receptors and taste buds. Eliminating these chemicals and instead eating whole foods as God intended will eventually cause you to stop craving these chemicals, since craving is really a sign of malnutrition and/or addiction.

[Agota]

Do people go through withdrawal when they cut the amount of processed foods they eat?

[ChrisGinsburg]

Originally Posted by Agota

Do people go through withdrawal when they cut the amount of processed foods they eat?

I did quite a bit.

[Clint Cora]

I didn't.

[stanmrak]

If you saw the movie Supersize Me, about a guy who ate nothing but McDonalds for a whole month, you probably remember the part when the filmaker begins to get withdrawal symptoms hours after a McDonald's meal. Eating more McDonalds relieved the symptoms.

While his doctor was concerned about the fat and sugar the guy was eating, it really was the chemicals that were causing the symptoms, and they never flashed on that.

[forexpreneur]

Sorry but it is extremely difficult to totally eliminate processed foods these days. Unless one eats raw (or slightly steamed at most) vegitables and fruits only, a person is going to find they still have processed foods in their diet especially if a person ever gets out of their house and eats out.

[C33]

If you eat organic versions of the processed food, you should have no problem.

Organic corn chips are way better tasting than Doritos. You also feel satisfied faster with food that has clean ingredients.

[forexpreneur]

Originally Posted by C33

If you eat organic versions of the processed food, you should have no problem.

Organic corn chips are way better tasting than Doritos. You also feel satisfied faster with food that has clean ingredients.

Yes you are correct about that, but they are still processed.

[stanmrak]

Originally Posted by C33

If you eat organic versions of the processed food, you should have no problem.

Organic corn chips are way better tasting than Doritos. You also feel satisfied faster with food that has clean ingredients.

If you leave the processing of your food, however minimal it may seem, to someone else, you have no idea what's been done to it. Not everything is going to be revealed on the label. The USDA organic label is the only label that really means anything at all — those foods will have the highest standards and regulation of any.

[Clint Cora]

Originally Posted by forexpreneur

Sorry but it is extremely difficult to totally eliminate processed foods these days. Unless one eats raw (or slightly steamed at most) vegitables and fruits only, a person is going to find they still have processed foods in their diet especially if a person ever gets out of their house and eats out.

This is very true. But even if you cut out all those premade dinners and a lot of the packaged goods, you will still improve. I don't believe for myself that I have to cut out 100% of all processing - in fact I don't believe that I have to cut out 100% of anything since I don't believe in extreme diets.

But just some common sense on eliminating premade meals and pizzas and that sort of thing will still get you further ahead.

[EvolveWithFlavor]

If it was as easy as switching one day from the processed foods to delicious Superfoods, life wouldn't be so interesting, would it?

You are dealing with the accumulated impulses and brainwashing of living in a modern society that basically does not value what you put in your body, PERIOD.

Recognize what that is and begin to work around it. Start with one thing, see when you get sick of it, and then try to make an adjustment.

Try and Fail, Try and Fail... I can't emphasize this enough. It's the only way you will figure out how to make the transition, because it's not easy. I love how people think that their food choices should somehow fix themselves without any real effort or hard thinking, most of all.

Ultimately, I think eating the right stuff should feel effortless and just inherently RIGHT.

I can tell you too, it has alot to do with the influences you surround yourself with - be that television, friends, etc, all the stuff under your control.

It sounds like you might want to try a few more books or educational resources too.

You are at the stage (and I see this alot, in myself sometimes still too), where you kind of realize that something is wrong with how you are eating, but you use kind of a "smartass" or "whatever, I like this bad food" attitude to make yourself feel good about your poor choices.

[Agota]

I think people stop themselves from progress by overcomplicating things.

You don't need to drop ALL processed food in order to eat healthier, you can make small improvements here and there and it will be much better than no improvement at all. Instead, people get caught up in thinking about how they should drop all processed food and how difficult would that be and end up making no changes at all.

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by Agota

I think people stop themselves from progress by overcomplicating things.

You don't need to drop ALL processed food in order to eat healthier, you can make small improvements here and there and it will be much better than no improvement at all. Instead, people get caught up in thinking about how they should drop all processed food and how difficult would that be and end up making no changes at all.

that's how I am with everything lol damn all or nothing mentality!!

[Agota]

Me too, I'm trying to catch this thinking pattern and make more reasonable decisions

[Rezzy7]

Originally Posted by Agota

although I'd buy the equipment that makes this easier

Yeah. I don't want to do it manually next time, for sure. She won't be bringing any lemons anymore, thought, having moved.

Originally Posted by Clint Cora

Avoiding processed foods requires you to ... enjoy the cost savings resulting from purchasing mostly raw ingredients instead

It seems like when I try to prepare my own eats from the raw ingredients it costs much more in the end. Maybe if I had my own garden with every veggie I want?

Originally Posted by LoudSilence

I loved doritos and couldn't live without them like it sounds is an issue for you, then let yourself enjoy your chips and focus on minimizing processed foods in all the others areas that you can. You'll be less frustrated and still improving your overall health.

This is what I'm doing for the moment, and I think gradually moving to more and more "natural" ingredients.

I haven't looked at Whole Foods (if one is in your area) or other sources, but there are probably some brands that offer seasoned tortilla chips like a dorito that are made with somewhat better ingredients. There is a farm a few hours from me that makes awesome tortilla chips from the corn they grow.

Thanks. On my paycheck, I am not much a fan of WholeFoods' pricing philosophy. "Healthy" alternatives to Doritos don't have MSG, which is what sets Doritos apart, imo.

I'm just using Doritos as an example of a highly processed/over-flavored snack chip. I'm not addicted to them, but I like the flavor, and I can't replicate at home.

I would really prefer that Frito-Lay reduced the flavoring they put on Nacho Cheese Doritos by half, because over the years they seem to have added more and more, and I really want to still be able to taste the corn!

I think I agree with your point reducing rather than trying to eliminate all processing (aside from going totally raw or vegan).

Originally Posted by C33

If you eat organic versions of the processed food, you should have no problem.

Organic corn chips are way better tasting than Doritos. You also feel satisfied faster with food that has clean ingredients.

Well, I'm not trying to feel satisfied when I eat a snack chip, it's like mouth entertainment.

Originally Posted by forexpreneur

Sorry but it is extremely difficult to totally eliminate processed foods these days. Unless one eats raw (or slightly steamed at most) vegitables and fruits only, a person is going to find they still have processed foods in their diet especially if a person ever gets out of their house and eats out.

Thanks, yes, I agree.

[Rezzy7]

Originally Posted by EvolveWithFlavor

If it was as easy as switching one day from the processed foods to delicious Superfoods, life wouldn't be so interesting, would it?

Yes! Actually, the switching would be easier if healthy foods were more easily obtained. I mean, without my own big garden and without me having to always prepare everything myself. I'm no busier or lazier than anyone else, I don't mind effort, but I don't enjoy having to do that every time I want to eat something.

The deal is, sellers of certain convenience foods knew that most people would accept convenience without questioning ingredients, and for so many years took advantage of this aspect of behavior. Brainwashed, I don't know, but I am definitely influenced by what is available at the store or restaurant, and what is not. Yeah, it is a matter of learning and educating oneself about what is healthy and what should be avoided.

More than having a whatever tude about just wanting to eat a thing, I'm observing if my body gives me clues about what not to eat. If eating a Kit Kat doesn't do anything, AND I like it, I'll eat it sometimes.

Originally Posted by Agota

You don't need to drop ALL processed food in order to eat healthier, you can make small improvements here and there and it will be much better than no improvement at all.

Don't be silly! ALL processed food must be DESTROYED! Ok, you're right. Good point.

Originally Posted by russianrocket

that's how I am with everything lol damn all or nothing mentality!!

ALL must GO!

[forexpreneur]

Originally Posted by Clint Cora

This is very true. But even if you cut out all those premade dinners and a lot of the packaged goods, you will still improve. I don't believe for myself that I have to cut out 100% of all processing - in fact I don't believe that I have to cut out 100% of anything since I don't believe in extreme diets.

But just some common sense on eliminating premade meals and pizzas and that sort of thing will still get you further ahead.

Absolutely agree with you 100%. That is actually what I was hinting towards but I have a very odd way of going about it.

[C33]

O.P you talk about mouth entertainment and the term is spot on.

Just like popular entertainment doesn't want you to think, your mouth entertainment is controlled by people who don't want you to taste.

Processed foods are addictive, which is why you want more and more of them.Popular T.V is addictive as well.

If you eat like the masses, you will think like the masses and vice-versa.

Also, fast food is a solitary pleasure. You don't have the sense of communion that people used to have when eating together some slow food. Most of the time, people eat fast, processed food in front of the t.v.

Food is not supposed to be entertaiment, but the media have done a good job in making us think it is. It's supposed to be nourishment and can be a great pleasure of life.

The way you think about food has been manufactured. You are eating food that has been specifically processed so you become addicted to it.Your body starts malfunctioning, which affects your brain and the ability to think clearly.

Ultimately this is your choice. If you decide to avoid processed food, you will have a period of withdrawal that lasts for about a week.

Years ago I cured myself from bulimia that had been brought by eating processed food. I chose to eat organic food, and yes, it cost me more, but the bulimia was gone within 2 months.

It might taste good but it's not good for you. A pack of tortilla chips at WholeFoods is not that much more expensive than a pack of Doritos.