The Transition To A Whole Foods Diet

Are you thinking about changing to a whole foods, plant-based diet? For the best results, for most people, take it slow and make a few small changes over time. This not only allows you and the other family members time to become adjusted to the change of selections, it also usually resolves the mutiny from your digestive system itself.

But remember this, with each step you take, this is absolutely a 2 step process you must adhere to. Don't forget to make your transition by:

1. Eliminating the harmful foods now in your current diet
2. Always choose a healthy alternative to replace it with

Following these two stages will result in a markedly improved healthier and more energetic body in your near distant future.

Harmful Foods To Eliminate

How do you know what is harmful when you are in the grocery store?

The easiest way, ask yourself these three questions. If your selection passes all three tests, go ahead and place it in your cart. You are probably safe to consider that item as a part of your new whole foods lifestyle.

• Check the ingredient label of every package you pick up. If there is a list of food dyes or colorings, additives and preservatives (most of these are all those names you don't recognize), artificial sweeteners or any added flavorings, put the item back on the shelf.
• Over-processed food ingredients which our digestive system no longer recognizes as food includes white flours, white rice, white pastas, alternative sugars or artificial sweeteners etc.. Avoid them all.
• Comfort foods for most people all fall into the same category. These include "crutch foods" we use to make us feel better, happier, wake us up, give us energy, reduce our stress, provide relaxation or any type of product used as a mood-enhancing agent. Coffee, teas, artificial sweeteners, ice creams, cookies, cakes and pies, candy or low quality chocolate selections... this list can just keep going on and on. These are all nothing but a wrapper full of calories with very little to no nutrition. Coffee and tea varieties must be handled carefully because these are a form of diuretics in the body. Over-consumption can lead to a whole host of other health complications.

Although every one of these types of food products do solve an immediate need in your body, none of them are doing anything to prolong your dream of better health.

Your Choice Of Healthy Alternatives

Now you know what to eliminate, here is what you add back. Remember though, each day as you remove one avoidance food (group), add back a healthier alternative which your digestive system accepts as a true food.

• alternative grains such as buckwheat, quinoa, millet, oats, almond flour or coconut flour or if you are not gluten sensitive look for all 100% whole grains
• raw nuts and seeds
• fresh organic fruits and vegetables
• fresh legumes and beans
• good quality lean sources of protein
• good quality monounsaturated fats or saturated fats (such as extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil) which are sourced directly from nature (no man-made processing was utilized to change any of its characteristics)

While this process may seem so slow and labor-intensive, with time and patience the day will come when you and your entire family realize you are now more energetic with fewer aches and pains, you are actually losing weight (without even trying) and you have fewer doctor's appointments or trips to the pharmacy for minor illnesses and inconveniences.

So, initially, following a whole foods diet plan is going to take some time and effort on every member of the family.
But once you learn this style of offering your body what your ancestors used to thrive on, you will soon realize all the common everyday inconveniences you used to be so tired of, none of these are any longer a part of your life.