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This is a country obsessed with food. Unfortunately, as South Beach Diet founder Dr. Agatston says, we are an overfed and under-nourished nation. Our grocery store shelves and freezers are stuffed full of processed foods that contain chemically altered ingredients and fillers that are thought to contribute to overeating, increased body fat and diet-related health problems like diabetes and heart disease. Why are processed foods bad? They offer no real nutritional value. The foundation of healthy living is a sound nutritional diet with healthy meals and exercise. Eating should be enjoyed and you should be able to eat a variety of whole foods in your diet. But for optimum health you need to consider a diet of mostly whole, natural foods. “Whole foods” are those that have not been modified from their natural state, or have slightly been modified through cooking. Foods that have been modified are known as “processed foods.” Eating a diet of whole foods, like nuts, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and lean protein allows your body to process and use the food much more efficiently. Whole foods are high in fiber and nutrient-dense, are more flavorful and much less fattening than processed foods because they don’t contain added sugars, sweeteners, additives, preservatives, coloring, flavoring, salt or fats. The more a food is processed, the more of its nutritional value is lost. It may seem like eating healthily may cost more, but it doesn’t. Processed foods can actually cost more than natural, whole foods. The key is planning your diet. To best maximize your dollars, preplan a week’s worth of menus and healthy meals. Not only does this save time and money, it eliminates multiple trips to the store that result in unplanned spending. Here are other tips to help you eat better without costing you more.
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