You're Pantry Is Full Of Crap
Processed Foods Versus Paleo Foods
You're Not That Good Of A Cook
What makes up a healthy meal? Can you answer that question?
You might be able to because you are here at Paleo [Evolved], however the sad truth is that most people obviously can’t or 35% of Americans wouldn’t be obese (1). Your friends need to read this…
I’m going to tell you a secret; just because you cook at home doesn’t mean it’s healthy.
While cooking at home is a better choice than eating out, the truth is that it’s not that much better.
I hate to say it, but the food in your pantry is crap. I’m guessing it’s packed full of processed foods that make for a great shelf life, but these are foods I wouldn’t even feed my dog!
You might be able to because you are here at Paleo [Evolved], however the sad truth is that most people obviously can’t or 35% of Americans wouldn’t be obese (1). Your friends need to read this…
I’m going to tell you a secret; just because you cook at home doesn’t mean it’s healthy.
While cooking at home is a better choice than eating out, the truth is that it’s not that much better.
I hate to say it, but the food in your pantry is crap. I’m guessing it’s packed full of processed foods that make for a great shelf life, but these are foods I wouldn’t even feed my dog!
Why Processed Foods Suck
You fall for these foods because they’re labeled as “whole grain” and full of “fiber” which your fat doctor suggested you eat more of.
The bottom line is that the more a food is processed the fewer nutrients it will have.
Ever wonder why processed foods say “enriched” with certain nutrients? Why do you think bread is always enriched with iron? It’s because they’ve stripped away all the good stuff only to leave behind cardboard so you can fill it with other processed foods like deli meat, mayo and a pickle slice (a so-called “healthy” sandwich).
The bottom line is that the more a food is processed the fewer nutrients it will have.
Ever wonder why processed foods say “enriched” with certain nutrients? Why do you think bread is always enriched with iron? It’s because they’ve stripped away all the good stuff only to leave behind cardboard so you can fill it with other processed foods like deli meat, mayo and a pickle slice (a so-called “healthy” sandwich).
You Don’t Want To Read This
The problem with processed foods doesn’t end with nutrient removal.
It gets worse when manufacturers add harmful substances to your food without you realizing it. The list of hidden ingredients includes HFCS, unhealthy trans-fat, MSG, and other carcinogenic chemicals to make the food more appealing to you and to extend shelf life. I don’t need to explain why these chemicals are bad for you.
So not only are these substances making you fat but they’re also leading to sickness and disease (even cancer).
It gets worse when manufacturers add harmful substances to your food without you realizing it. The list of hidden ingredients includes HFCS, unhealthy trans-fat, MSG, and other carcinogenic chemicals to make the food more appealing to you and to extend shelf life. I don’t need to explain why these chemicals are bad for you.
So not only are these substances making you fat but they’re also leading to sickness and disease (even cancer).
Paleo Versus Processed | A Better Approach
The difference between your diet and the paleo approach is about absorption. Paleo foods are nutrient dense and full of fiber which leads to the food being slower to digest (compared to processed foods). This forces your body to work for multiple hours to digest the food which will spike your metabolism the entire time!
Now think about processed foods. With all of the nutrients and fiber removed, your digestive system metabolizes the processed food very quickly and like a champ!
This sounds like a good thing, but in reality this means that rather than your metabolism being boosted for several hours, processed foods will only boost your metabolism for a fraction of the time – leading to fewer calories being burned through the thermic effect of food!
This means that not only are you ingesting harmful substances but you are also setting yourself up for unwanted fat gain!
The paleo diet makes your food work for you! Strategically choosing the right paleo foods will keep you satiated for hours and also keeps you burning fat as oppose to storing it! This benefit is two-fold as you will be able to avoid over eating while burning fat the entire time!
Now think about processed foods. With all of the nutrients and fiber removed, your digestive system metabolizes the processed food very quickly and like a champ!
This sounds like a good thing, but in reality this means that rather than your metabolism being boosted for several hours, processed foods will only boost your metabolism for a fraction of the time – leading to fewer calories being burned through the thermic effect of food!
This means that not only are you ingesting harmful substances but you are also setting yourself up for unwanted fat gain!
The paleo diet makes your food work for you! Strategically choosing the right paleo foods will keep you satiated for hours and also keeps you burning fat as oppose to storing it! This benefit is two-fold as you will be able to avoid over eating while burning fat the entire time!
What to Do Now
Do you need to go remove all the box potatoes and pasta from your pantry right now? Probably not (I would though).
What you should do is start thinking about the amount of energy you require for today and think about which paleo foods would best suit that need!
If you are going to be at work all day (sitting down) a healthy meal would consist of healthy protein and a great source of healthy fat to keep you full and energized all day. You wouldn’t need many carbs as you won’t be moving around much since you’re working all day.
A great breakfast would be some scrambled eggs with onions and peppers, matched with half an avocado. These foods will be slow to digest and keep you full until afternoon! Cook those eggs in coconut oil to get some healthy medium-chain triglycerides!
Now let’s pretend it’s Saturday and you’ll be going on an afternoon hike. You know you will need more energy than what’s required than a normal work day, so you include hash browns with your eggs for some extra carbs.
The eggs will provide healthy protein and fat for sustained energy; however the added carbs will be quicker to digest and be a better fuel source for your hike. They key here however is that the potato has natural fiber included so those carbs will provide more sustained energy as opposed to a quick burst of energy from a can of soda.
You need to start thinking like this if you want to be awesome and ripped. The great thing is that the paleo diet simplifies this for everyone!
To get ripped and be awesome you have to first invest in yourself! The first investment should be a trip to the store to get some healthy paleo foods!
What you should do is start thinking about the amount of energy you require for today and think about which paleo foods would best suit that need!
If you are going to be at work all day (sitting down) a healthy meal would consist of healthy protein and a great source of healthy fat to keep you full and energized all day. You wouldn’t need many carbs as you won’t be moving around much since you’re working all day.
A great breakfast would be some scrambled eggs with onions and peppers, matched with half an avocado. These foods will be slow to digest and keep you full until afternoon! Cook those eggs in coconut oil to get some healthy medium-chain triglycerides!
Now let’s pretend it’s Saturday and you’ll be going on an afternoon hike. You know you will need more energy than what’s required than a normal work day, so you include hash browns with your eggs for some extra carbs.
The eggs will provide healthy protein and fat for sustained energy; however the added carbs will be quicker to digest and be a better fuel source for your hike. They key here however is that the potato has natural fiber included so those carbs will provide more sustained energy as opposed to a quick burst of energy from a can of soda.
You need to start thinking like this if you want to be awesome and ripped. The great thing is that the paleo diet simplifies this for everyone!
To get ripped and be awesome you have to first invest in yourself! The first investment should be a trip to the store to get some healthy paleo foods!
Bonus Tip
A tip to avoid processed food is the "rule of 3".
Any food that must go through more than three steps of processing is a no-no food. Follow that rule and you'll be good to go!
P.S.
I break this rule all the time. There is no way I am putting down my protein shakes! I guess the difference here is that I am strategically choosing the type of protein and pulsing them at the right time. There is a difference between a protein shake and pasta-roni.
Any food that must go through more than three steps of processing is a no-no food. Follow that rule and you'll be good to go!
P.S.
I break this rule all the time. There is no way I am putting down my protein shakes! I guess the difference here is that I am strategically choosing the type of protein and pulsing them at the right time. There is a difference between a protein shake and pasta-roni.
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Are there any foods you just can't give up?
Comment below! |
