Healthy Food List

Let's begin with a list of things to avoid when looking at food nutrition labels:

Unhealthy food list

• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• White/Refined/Enriched Wheat Flour
• Hydrogenated Oil
• Artificial Colors
• Artificial Flavorings
• Preservatives, additives and other "chemicals"
• White Sugar

A fellow mom at our kid's school asked me how to get in shape, and lose some belly fat. My reply was to practice yoga on a regular basis and avoid the aforementioned list. I saw her a year later and almost fell over, I did not recognize her. She was thin, healthy and vibrant looking. I asked her what she had done, her reply "I avoided the foods that you told me to." Enough said.

Due to the toxic nature of modern agribusiness, we try to purchase and grow as much organic food as possible.

Organic means: these foods are produced without the standard array of potentially harmful, environmentally long-lasting agricultural chemicals commonly used on conventional food. Organic vegetables are not as pretty as the conventional beauties, because they have no pesticide protection.

Transitional means: Transitional products have been grown under conditions that meet organic growing standards but lack either the required length of time for the land to be free of chemical usage (36 months) or the process for proper certification has not yet been completed. While not allowed to label their products as organic, labeling as "transitional" allows consumers to support farmers who are moving toward organic certification.

Conventional means: Free use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), sewage sludge, ionizing radiation (irradiation,) toxic chemicals, fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, and harsh chemical fertilizers. Red bell peppers have 14 chemicals sprayed on them on average.

The “Dirty Dozen” Must-buy organic foods (see picture below)

Fruits and vegetables
• Apples
• Cherries
• Grapes, imported (Chili)
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Bell peppers
• Celery
• Potatoes
• Spinach

Based on an analysis of more than 100,000 U.S. government pesticide test results, researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), have developed the “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables. These should always be purchased as organic due to the conventional varieties being laden with pesticides. They cost about 50 percent more — but are well worth the money.

Try to expand these thoughts to products like jam and jelly, ketchup, dried fruits, trail mix,juice. Products that are made with toxic fruits and vegetables are highly concentrated forms of toxins (think of raisins, conventionally grown and full of toxins how many do you eat? Not one or two but hundreds. SCARY The new food pyramid gives pretty basic and health conscious guidelines for choosing healthy foods.

Healthy foods to choose at the grocery store are around the edges of the store. Always begin and linger in the fresh produce areas. Move to the dairy and meat if that is part of your diet. Limit exposure to the "interior" of the store that contains the boxes and cans.

Healthy Food List

Healthy foods are whole, unprocessed and the way nature intended. Avoid temptation to snack on junk foods and "fast" food as they are nutritionally deficient and high in processing related toxins.

A basic list of healthy pantry staples should include:

Although I do not have an opinion on the recommendation for eating meat, I have to mention the "healthy" versions for people who choose to do so as a source of protein.

Properly planning a vegetarian diet is essential to good health. The American Dietetic Association has great guidelines to help.

Peta has a great starter kit for new vegetarians.

Return from healthy food list to healthy eating

Return from healthy food list to yoga poses and beyond