Processed Foods
Processed foods are transformed in some way from their natural state for many reasons, such as convenience and safety. Methods of processing include canning, freezing, refrigeration, dehydration, and aseptic processing (pasteurization). While some processed foods, like dehydrated fruit, are close to their natural state, other processed foods may contain artificial flavors, monosodium glutamate (MSG), trans fats, and preservatives.
Some processed foods, like white flour products (white bread), are even fortified and enriched to add vitamins and minerals lost during the refining process. White flour in particular lacks fiber and becomes sticky in the intestines. This weakens the large intestine and creates constipation as well as clogged thinking.
While supplements can be beneficial to some people, it is far better to get vitamins and minerals from natural foods. In fact, the American Dietetic Association, the American Medical Association, and the National Institutes of Health all recommend calcium-rich foods rather than pills as calcium sources.
Processed and refined foods and supplements, although derived from whole foods, do not retain the same energy as whole foods that contain all the essential nutrients in balanced proportions to harmonize with the body's needs. Eating seasonal, locally grown food also allows the body to adapt to the climate and environment and become more energetically balanced. However, eating processed foods that are inappropriate for the climate and region often leads to weakness in the organs, so that the body becomes more susceptible to disease.
Because whole foods are unprocessed, they are a more natural way of eating. When you eat fresh, vibrant whole foods, you radiate life energy. This energy not only revitalizes you, it also helps you connect with nature in a deeper, more meaningful way.
