How to Start Eating Real Food without the Fads

How to Start Eating Real Food without the Fads – Angie Cruise Blog

How to Start Eating Real Food without the Fads

Want to start eating healthier, but can’t get past all the conflicting advice? Keep reading for some tips on how to start eating real food, stay healthy, and leave the fads behind.

We’ve all been there. You decide you want to start eating healthier, and suddenly there it is. You’re bombarded with diet advice.

Carbs are poison. No, wait. Fat is poison. Only eat sugar alternatives. No. Wait. Those are horrible for you. You shouldn’t eat any grains. But they’re a great source of fiber, too. Plant based…Paleo…Keto…

It’s all the same. They all have their own sets of rules, usually conflicting with one another, and all swear their way is the

way to be healthy.

Figuring out what to eat, and what to not eat, can often feel overwhelming. I’ve been there, too. Trying to navigate all the diet advice while staying sane almost seems impossible. At least, it feels that way until you go all the way to the root of healthy eating.

Food. Food that’s been eaten for centuries to nourish our ancestors.

Instead of focusing on all of these conflicting diets, why don’t we look at what’s worked for centuries before us?

Today, we’re going to talk about a real food diet. What it is, what it

and some simple advice to show you how to start eating real food and leave those fads (

and the confusion)

Please note that I am not a doctor or medical professional. This post is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any ailment. Please consult your doctor if you need nutrition advice specific to you. Furthermore, this post contains affiliate links, which means I could earn a small commission based on your purchases. To learn more, read my full disclosure

Simply put, real food is food as it’s found in nature. They’re foods that have stood the test of time. It’s what previous generations have eaten for centuries.

Real food is food that nourishes our bodies and supports our hormones, immune system and growth with vital nutrients and minerals. Food that makes us feel

Now, ask your self this:

Does the food I eat do this?

Does it fuel your body? Do you feel

Or, like most people, do you feel bloated, ready for a nap, or maybe a little foggy?

What’s wrong with our food?

I recently read the book

“Food Rules,” by Michael Pollan

recommend everyone read. It’s super quick and easy to get through, and written in language anyone can understand. My husband and I were both able to get through the entire book in just a couple of hours, to give you an idea.

Anyway, in his introduction, Michael Pollan explains populations that eat a “Western” diet (otherwise known as the Standard American Diet, or S.A.D.) consisting of lots of processed foods, added fats and sugars, processed grains, and very few actual fruits and veggies are generally sicker. These populations suffer from diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer – all of which can be linked back to diet.

He goes on to explain that populations eating a more traditional diet generally don’t suffer from these diseases. These traditional diets aren’t one size fits all, either. Some are very high in fats and animal products. Others are very high in carbs. Many are a good mix of both. But, the simple fact remains that these populations are generally healthier than us, regardless of what types of foods they eat.

What we can take from this is that our

diet is making us sick

. Processed foods just don’t contain the same nutrients as real foods from the ground.

But the good news is, people who eat a typical “Western” diet who then go on to eat more traditionally have seen a marked improvement in their health. So there’s definitely still hope.

All we have to do is figure out

to eat, and what not to eat. And since I’m sure that’s what you’re really here for (

just tell me what to eat already!)

, that’s covered in the next section.

What a Real Food Diet Looks Like

A lot of times when people hear the term “real food” they immediately think of the Paleo diet. While that’s not necessarily

-the Paleo diet does consist of all real foods – a general real food diet doesn’t have to eliminate whole food groups.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you

It just means that with the exception of having a medical or emotional reason not to eliminate a food, you don’t have to in order to be healthy.

One of the benefits of eating real food is that, since you’re eating simpler ingredients, you can really start to tell when something makes you feel bad.

Maybe you notice that you break out in horrible acne after consuming dairy, or eating too many grains makes you feel bad. Maybe you’ve got an allergy, or just don’t want to eat something for personal reasons.

you wouldn’t have to eat everything on this list. And, for the sake of not turning this into a novel, this list is not all inclusive. Use this as a jumping off point to explore foods to enjoy that can nourish your body at the same time.

Start eating real food by following this list:

We should be eating meats from animals who ate their natural diets and lived their natural life (aka grass-fed, pasture raised animals), and using as much of the animal as possible, from serving the meats to

making a broth from the bones

Look for eggs labeled free range or pasture raised, and eat their natural diet free from added hormones. Fun fact: In nature, chickens are not vegetarian. Maybe some of the food we feed them is vegetarian, but if they’re free to wander a pasture or field, they will find plenty of other sources food that aren’t vegetarian. Keep that in mind when you’re looking at labels!

: naturally occurring fats are

for us. Look for things like butter, ghee, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, eggs, nuts, and seeds to add good fats back into your diet.

grains vs processed grains. Ancient grains, sourdough, or at the very least, 100% whole grain.

Tip: if you see the word “enriched” that means it’s not a whole grain.

Fruits and Veggies

: Look for seasonal, locally grown produce whenever possible. Check out your farmer’s market, connect with a local farmer when you can, but if you can’t, there are plenty of options at the grocery store!

Spices, herbs, and other seasonings:

whether they are fresh, dry, or ground, look for the most minimally processed options you can. Many pre-packaged seasoning blends contain additives. When you check the label, all you should see is the name of the herb/seasoning. Nothing else.

: Look for full fat, organic, and grass fed as much as possible. (“fat free” typically equals added sugars to replace the flavor the fat gave). If you can find a good source for raw milks that you trust, that’s even better!