Practical Ways to Nourish Your Body and Increase Whole Foods Consumption
- Identify your body’s needs. A physical therapist can provide basic information regarding your macro and micronutrient needs, while a registered dietician identifies and treats nutritional deficiencies. Both can be helpful.
- Learn to shop the grocery store and read a food label. Most whole foods can be found on the outer perimeter of the store. Once you get what you want from the perimeter, shop the isles and focus on low-ingredient, minimally processed items.
- Crowd out, don’t cut out. Instead of throwing out every processed item in your fridge and pantry, slowly replace items with whole foods and minimally processed ingredients over time. Take it slow!
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to make access to them easier. Wash fruits, chop vegetables, and cook large batches of grain all at one time to make ingredients more accessible throughout the week.
- Start with breakfast. It is the most simple meal and a nourishing breakfast will give you a strong start to your day.
- Keep dinner recipes simple and start with what you like. The best whole foods are the ones that keep you coming back for more.
- Meal prep and batch freeze for easy meals, which can be helpful when you are low on time, energy, or motivation.