If I ask you if you eat real food, you will probably say yes. Of course, you do not eat artificial food. If I ask you if you eat processed food, you may give me a different answer. Some processed food contains artificial ingredients. They can also be high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and trans fats. None of these ingredients are ideal for your health. You should consider making real food a staple in your diet.

There is not a total consensus regarding what makes up real food. Most dietitians consider real food as food that is not processed, free of chemical additives, and rich in nutrients. Food packaged with healthy ingredients can be considered real food. Do not be tricked by the “all natural” label on food packages. Read the ingredients to determine if the food is healthy.

Consuming real food has overall health benefits. Real food contains antioxidants that support heart health. Eating real food can assist with maintaining a healthy weight. It contains fiber that can lower blood sugar levels. Eating sustainable real food is good for the environment and some of it is cheaper than processed foods.

Fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, dairy, eggs, meat, fish, seafood, nuts, and seeds are considered real food. Some people believe you should purchase organic fruit, vegetables, and meat. Since organic is expensive another option is to purchase locally grown fruit and vegetables which are usually cheaper.

If you decide you want to consume mostly real food, you do not have to eat the same things repeatedly. Consuming real food can be exciting. There are a lot of real food options available. You can get creative with meals and find recipes online for dishes made of real food.

I know processed food is convenient and some of it taste good. If you consume it, you should do so in moderation. Processed food to eat in moderation includes packaged bread, processed cheese products, breakfast cereals, frozen meals, cakes, pastries, crackers, chips, sausage, bacon, candy, ice cream, and sodas. Some of my favorite food is on the list of unhealthy processed food. I do my best to eat mostly healthy real food with occasional treats. You may think that you cannot eat real food 100% of the time. What about 75%? You can start a journey to improve your eating habits and gradually improve in time.