Less is More
Ingredients, ingredients, ingredients. Paying attention to ingredients is increasingly important. We get food and supplement products from all over the world nowadays, but do we really know where the ingredients come from and what lies under the “hard to understand” ingredient names?
We can all make it easy on ourselves when buying food. Single ingredient food is the the way to go. Fruits, vegetables, grains and lean proteins. There are even challenges with single ingredient food especially if they are not organic. Where did they come from? How were they processed? How were they grown or fed? How much more complicated does it get when you purchase a packaged item with numerous ingredients, some of which you cannot even pronounce? Well…let’s say, “supercalifragilisticexpialidociously” more complicated.
With the mass production of food, manufacturers are trying to decrease production costs and one of the easiest ways is to decrease the cost of packaged foods is through cheaper ingredients. How is that done? Unfortunately, most often in a laboratory where they mix plant, chemical, organic and inorganic ingredients together to get that special taste that we all seem to be craving or purchase because it is less expensive. The list of ingredients on some packaged foods require a masters degree in science to understand. Should we be buying food that we don’t understand? Thrown on the shelf not to nourish our family and friends but to make a profit. I say a big resounding NO!
We have gotten used to the ease of buying ready made products because we say we are busy. I know the drill…work all day, come home late and have to feed the family. Don’t have time to make a meal from scratch so that packaged pasta dish or pre-made burgers sure sound good at that point. What is the result of this habitual ritual? Are we really doing right by our families? What are the consequences?
I am not here to make any decisions for you, but I can tell you in my experience, “less is more”. The least amount of ingredients is the way to go. And if you can stick to purchasing mostly one ingredient foods and start making your own combinations, your body will thank you by running well fueled. I hear often, “Well, we are all gonna die someday.” I understand that…but do you want to experience old age being able to do whatever you want because your body is able or do you want to live to whatever age suffering from ailments that make living a challenge? My goal is to live to 140 years old. Yes, a lofty goal but hoping my body appreciates all the label reading, the organic single ingredient foods and the healthy lifestyle I strive for. I guess we will all see how it ends up at some point. Hope you are all around to dance with me at my 140th birthday party.
Really, my hope is just that you become more aware of your choices, make better choices and live healthy. Good habits are not created in one day. You can start today by eating one meal made with single ingredient foods. Progress a little at a time if that is what is needed. I know you can do it!
Thank you for reading,
Pia Civiletti, The Sassy Italian Lady
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