The whole foods diet is becoming more and more popular lately. It is less of a strict diet focusing on counting calories, weighing portions, or completely cutting carbohydrates. Instead, whole foods are fresh fruits and vegetables, lean oils, and whole grains. Rather than worrying about how many points your lunch is or how many servings of a source of calories you have had in a given day, you are changing your eating habits. You are learning to eat natural foods in their natural forms. It is about avoiding preservatives, processed starches, unhealthy fats, refined sugars, and other unnatural chemicals. Simply limiting or removing unnatural foods from your diet may enough for some people to lose weight and have more energy.
One of the fastest, cheapest, and most portable options while on a whole foods diet is having smoothies for meals. Smoothies allow you to eat plenty of natural fruits and vegetables, avoid meats or other unhealthy fats, and avoid refined sugars and other unhealthy starches. These smoothies are very easy to make at home. Simply buy a powerful blender and keep a fresh supply of fruits, vegetables, and possibly some ice or milk or a nondairy substitute.
There are many forms of smoothies. One of the healthiest is the "green smoothie" or one that has added leafy greens and other milder flavored vegetables. These smoothies are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and even the omega 3 fatty acids that some vegetarians or vegans may have trouble eating enough of. There are many choices for additions to a green smoothie. A few of the more common ones are collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, mustard greens, swiss chard, turnips, lettuce, and alfalfa sprouts.
When using vegetables in smoothies, remember to look for ones with a mild flavor. And be sure to always use the freshest possible produce. Some greens tend to get a dark color, slimy texture, and a very bitter flavor as they get older. Since you are eating these vegetables raw and with little, if any, sweeteners like agave or turbinado sugar, you want to avoid these bitter flavors and strange textures if possible. Rinse your greens thoroughly after buying them and store in sealed bags with a little paper towel to absorb any moisture and keep them in the vegetable box of your refrigerator.
If you prep your greens beforehand, it is just a matter of throwing a handful of them in with your smoothie every morning. For the rest of the smoothie add fresh fruits, any flavors like vanilla from the actual beans or real extract, and as little sweetener as possible. For extra protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants you can always add in supplements or even other foods like avocados. For a creamier texture you can add milk or yogurt. If you are avoiding dairy there are whole foods friendly substitutes like rice, almond, or coconut milk. For an icy texture add either ice cubes or a handful of frozen fruit.
Homemade smoothies are a great addition to any whole foods diet. They are fast, cheap, portable, and are incredibly customizable. The options are limitless, they taste amazing, and it can be a great way to get even children to eat vegetables. And best of all, you do not need a complicated recipe. Just add things that sound good and remember to keep it healthy and keep it in line with your whole foods diet.
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