Weighing in on homemade vs. store bought food (2024)

by: twright

Posted: Sep 28, 2015 / 08:51 AM EDT

Updated: Sep 28, 2015 / 08:51 AM EDT

Jonathan Stott of The Children’s Workshop discusses the important differences between homemade vs. store bought food.What are Processed Foods?

Processed foods are foods that have been compromised by the addition of hormones, additives, preservatives, or other chemical treatments that alter or destroy the natural nutrients our bodies need
The main goal of food processing is to lengthen the shelf life of foods so that larger amounts can be sold over time.

What are the differences between whole foods and processed foods?

Organic food is clean, safe, health-promoting, contains no synthetic chemicals, and are grown in a way that is as natural as possible
Processed food is any food that has been altered from its natural state in some way, either for safety reasons or convenience.

How can you tell if food is processed?

If the ingredients contain chemicals you cannot pronounce it is most likely processed.
Avoid boxes, bags, and cans. For example buy a fresh loaf of bread from the bakery rather than packaged white bread.
Shop on the outer edge of the store- this is where you will find produce, meat, eggs, dairy, and seafood.

Benefits of Eating Home Cooked Meals:

Eating at home allows you to control the ingredients in your food, so you can use natural ingredients instead of unhealthy processed foods.
Processed foods, frequently served in restaurants or available in pre-made meals from the grocery store, tend to be high in sodium, fat and added sugars.
Eating homemade foods lets you add in more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diets so that you can focus on all-natural ingredients

How can you include whole foods in your daily routine?