Unless you are growing and raising your own food, most of what we consume on a daily basis has been processed, changed, prepared and packaged in some way, before we buy it. This goes for all foods, including those labeled “natural” or “organic." So, what is the correct balance? If you consume a lot of highly processed foods, you risk getting too much sodium, added sugars and unhealthy fats. But not everyone can raise animals and have a garden — or even cook a simple meal from scratch every day — due to space and time.

A recent study in England had two subject groups. One group (A) was fed highly processed foods over a two-week period. Group (B) was fed assorted whole-muscle proteins and cooked vegetables for the same time period. Both groups were allowed to consume as much food as they would like to intake. Group (A) gained on average 5 pounds of weight where as group (B) lost an average of 3 pounds. The study said that Group (A) on average consumed more calories and ate on average one and half more times the amount of food than group (B). The point is that there is a crave factor involved with higher processed food as opposed to eating healthier and finishing when feeling full.

So, what does this mean for all of us?

First off, I have to look within. For me when I read about that study, I immediately started doing an inventory of that day’s intake and the past week's snacks and meals I had consumed. For the most part, I’d say it was on the minimally processed side and fairly balanced, although I still have to work on portion size. They say the older you get, the harder it is to lose weight. I’d say that’s a pretty damn accurate statement.

How about you? Do you find in your weekly breakfast, lunch and dinners that you are eating more or less highly processed foods? When you shop, what do you try to buy? Is it organic chicken with the farmer's market veggies that might be wilting in your fridge (good intensions)? Or is the to-go mac & cheese with smoked BBQ brisket drawing you in? Be honest. If you like brisket on your mac & cheese as much as I do, it is a tough call. Knowing the facts doesn’t always make it easier to choose the healthier path, especially when that path often takes more time — or will power — than we have available.

The question this week is: How do we find the balance and what defines “balance” in your daily world?

Live well…

Finding balance with food choices

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