Refined Foods and Processed Foods

Processed and refined foods are harmful to your health. They do not provide your body with the nutrients it needs for optimum health.

When you take food in its natural state and alter, process, refine, and package it, it loses a lot of valuable nutrients. It loses vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phytochemicals, and antioxidants.

You may find yourself buying canned goods, ready made foods, frozen dinners and other processed foods because they are convenient and easy to prepare. You may like the fact that they can last on the shelf of your pantry for a very long time.

Processed and refined foods may even taste great to you. Or you may actually crave them from time to time.

But what about the nutritional value of these foods? What are these foods giving you aside from hidden ingredients, mystery ingredients, empty calories, and a long list of additives? Not a whole lot.

If you are in the habit of eating a lot of processed and refined foods, here are some problems that may start to happen:

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar Levels)
Highly processed foods tend to be high in sugar. The sugar gets into your bloodstream much faster than your body can cope with it. This rise in your blood sugar level causes your pancreas to produce too much insulin.

Too much insulin causes your blood sugar level to go down too much. When this happens you may start to feel weak and tired. That feeling may have you reaching for some quick processed food to get your blood sugar level up again.

This forms a very vicious cycle which weakens your pancreas and wrecks havoc on it.

Even more damage is done to your pancreas when you do not eat the foods that supply it with the specific nutrients it needs to do its job properly.

Destroyed Enzymes or Low Enzyme Levels
Your body needs enzymes to break down food. You need enzymes for other functions as well.

Raw, natural foods are full of enzymes. Processed and refined foods are depleted of enzymes because high heat temperatures are used when they are being prepared and processed. Baking, canning, frying, and pasteurizing destroy enzymes.

If you don’t get enough enzymes, you will not be able to break down and absorb all the nutrients found in your food. A lack of enzymes can cause unassimilated protein, carbohydrates, yeast cells, and fats to be reabsorbed into your blood stream. They can also put a strain on your body’s ability to function at an optimal level.

Chronic Constipation
Refined and processed foods often do not contain enough fiber.

If you don’t get enough fiber, you won’t be able to eliminate wastes properly. Fiber helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, and control weight. It helps to prevent gastrointestinal problems such as gallstones, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and constipation. Fiber also helps to prevent certain cancers.

Toxic Buildup
If you are not eliminating wastes fully, you will get a buildup of waste over time. This will leave you feeling literally sick and tired. This toxic buildup is a breeding ground for a variety of diseases.

Aside from these problems, eating a diet rich in refined and processed foods may leave your taste buds unwilling to appreciate the taste of unrefined fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, and legumes.

Fortunately, this can change over time if you’re willing to make the effort.

Choose Healthy Eating Instead

When your body is being fed all the nutrients it needs, you may discover that you don’t have to eat as much to be full and satisfied. That’s great news if you’re worried about an expanding waistline or if you’re trying to lose some weight.

Healthy eating is also great because it can save you a lot of money on your grocery bills. You may think that fruits and vegetables are too expensive, but make the comparison and you will see that they are a lot cheaper than buying prepackaged and processed foods. Your health is worth it!

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