Every time you turn around there is a new ad claiming their miracle product will cleanse your system, reduce your cancer risk, increase your metabolism and protect your heart. Most people aren’t fooled by theses snake oil salesmen, but would you be surprised to hear that there really is something that can defend against heart disease, bone loss, diabetes and cancer? It doesn’t come in a vial or bottle, and it is available to everyone. It’s eating well!

Eating well does not mean counting calories and restricting your favorite foods, it means choosing healthful, whole foods most of the time. 
Think back over the last week. How often did you dine out for breakfast, lunch or dinner? How often did you wander to the vending machine in the late afternoon? Foods provided by restaurants or processed, packaged and sold in stores, are often high in saturated fat, refined carbohydrates and salt and low in vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Foods that are high in saturated fat, refined carbohydrates and salt are very desirable and the food industry knows they can keep you coming back for more. What is less known is that while these foods are full of calories, they are almost completely devoid of nutrients. It’s like filling your car’s gas tank with water, sure your meter reads full but nothing is happening. And just like water in a car’s gas tank damages the car, so too are these foods high in saturated fat, refined carbohydrates and salt damaging your body. 

Your body was designed to run on the “high octane” of foods: whole grains, lean proteins and fruits and vegetables. These foods are known to promote healthy hearts, bones, brains…well your whole body runs better on these whole foods. There is a lot of scientific evidence that points to healthful eating as one of the strongest tools we have against the diseases that are affecting America, and many of these diseases like cancer and heart disease are directly correlated with overweight and obesity. To ensure the health of you and your family, begin the shift toward healthful whole foods and away from fatty, salty and overly sweet processed and packaged foods.