The beet

100% grass fed, pasture raised, non-GMO, cage-free, all-natural…. The list of claims, like these, can go on and on when reading labels, and for good reason. The demand for total transparency, in regard to what is in our food, continues to increase as we become more health-conscious and informed about what we eat. However, understanding and selecting food based on these transparency claims can leave even the savviest consumer asking, what is the “healthiest” option?

The answer is whole foods. Not the upscale grocery store Whole Foods, but rather, the much less processed foods typically found outlining the perimeter of most grocery stores. They are the foods that have been processed and/or refined as little as possible and are free from artificial additives or substances.

Basically, it’s the difference between a baked potato and French-fry, or oatmeal and an oatmeal cookie. Diets high in whole foods like fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains have been associated with reduced risk of diseases because they are loaded with fiber and antioxidant rich vitamins and minerals. By choosing these whole, “from the source” ingredients, your body receives the best nutrition possible, without the added chemicals.

So, next time you are considering what to have for snack (or breakfast, lunch, or dinner), think wholesome!