Can Packaged Food Be Healthy?

I’m asked all the time about what we eat during my online group program, Nourish: 21 Days of Clean Eating. I’m also asked how my program compares to Whole30, 21 Day Fix, or other group programs. My program is different from these programs for a few reasons. For one, we are learning about food in an inclusive way, not by what we give up. What I mean by that is, we focus more on what we ARE eating vs. what we aren’t. We also don’t give up foods simply because they’re packaged or because some pseudo-science tells us they are going to destroy our health. We know better than that.  Which brings me to reason two….

There’s me: a real-life health professional with degrees and credentials and over 15 years of experience actually working with individuals and groups on how to get healthy. I say this because I think it’s important. I’m not trying to sell anyone on my own lifestyle or product. I’m there to provide expert guidance based largely on proven, evidence-based information, with some practice-based wisdom thrown in for good measure. I can do this because I’ve actually worked with hundreds and hundreds of people over the last decade and a half. I’ve partnered with physicians, physical therapists, personal trainers, and psychologists to get their clients and patients healthy. Bottom line: this is my profession. You can trust that I have a valid reason for what I recommend, I have your best interests in mind, and I care deeply about your health.

And finally, In Nourish we eat more than just veggies and meat. We actually eat grains, beans, some dairy, and other packaged food. We don’t eat a ton of packaged food because a majority of it is made with too much sodium, fillers, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, additives and other unsavory ingredients. I’ve written about this before. But not all packaged foods are unhealthy. In Nourish, I teach you what to look for on a nutrition label and why; I teach you how to read the ingredient list like a pro. Once you learn this, you can see that many packaged foods are doing it right and are vital to achieving and maintaining good health. Let’s take a look….

Danielle’s List of Clean Eating Packaged Food

Canned Food

• Dried beans may be best, but canned or boxed beans are a great alternative. Rinse and drain them before eating to remove added sodium and you are ready to go. Steamed lentils are a great choice as well and are super convenient.
• Canned tomatoes
• Canned tuna (or tuna in pouches)
• Canned salmon

I recommend BPA free cans, whenever possible. Here’s why.  For a list of food companies who are and are not using BPA in their packaging, click here.

Whole Grains

• Oats: oats and other grains have to be processed in order to eat them. Oats are also one of the most studied grains in terms of their health benefits. Oats contain a special type of heart-healthy fiber that has been proven to reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad stuff).
• Quinoa: (during Nourish, I emphasis whole grains first, whole grain flours second. This means choosing quinoa over quinoa pasta, fresh oat vs oat cereal, etc.)
• Whole Grain Rice: (choose plain (unseasoned) rice that has been minimally processed. This includes wild rice, brown rice, red rice, black rice, brown basmati and brown jasmine rice)

RX bars + Lara bars (I love these bars; they are relatively natural, with no sugar added)

Natural nut butters (with no sugar or chocolate added)

Nut milks

Chia Seed

Hemp Hearts

Ground Flax Seed

Vinegar

Oil (choose unrefined, heart healthy oils like extra virgin olive oil, coconut, flaxseed, peanut, and avocado oil)

Salad dressing (look for olive oil based, no sugar added versions)

Frozen fruit

Frozen veggies (without added sauces)

Eggs

Pre-chopped veggies (eat these quick though, they don’t stay fresh long)

Shelled edamame

Miso paste

Tempeh

Frozen salmon / fish

As you can see, you can eat quite a bit of healthy, packaged food and still feel good about your health. Of course this is not an exhaustive list and there are definitely other packaged foods that are healthy and Nourish-friendly.

If you want to learn more about how eating clean, whole food effects your health, mood and overall wellness, join us this September for Nourish: 21 Days Of Clean Eating and find out! Registration opens September 1st.

Join my weekly eblast HERE to get advanced notice of Early Bird pricing.