Food Fabrication

You may have never asked the question “What is food made of?”, but the answer will change the way you think about and choose foods.

All foods have varying amounts of:
1. Fat
2. Protein
3. Carbohydrates
4. Fiber
5. Water
6. Vitamins & minerals
7. Additives (if the food has been processed with them)

Americans these days are eating too much of ingredients 1-3 (where all the calories are) and not enough of 4-6, which is why Americans are called “overfed but undernourished.” How do you get more of the good stuff while cutting down on the other? It’s easy and not surprising: eat more fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean meats. These foods are naturally high in water, fiber, vitamins and minerals, which is why they are more filling per calorie than other foods.

Processed foods generally have the least water, fiber, vitamins and minerals because these things are removed or destroyed during processing. For the next few days try thinking of your food as the components that make it and see how it affects your choices. For example, a salad is just a big pile of water, fiber and nutrients!

Is your mouth watering?