Most of us know by now that there isn’t some hidden, secret way to lose weight and stay healthy. It’s all about what we put into our bodies. If you are eating healthy portions of whole foods, your body will get back on track. Staying active and fueling your body the right way is the best way to reach and maintain a healthy weight.

Still, companies are making millions off of special diets, weight-loss pills and waist trainers. Millions of consumers will do anything – pay any price – for a “quick fix.” They want to lose weight, but they want to lose it right now. They aren’t willing to change their lifestyle to shed the extra pounds that are weighing them down.

The Harsh Truth

As much as we might try to deny it, what we eat matters. If you feel great after burning 1,000 calories in a spinning class, only to stop at McDonald’s on the way home for a Big Mac because you deserve it, don’t be fooled into thinking those calories you burned cancel out your greasy dinner. It just doesn’t work that way. Even if you opt for a small fry and a small Coke, you are literally undoing all of your hard work at the gym. Why? Because processed food cannot replace real, whole foods.

The Common Eating Mistake You Might Be Making

Millions of Americans live a hectic lifestyle. Your daily routine might include packing lunches, getting the kids to school, battling traffic to get to work on time and a busy day at the office. 5:00 rolls around and you’re left to battle more traffic. You’re almost home when you realize you forgot to make a stop at the grocery store. You’re exhausted, it’s late and you still have to help the kids with their homework. So what’s the easiest solution? Fast food.

Fast food makes sense, for millions of people. People who are busy, tired or in a hurry. People who are simply craving a salty meal. The problem is, when we start choosing processed foods over real, whole foods, our body suffers. Processed foods are loaded with salt, sugar, trans fats and hundreds of excess calories. They also contain little to no vitamins and minerals. Processed foods not only lead to weight gain, they also cause your health to suffer.

Eating A Whole Foods Diet

Forget the weight loss pills and the magic diets. The only way you’re going to lose weight and get your health back on track is if you ditch the processed foods and stick to a whole foods diet. Your body needs real foods. Your body needs vitamins and minerals from whole, unprocessed foods. Not only will you lose a few pounds by making the switch, you’ll also notice how much better you feel. Processed foods can make you feel sluggish, fatigued and weighed down. Getting energy from whole foods will revitalize your body, give you energy and renew your health.

If you ending up opting for fast food or frozen pizzas because you don’t have time to cook, it’s up to you to find the time. Your health depends on it! Use Sundays to prepare healthy meals for the week. Ditch the junk food in your home that might be tempting to you. Keep only whole foods in your house to help you stay on track.

In the video below, food journalist Michael Pollan explains how the food industry deceives us into buying their processed, unhealthy products.

Learn more about what healthy foods to eat in the video below:

Sources:
Collective Evolution
Authority Nutrition
Dr. Mercola