Kale

I've already gone on record as calling kale "the new beef" for its vast array of nutrients, including protein, fiber, essential vitamins (A, C, E & K), minerals, and antioxidants. When in doubt about what vegetable to eat, go to leafy greens like kale (spinach, chard, and collards are excellent choices, too). Green foods help to alkalize our bodies as no other foods can. This can neutralize all the coffee, alcohol, and sugar we consume. If you're not already eating leafy greens daily, try working on them now. They sauté and stir fry easily and can be added to just about anything.

Berries

Like leafy greens are a great go-to for vegetable options, berries are one of the best choices in the fruit department. They're less sweet than most other hybridized fruits like bananas or grapes; and they're a terrific opportunity to up your intake of essential vitamins like beta carotene and vitamin C, as well as powerful antioxidants that have been shown to decrease the risk for certain types of cancer. That's berry delicious!

Broccoli

A cousin of kale (both are members of the brassica cabbage family), broccoli has some of the many benefits found in kale. Vitamins and minerals along with plant compounds that can boost immune function and prevent free radical damage, broccoli is a top food choice. Not only is broccoli healthy, but it's fun to eat (like little trees!) and incredibly versatile. Try it steamed, sautéed, or pureed into a creamy soup (go vegan for the healthiest "creamy" version).

Sweet Potatoes

While we typically only gorge ourselves on these gorge-worthy tubers during the holiday season, you can find sweet potatoes available year-round. And they're absolutely worth every bite: sweet potatoes contain large amounts of beta-carotene, which is excellent for your skin (and can help boost immune function). They're a great source of soluble fiber, protein, vitamin C, calcium, and iron, too.

Spinach

Whether you eat spinach raw or cooked (or somewhere in between), you're doing yourself a huge favor. This delicate leafy green is quite the powerhouse. It's a wonderful source of daily iron, bone-strengthening vitamin K, B vitamins including folate, and it's also an excellent source of plant-based omega fatty acids, which play a crucial role in managing inflammation, healthy brain function, and gorgeous, glowing skin.

Olives

Olives are fruit! And while we don't eat them fresh off the tree, we can eat them pickled, or include them in our diets in their most common form: oil. The olive is a stupendous source of healthy monounsaturated fat, which can help us to maintain a healthy weight (yes, fat can do that!). Olives are also loaded with minerals, like magnesium, that can also help to protect our hearts and cardio functions. You're also getting a wide range of powerful plant polyphenols found in olives that may reduce your risk for certain types of cancer.

Bottom Line

Eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods goes a long way for health. Be sure to pick up some of these foods next time you're at the store.

Image: Whole Foods Market

The post The 6 Healthiest Fruits and Vegetables to Eat Today appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

Mealtime is a perfect opportunity to indulge in superfoods-be they fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, beans, or grains. Need a little help? Check out our top superfoods picks:

Kale

It tops quite a few lists for good reason. This dark, leafy green vegetable is a hearty superfood and an excellent choice for any meal. It's a great source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, protein, amino acids, and antioxidants. Plus, it's very affordable and versatile.

Hemp

The hemp seed has risen to popularity in the last several years as a super source of vegan protein and omega fatty acids as well as fiber, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and potent antioxidants. Use it in a number of ways: atop cereals (hot or cold), salads, soups, desserts, or straight out of the bag.

Coconut oil

After debunking myths that coconut's saturated fats were unhealthy, the creamy spread has become a superfood darling. It provides healthy omega-6 fatty acids including the rare lauric acid. Its versatility and ability to withstand high heat make it an excellent choice for any healthy food meal preparation. Choose Fair Trade options and you're supporting a changing global economy focused on empowerment and environmental balance in undeveloped parts of the planet.

Read more about coconut oil

Flax or chia seeds

Like hemp seeds, flax and chia are both great sources of fiber and omega fatty acids. Chia is higher in protein and can absorb a large amount of liquid-making them extra hydrating. They both can be used in a number of ways: by themselves, as egg replacers, in baked good recipes, and more.

Maca

This Peruvian superfood was prized as "warrior" food for its history of providing energy for soldiers before battle. Not only is maca energizing, but it's balancing too. This is especially helpful for individuals with hormonal issues. It's also rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins making it an excellent addition to smoothies, shakes, or taken as a supplement.

Almonds

Dr. Mercola says, "Almonds, in particular, are rich in phytochemicals; plant components that promote heart and vascular health." They're a great source of nutrients like vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, fiber, and protein. Just make sure they're raw and organic!

Chocolate

Yeah, I thought you’d like that one! But it's not on this list for a smile; it's here for good reason… pure, dark chocolate is loaded with vital nutrients including the important mineral magnesium. Raw cacao contains more than 1, 200 unique compounds, many of which are powerful free-radical fighting immune-boosting antioxidants. Of course, it matters what type of chocolate you eat. Don't try to justify that bag of M&M's! Stick with the really dark stuff-70 percent or higher, or try including raw cacao beans into your diet. Mix them into cereal, baked goods, trail mixes; add them to smoothies or shakes, and they're even delicious straight out of the bag!

Read more about the benefits of dark chocolate

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Image: Nick Harris 1

The post The 7 Most Super 'Superfoods' appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

1. DIY Oral hygiene

No one wants bad breath, or worse, a cavity. Bad oral hygiene has been connected to serious health issues including gingivitis and heart disease. You can have an impeccably clean mouth by using all-natural chemical-free products. A "toothpaste" can be made with baking soda, a bit of water, and an antiviral essential oil like clove, cinnamon, or thyme. Rinse your mouth with salt water, a drop or two of essential oils, and a splash of vinegar instead of alcohol-based, artificially colored mouthwash.

Read more about making your own toothpaste

2. DIY Shampoo

Can you believe that just 100 years ago, people rarely washed their hair more than once a month?! It's true. But we've been convinced that daily hair washing is best. It actually causes a lot of damage-stripping the hair of healthy oils. Further, most shampoos, even those marketed as organic or natural, contain harmful chemicals. Try washing your hair instead with a mix of vinegar, lemon, and baking soda. (One-part vinegar, 2 parts baking soda, half part lemon juice. It should be thick and pasty. Massage it into your scalp.) You can also mix it into a castile soap like Dr. Bronner's. Or, if you aren't able to give up your shampoo completely, try a 50/50 blend. But most important of all, decrease your hair washing to just once a week or less! It may take some time for your scalp to balance out-excessive washing away of the sebum oils means excessive production. But once you allow those oils to do their thing, your hair will be naturally less oily.

3. DIY Conditioner

In cultures around the world, oil is used on the hair to condition and nourish. Coconut, avocado, sesame, and almond oil are great at moisturizing hair and scalp. You can leave it in or wash it out. Even if you're not ready to give up your favorite conditioner just yet, your hair-especially if the chemically treated-will benefit from the healing effects of a good oil treatment.

4. DIY Lotion

Commercial lotions are made by 'whipping' oils much in the same way mayonnaise is made. They're stabilized with chemicals and scented with fragrance. You can easily skip all that nonsense by going straight to the moisturizing goodness: the oil. Shea butter, cacao butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil are just a few excellent options. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils for a natural fragrance if you like.

5. DIY Deodorant

Antiperspirants are made of harmful cancer-causing agents that try to prevent your body from performing an important and natural function. While preventing perspiration is not recommended, you can "deodorize" your armpits, naturally. Baking soda makes a wonderful odor absorber. If you sweat lightly, spraying essential oil-scented water may be all you need. In a 2 oz spray bottle, mix 50-75 drops of your favorite oils with water. Spray.

Read more about natural deodorants

6. DIY Natural facial care

Women love their facial care products, but many of them are not only ineffective and even damaging-they're hella expensive, too. Regardless of your skin type-oils are cleansing, moisturizing, and balancing. Try these three ingredients for glowing skin: wash with apple cider vinegar (or a gentle castile soap), cleanse/moisturize with jojoba or coconut oil, and get a fabulous glow with sea buckthorn oil. Get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water, and look better than ever! Really!

Bottom Line

Many conventional body care products can be replaced with simple DIY solutions that are better for you.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

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1. Quinoa

If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, quinoa is a must. And it's a good idea for you meat-eaters, too, because quinoa is a fantastic plant protein-more than any other grain (although, technically, quinoa is a seed). It’s a great source of B vitamins, all nine essential amino acids provide an excellent boost of fiber, iron, and calcium. Cook it like you would rice and serve it much the same way as well. Try it as a pilaf or even in the morning in place of oats.

2. Millet

A lesser-known grain herein the U.S., millet is consumed in quantity throughout Asia and Africa. It is gluten-free and has an alkalizing effect on the body as well. While less protein-rich than quinoa, it's still an excellent source-about 15 percent protein per serving. It's good food for remineralizing-containing high levels of iron, magnesium, and potassium.

3. Lentils

You can't go wrong with the lentil as it is one of the healthiest legumes. This quick-cooking legume provides fast and plentiful protein (about 17 grams per serving), a healthy dose of soluble fiber and micronutrients including folate, B6 and magnesium. Because they cook so quickly and don't require soaking, it's a good staple to always have on hand for a fast and healthy meal. Try them in soups, stews, with grains such as quinoa or over pasta.

4. Black Beans

They're a favorite in Cuban and Mexican dishes, and a good choice to add to any meal. Black beans are a great protein source at about 8 grams per half-cup serving along with nearly as much fiber. This low-calorie, versatile bean is also an excellent brain food, too. Black beans contain anthocyanins that have been shown to boost brainpower. Think about that over a black bean burrito!

5. Oats

Eat that bowlful every morning and you're getting a fiber-rich start to your day, which can keep you feeling full and satisfied until lunch, and less likely to reach for that mid-morning donut. Oats contain a strong fiber called beta-glucan that can help to reduce cholesterol levels. You're also getting minerals such as manganese, magnesium, and selenium as well as B vitamins in every serving.

6. Pinto Beans

Fiber and protein-rich pinto beans are also loaded with minerals including phosphorous, manganese, iron and potassium. As well, they're a great resource for B vitamins and the trace mineral, molybdenum, which is necessary for processing sulfites found in a number of foods (and alcohol). The mighty pinto may also help your immune system fight off colds and the flu, too.

7. Brown Rice

Simply by leaving the bran on the rice, we have ourselves one healthy food. Brown rice is an excellent source of dietary fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. One cup of rice provides you with nearly all the recommended daily intake of manganese, which helps protect our bodies from free radical damage.

Bottom Line

Beans, rice, and legumes are a part of a well balanced diet and rich in nutrients. Add some to your meals today.

Recipes Ideas:

Sweet Brown Rice Butternut Squash Risotto Recipe

Plant-Based Chickpea and Cauliflower Curry

Instant Pot Wheat Berry and Bean Stew

The post The 7 Healthiest Beans, Grains and Legumes appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

We can increase our resistance to the germs that can cause colds and the flu by boosting our immune system. And we don't need fancy, expensive superfoods to do it either. Many common foods contain potent immune boosting components. Try adding some of these into your diet today!

1. Oatmeal

That's right! Start your morning off with a bowl full of oatmeal and you'll be giving your immune system a burst of beta-glucan, a fiber that contains potent antimicrobial and antioxidant power that research shows may decrease your risk of coming down with the flu.

Read more about the health benefits of oatmeal

2. Tea

Warming up with a cup of tea is not only a soothing ritual in the cooler months, but it may also protect you from the germs that can cause colds and the flu. Green tea in particular is loaded with antioxidants that can increase your resistance to bacteria and viruses.

3. Sweet Potatoes

Those gorgeous autumn and winter root vegetables contain more than just great flavor. They're also an excellent source of beta carotene which keeps your skin strong and healthy and capable of fighting off the bacteria that can sneak in through the epidermis.

4. Citrus Fruit

All citrus fruit contain great sources of vitamin C! Vitamin C is crucial in strengthening the body's immune function and can help unfriendly invaders from taking over.

5. Turmeric

Make curries a regular part of your meals and you're adding more than just fantastic flavor. Turmeric, the spice that gives curry its yellow color is one of the strongest antioxidants around. It contains curcumin, a polyphenol with strong cold and flu fighting properties that has been shown to reduce the risk of coming down with a cold or the flu and helping to fight it off if you do become infected.

6. Ginger

The nobby ginger root is a miraculous superfood. It's loaded with gingerol which is a compound that can help reduce your risk of getting infected with common illnesses. It can also help decrease the inflammation and congestion that usually accompanies the common cold or flu. And it's an excellent weapon against nausea. Of course, it tastes amazing too!

7. Broccoli

This common vegetable is loaded with vitamins such as A,C, and E which strengthen immune function. It's also an excellent source of glucosinolates which can play a crucial role in keeping the immune system strong and effective at fighting off germs.

Read more about how to add more broccoli into your diet

8. Garlic

While I personally loathe the clove, garlic is one of nature's most powerful immune enhancers. It's loaded with allicin, a potent antioxidant that can enhance your immune function and help you get rid of a cold or flu a lot quicker. As soon as you feel it coming on, up your garlic intake, and it should disappear rather quickly.

These are all great tasting foods that can keep your immune system boosted. Stay healthy!

Read next: Beware Cold and Flu—Colloidal Silver to the Rescue!

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

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Vitamins and amino acids, along with caffeine give 5-hour energy its boosting effect. In other words: if we eat more nutrient-dense foods, energy shouldn't be a problem. But, sometimes it is, no matter how healthy our diet is. So of course you can make your own herbal energy booster, for a fraction of the cost and a whole lot safer, too.

There are quite a few options when it comes to energy boosting. Here are three:

1. Energy Boosting Tea Shake (contains caffeine)

Caffeine generally gets a bad rap, but it's actually got a few pluses. If you have a healthy history with caffeine, give this warm tea concoction a try. Maca, an ancient Peruvian tuber, is loaded with energizing plant goodness, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It sustained warriors heading into battle! Hemp seed milk provides you the healthy, energizing omega-fatty acids that hemp seeds are rich in for an energy boost. Bee pollen and honey are naturally energizing and immune building as well.

Ingredients

• 1 teabag of your favorite black or green tea, brewed and steeped (remove teabag)
• 2 tablespoons dried maca root
• 1 cup hemp seed milk
• 1 teaspoon raw honey
• 1 teaspoon bee pollen

Method

Brew up a strong cup of your tea. In a high powered blender add all ingredients and blend until smooth. Note: make sure the heat can escape from your blender if not using a Vitamix. Otherwise, hold onto to the lid well as heat will expand with the pressure and can force the lid off! Pour and serve immediately while still warm.

2. Ginger-Ginseng Energizer

Root herbs including ginger and ginseng are known for their many health benefits. From reducing inflammation to boosting immune function, these potent plant roots also help keep you going. Coconut sugar is lower on the glycemic index than cane sugar, but still provides energy. Blackstrap molasses gives you a boost of iron and B vitamins to keep you energized, but calm and focused.

Ingredients
2 inches of fresh ginger root, grated
20 ounces pure spring water
2 lemons, squeezed
20 drops ginseng root extract
2 tablespoons coconut sugar
1 teaspoon blackstrap molasses

Method
Put grated ginger and water in a saucepan and slowly simmer for 30 minutes until your kitchen smells amazing. Strain liquid into a large jar or glass container, add remaining ingredients and stir well. Serve immediately or let cool and add to your favorite tea blend.

3. Quick & Easy Herbal Boost

If brewing up teas is too time-consuming, you can grab a healthy boost with a few herbal extracts (tinctures) with energizing and balancing effects. You won’t get the shakes or crashes here. I recommend Herb Pharm or Gaia Herbs liquid extracts. Mix together the following in a shot glass and have yourself something yummy nearby to chase it down with.

Ingredients 
30 drops Siberian ginseng root
30 drops reishi mushroom
30 drops propolis
20 drops turmeric
20 drops maca root

The post 3 DIY Herbal 5-Hour Energy Recipes appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

And recent research even suggests we're more at risk of developing serious cardiovascular disease by regularly eating eggs. But thousands of years of egg-eating has deeply integrated them into our diets. They're quintessential in countless recipes…or are they?

Necessity breeds ingenuity-and food-loving vegans have been hard at work cooking and baking their way around eggs. You can too. Here are some great substitutes for the egg.

1. Tofu

Soy is undergoing a lot of scrutiny lately. Once the darling of the health food world for cholesterol-lowering and cancer-preventing properties, factors like genetically modified soy and overconsumption of the versatile bean have moved it from the friend category to foe. But if you don't overdo it and eat organic soy only rarely, one of the very best ways to eat it is as a scramble substitute. Crumbled, seasoned and sautéed, scrambled tofu is a dead ringer for eggs and can satisfy that craving for a hearty breakfast.

2. Applesauce

Use it in baked goods that call for eggs. Substitute ¼ cup applesauce for 1 egg. It binds and moistens just like an egg but without the cholesterol.

Read more about homemade applesauce

3. Banana

Similar to applesauce, mashed bananas bind and moisten in any baked good recipe. Replace the same amount as applesauce, too: ¼ cup to 1 egg.

4. Pumpkin

A wonderful seasonal egg replacer is pumpkin. Same principles as above-it binds and moistens. Use 1/3 cup of cooked mashed pumpkin to 1 egg. You can also use a winter squash such as acorn or butternut.

5. Flax seeds

These healthy omega-fatty acid-rich seeds get super slimy when wet. Use them ground up for best effect in baked goods. Substitute 1 tablespoon flax (mixed with 3 tablespoons water) for 1 egg.

6. Chia seeds

Also full of healthy omega fatty acids, chia seeds are also a great protein source. Use the same ratio as flax seeds: 1 tablespoon chia seeds soaked in 3 tablespoons water for a few minutes to replace 1 egg.

7. Non-dairy yogurt

Many non-dairy yogurts can in a pinch be used as an egg replacer. One quarter cup yogurt is a good substitute for 1 egg in baked goods.

8. Potato

A great substitute in savory recipes, you can use ¼ cup mashed potatoes to 1 egg. You can also use potato starch (2 tablespoons), but it's better to stick with whole food ingredients.

Read more about potato milk

9. Prunes

They had to be good for something, right? Prunes pureed with a little water make another easy egg substitute for baking. Use ¼ cup to replace 1 egg.

10. Olive oil

In some baking recipes, all you need to add is an extra ¼ cup of olive oil to replace an egg!

11. Cornstarch

This is a really great binder, but make sure you find a non-GMO corn starch. Two tablespoons corn starch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water replaces 1 egg.

12. Agar

This seaweed gel is a good substitute for recipes that call for just egg whites. Mix 1 tablespoon agar powder with 1 tablespoon water. Whip it in a blender or food processor. Let it chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes and then whip again.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

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A recent study out of the University of Houston found that 39 percent of shoe soles sampled were contaminated with the bacteria C. diff (Clostridium difficile), a public health threat that is now resistant to a number of antibiotics. C. diff infections can cause severe diarrhea that may progress to colon inflammation and more serious health issues, especially if it does not respond to antibiotic treatment.

“Shoes are contaminated from diverse sources, and we are regularly contaminating our doorsteps by shoes,” says study author M. Jahangir Alam, Ph.D.  

Read more about C. Diff

Beyond the C. diff risk, there are all kinds of bacteria that could be sneaking into your home via your shoe: most public restroom floors contain about 2 million bacteria per square inch (the average toilet seat: only about 50 per square inch). Not exactly guests you want traipsing around your living room, especially if you have young children who spend a lot of time at floor level.

While it’s not quite as common in the West, most cultures around the world request that you leave your shoes at the door-not only does it keep those harmful germs out, but it’s also a sign of respect for the home, which should be considered a sanctuary away from the outside world.

Read more about the germiest surfaces you touch regularly

The post You Absolutely Need to Stop Wearing Shoes in Your House appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

When it comes to anti-aging there is no question that there are habits that will drastically speed up the aging process. These include smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and eating foods that are high in sodium, sugar and trans fats. But eating foods that are high enough in phytonutrients like flavonoids and carotenoids (antioxidants found in a number of fruits and vegetables) can help with anti-aging and keep you feeling energetic and healthy.

Read more about phytonutrients in food

A good rule of thumb to remember is to make sure that you're getting plenty of fresh fruits and/or vegetables at every meal. The more you add these foods into your diet the less room you'll have for the stuff that's not so healthy.

So what makes these foods such anti-aging treats? Credit the high levels of antioxidants including anthocyanins, vitamins like A, C, E, and K, resveratrol, and healthy fats.

Fruits

• Blueberries
• Cranberries
• Apples
• Avocados
• Melons (including those yummy cucumbers!)
• Winter squash (it's technically a fruit!)
• Citrus fruits (healthier varieties contain seeds)
• Tomatoes
• Olives
• Pomegranates
• Dark chocolate (It's technically the seed of a fruit and yes, it is good for you! Just make sure it's at least 70 percent cacao content and low in sugar. Better yet, try raw cacao beans or nibs)
• Red wine (This list just keeps getting better, right?)

Vegetables

• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Kale
• Spinach
• Cabbage
• Lettuces
• Brussels sprouts
• Broccoli
• Beets

Miscellaneous

• Raw nuts (best when soaked in water for 6-8 hours)
• Beans (cooked from scratch, not the can)
• Green tea
• Coconut oil (works great on the skin, too!)
• Wheatgrass juice
• Whole grains
• Seeds (particularly flax, hemp and chia)

Read more about delicious foods that help block UV rays

Image via flossyflotsam

The post Eating to Stay Young: Anti-Aging Foods appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

Meat, Eggs & Dairy

Factory farmed animal products, while an unimaginably huge industry today, were essentially inconceivable fewer than 100 years ago. If you didn't live in a rural setting where you likely raised your own animals, the milkman delivered dairy products from a not so far away dairy. Meat and poultry could be purchased from a local butcher who may have even known the animals personally. Growth hormones, antibiotics and genetically modified feed were never fed to animals. So while it may seem that our recent ancestors ate "too much" of these products, they were eating the healthiest kinds of animal products, those raised on grass, outdoors and hopefully, with a lot of human love too.

Read More: Reasons to Kick Factory Farmed Meat Off Your Plate

Nowadays, of course, that's not the case. More than 10 billion animals (not counting fish) will be raised in American factories this year. Most will never see daylight, except on their way to slaughter. They'll live in dark, tiny and unsanitary conditions where diseases spread rapidly. They'll eat unnatural foods that are loaded with chemicals and drugs that directly impact the humans who eat those animals.

While some farm animals have been bred for "tastier" cuts of meat or sweeter milk, the drugs they are pumped with diminish their nutrient absorption which also decreases our ability to extract those nutrients. To eat like your grandparents, look for organic, grass-fed meat, eggs and dairy. It's even better if you can find a local source, too.

Read More: About Reasons to Choose Grass Fed Dairy Products

Fruits & Vegetables

Conventionally raised produce contain far fewer vitamins and minerals than they did a half-century ago. You can credit pesticides and chemical fertilizers with disrupting soil quality, depleting it of vital nutrients. Run-off from those gnarly animal factory farms pollute soil and water making food borne illness risks more severe, too.

Even organic options are still battling 50 years of depleted soil. It's an uphill battle, but not a losing one. One farmer, Bionutrient Food Association director, Dan Kittredge, hopes to change the criteria for success in farming from high yield to higher nutrient content. He's working with farmers directly to help them battle depleted soil while improving product yields and flavor.

Our grandparents and great-grandparents grew up when organic farming was essentially the norm. And with any luck, so will our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. That's why it's so important that we support organic farmers, local growers and grow our own.

Processed Foods

I watch a lot of movies, particularly films from 70-80 years ago (I mean, come on! Can any film touch The Thin Man series?). And as a food writer, I often notice what the actors are eating. Food has always been a great prop, and many actors rely on it (watch any Brad Pitt movie). Meals were cornerstones of our culture in a much different way back in the old days, and you see a lot of that in those old films. But what you don't see is any junk food. Not in the sense that we eat it today. Even when there is a soda fountain scene-the drinks are considerably smaller, and you had to go to the pharmacy or soda shop to get one. People still valued real food. It was made from scratch. Ingredients were pronounceable.

Things began to change after the 1950s when the idea of shortcuts and faster foods became the norm. Today, our processed foods resemble anything but their original intention. Nearly 80 percent of all processed foods in the U.S. contain genetically modified ingredients. They're full of artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners. They're stabilized with trans fats (although not for much longer) and chemical preservatives and then packaged in plastics that have been known to cause cancer and birth defects.

Read More: Reasons Processed Foods are Killing You

In his Food Rules  book, author and food expert Michael Pollan writes that the only junk food we should eat should be what we make ourselves. If we can make that type of commitment to eliminate processed/fast/junk food except for the occasion that we want to make a Twinkie from scratch, we should be able to maintain the healthy relationship with food our ancestors took for granted.

The post Food Then and Now: How Nutrition Has Changed appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.