Natural Foods

Natural foods are foods that are directly derived from plants and animals with least processing. These foods generally avoid artificial ingredients and 'processed' foods such as white flour, refined sugar, hydrogenated oils, and milled grains.

Natural foods were made popular in 1950's when Natural Food revolution took place. Concern for presence of chemical residue in industrial food and realization that the processed food does not provide anything except calories has started a tread where more and more people are moving towards natural foods .Natural foods are generally confused with organic foods though both are relatively different from each other. Some of the common natural foods are:

Fruits: Most people in the US do not consume enough fruits for good health Fruits are a great resource of Vitamin C and antioxidants. Some of the most commonly available fruits in US are apple, avocado, banana, blueberry, oranges.

Nuts: Nuts are great source of protein and contains Omega 3, the good fat, which is generally not present in the processed industrial foods. Most of the nuts like Cashew Nut, Hazel Nut, Walnut, Apricot, peanuts, Pecan, Pistachio are very good source of major Vitamin Bs - B1, B2 and B3.Best way to take nuts is in fresh and uncooked form.

Sea Food: Most of the industrial food is rich in unnatural omega-6 plants oil, and Americans by consuming these foods are increasing the intake of Omega-6 relative to Omega -3 fat. Fish provide a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Canned sardines, salmon, mackerel are the best foods available in the markets, which are rich in Omega-3 and can help increase its intake.