The concept of a whole foods diet has been circling in the media for a few years. And while everyone may have a slightly different meaning, a whole foods diet is definitely more of a lifestyle choice than just another fad diet. In general, a whole foods diet focuses on:

• Whole or minimally processed foods
• Plants, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts
• Avoiding refined foods like sugar, white flour, and processed oils
• Avoiding animal products as much as possible

Many compare or even confuse a whole foods diet with vegan or vegetarian diets, but there are differences.

Vegans abstain from consuming any animal products. Vegetarians exclude all meat, but often use animal products like eggs and dairy into their diets.

A whole food diet is more flexible. Instead, someone choosing a whole foods diet focuses on food quality rather than the actual product. They look for things like locally sourced or organic foods whenever possible.

Why are people moving towards a whole foods diet? The most obvious reason is for the health benefits.

• It’s heart healthy
• It reduces your risk of cancer
• It has the potential for reducing your risk of developing cognitive issues
• It reduces your risk of obesity
• It reduces your risk of diabetes

And it’s good for the planet. Because the emphasis is on using local ingredients, it’s one of the most environmentally friendly diets you can utilize. It doesn’t rely on mass-produced products and instead focuses on using what is readily available in your area.

What could be better than that?

Are you moving to a whole foods diet? What’s been the best part of the switch for you?