If you try to avoid processed foods or certainly ultra processed foods …

[Anonymous]

… are there websites or blogs you like to read for inspiration or encouragement? I’m thinking something like Marks Daily Apple except for ultra processed food thoughts, not primal/paleo.

[Anonymous]

I don't need inspiration or encouragement. We cook mostly from scratch, and try to limit prepared foods. Since this is how both of us grew up, we don't feel deprived. We're not hyper rigid either. On road trips, we've stopped at fast food places when we had to.

[Anonymous]

No. I just don't eat fast food, deli meats, chips, or much candy or stuff like that.

[Anonymous]

I listen to podcasts by
Peter Attia (although he is more focused on exercise - I think he assumes you are already eating real food not junk)
Calley Means

They are pretty active on Instagram and Twitter too.

If you start following them you can find other people who provide similar motivation.

[Anonymous]

One of my old WW leaders from decades ago suggested shopping the perimeter of the grocery store (fruits and veggies, milk, eggs), and meat. Skip going up and down the aisles where all the processed food is

[Anonymous]

I do not go to the grocery store at all - that really helps avoid the stuff I am tempted to buy! Instead we have a local farm dairy/egg delivery, a CSA for produce, and I order grocery delivery or mail order for things like flour, beans, herbs, etc. I make almost everything from scratch so don’t feel guilty about baked goods or desserts because I know exactly what is in them.

[Anonymous]

If you need further motivation in terms of what processed foods do to your health, read The Hacking of the American Mind by Dr. Robert Lustig.

And ditch the sugar, too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not go to the grocery store at all - that really helps avoid the stuff I am tempted to buy! Instead we have a local farm dairy/egg delivery, a CSA for produce, and I order grocery delivery or mail order for things like flour, beans, herbs, etc. I make almost everything from scratch so don’t feel guilty about baked goods or desserts because I know exactly what is in them.

This is how we get most of our food these days too and we are eating healthier. Hungry Harvest for organic fruits and vegetables for us, though, because CSA is too much at one time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of my old WW leaders from decades ago suggested shopping the perimeter of the grocery store (fruits and veggies, milk, eggs), and meat. Skip going up and down the aisles where all the processed food is

Micheal Pollan talks about that strategy in “Omnivore’s Dilemma”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not go to the grocery store at all - that really helps avoid the stuff I am tempted to buy! Instead we have a local farm dairy/egg delivery, a CSA for produce, and I order grocery delivery or mail order for things like flour, beans, herbs, etc. I make almost everything from scratch so don’t feel guilty about baked goods or desserts because I know exactly what is in them.

This is how we get most of our food these days too and we are eating healthier. Hungry Harvest for organic fruits and vegetables for us, though, because CSA is too much at one time.

We use Imperfect Foods for this (previously used HH but decided to switch to get some new options) and we also supplement with orders from Thrive Market. I like their website. Has good inspo.

[Anonymous]

Not really. The reward is in eating the food itself: I find “whole”/unprocessed foods delicious and I know how to cook them well. I also prefer how my body feels and how my temperament is after eating these foods.

Maybe get a whole foods/plant based foods cookbook for some inspiration!

[Anonymous]

No. I just cook. Right now, I am eating beef with veggies for that I made on Sunday a huge pot.
I know how to cook.

[Anonymous]

Dr Mark Hyman's podcasts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not really. The reward is in eating the food itself: I find “whole”/unprocessed foods delicious and I know how to cook them well. I also prefer how my body feels and how my temperament is after eating these foods.

Maybe get a whole foods/plant based foods cookbook for some inspiration!

One of the biggest misconceptions of those eating the standard American diet is that eating whole foods cannot be enjoyable and delicious. Hence the need to "motivate" themselves to make the change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not really. The reward is in eating the food itself: I find “whole”/unprocessed foods delicious and I know how to cook them well. I also prefer how my body feels and how my temperament is after eating these foods.

Maybe get a whole foods/plant based foods cookbook for some inspiration!

One of the biggest misconceptions of those eating the standard American diet is that eating whole foods cannot be enjoyable and delicious. Hence the need to "motivate" themselves to make the change.

I recently ate tomatoes that were baked and tossed with a bunch of other stuff and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked them.