I think the biggest thing I learned on the Whole30 is how important it is to read the list of ingredients on each label. I've been in the natural foods industry for over a decade. I've done R&D for products that have launched nationally in Whole Foods. I've done R&D on products that launched nationally for Kraft Foods. I've sourced raw materials from big ingredient companies and know how important it is to keep costs low in formulations. I also know how important the shelf life of a product is. And I also know that big companies add ingredients to their products to make them taste better, but not because they are better for you...
This is why I believe everybody should do a Body Reset program like the Whole30. I'm not going to lie to you, It's a roller coaster ride. There are dips and peaks. Some days you will feel sluggish, especially in the beginning when you're ridding your body of ingredients that are man-made, not real. Now there is a tendency to focus too much on what you are putting into your body, which I'm not advocating. Believe me I've been there and done that and it led to a severe eating disorder. Although I want you read the ingredient lists of everything you eat for 30 days, I don't want you to obsess over it.
You also need to listen to your body during this program. If you're not feeling well, ask yourself if working out will help you feel better. Sometimes the answer is yes. There's many studies that show moving your body actually brings oxygen to your body and brain which helps you feel better. Sometimes the answer is no. More sleep might just be what you need to feel better since sleep helps restore rebuild cells.
The start date for this Body Reset Program is Sept 7th 2015. So if you are thinking about participating in the Whole30 Program you have a week to prepare.
I recommend you start preparing with the following steps:
1. Research
- Listen to Underground Wellness's Sean Croxton interview with the authors of 'It Starts with Food' Melissa and Dallas Hartwig...Click to HERE to heat the interview...
I actually met Melissa Hartwig at PaleoFX this part April. As you can see she's just a tad taller me...
- Read the book
- Brows their website Whole30.com...
Specifically check out the Whole30 Downloadable Guidelines
2. Read the Ingredients
- Start reading the ingredient list on the things you eat this week. I'm not asking you change how you eat this week, but just begin understanding what you're putting in your body. Begin by reading the labels of the products you currently have in your kitchen.
3. Food Journal
- In order to change how we eat, we have to know exactly what we're eating and the only way to really understand that is to write everything down.
You can change things you don't track/measure.
4. Clean out your Kitchen
- Many condiments will be off-limits on the Whole30 because they are filled with preservatives, sugars, additives, emulsifiers, and other ingredients. I'm not advocating you throw away everything in your pantry and refrigerator, especially if you live with other people that might 'freak-out' if you throw away their favorite condiment. Although I am saying it's much easier to be successful if it's completely 'out of sight, out of mind'. If you do live with other people who are not going through this program and you can't clean out your kitchen completely, then at the very least clean out some space for you in the refrigerator and pantry. Begin training yourself to only go there when your looking for food.
5. Gather Recipes
If you are addictive to ketchup or mayonnaise or any other condiment, then look for Whole30 approved recipes to replace the store-bought brands.
By the way, have you ever read the nutrition info and ingredient list on a bottle of Heinze Ketchup, (aka Kraft Foods).
Nutritional information
Serving Size: 17
Calories: 15 Calories From Fat: 0
Total Fat 0 g
- %
Saturated Fat 0 g
- %
TransFat 0 g
- %
Cholesterol 0 mg
- %
Sodium 160 mg
7 %
Total Carbohydrates 4 g
1 %
Fiber 0 g
- %
Sugars 4 g
- %
Proteins -
- %
Yeah...no fat...but there's 160mg of sodium, 4g of Carbs which is technically 4g of sugar per serving. How much is a serving? Well, it doesn't say on the nutrition panel, but it does say, there's 17 servings in one bottle. On the front panel it states there are 34 ounces in the bottle, which means 1 serving is 2 ounces. So as a consumer we have to look at two different panels to find that info. Then we have to weigh it to figure out how much an ounce is or we have calculate that 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons which means 2 ounces = 4 tablespoons = 1 serving. Do you think the marketing team at Heinze purposely made us go through that many steps to figure out it's serving size???
Now that we've figured that 1 serving = 4 tbls, then we obvious question to ask is how many servings do we actually consume during one meal and only you can answer that...???
Now let's examine the Ingredients in Simply Heinz™ Ketchup (34 oz)
Ingredients: TOMATO CONCENTRATE FROM RED RIPE TOMATOES, DISTILLED VINEGAR, SUGAR, SALT, ONION POWDER, SPICE, NATURAL FLAVORING
I've highlighted the alarming words in the ingredient list. 'TOMATO CONCENTRATE FROM RED RIPE TOMATOES' The word CONCENTRATE is alarming to me because it means that they took all the good stuff out of the tomato to concentrate its color and sugars. It's also less expensive than using tomatoes not from concentrate. Some people think Ketchup is good because it's made out of tomatoes, but using the concentrated form is much different than concentrating tomatoes in your own kitchen. The third ingredient is SUGAR. So technically there are 2 different kind of sugars in the top 3 ingredients. Then there is SPICE and NATURAL FLAVORING. I'm not a scientist by any means, but from my professional experience these ingredients usually are made up of emulsifiers, binders, and stuff to make the product taste consistent, have an extended shelf life and keep you coming back for more.
I personally believe that you can make better ketchup in your own kitchen. And even if it doesn't win any ketchup contest, at least you know exactly what's in your ketchup. Making your own ketchup might also make you appreciate eating it which something very gratifying:-)
Anybody up for the challenge...???
Send me your homemade Ketchup recipe. I'll test it and if makes the cut in my house, then it will be featured in the Recipe of the Month Club.
