They also contain unhealthy fats, such as trans fats, which increase bad cholesterol and increase inflammation in the body. Essential nutrients, such as fiber and vitamins, are lost during processing or deliberately removed, which can lead to deficiencies and disrupted gut health.
Artificial additives, such as preservatives, emulsifiers, and colorants, can negatively impact gut flora and have been linked to many chronic conditions. High salt levels in processed foods also contribute to high blood pressure and gut flora imbalances.
What does this mean for you?
Science shows that healthy eating is more than a choice that leads to a healthy body, it is also an investment in our character and our relationships. By focusing on a balanced diet with plenty of fiber, healthy fats, and minimally processed foods, we can positively impact our behavior and mood, and therefore our relationships!
“Healthy food is also an investment in our character and our relationships”
Quitting is hard.
So why do we still eat this junk? That’s because it’s not easy to stay away from it. The Pringles slogan says it all: ‘Once you pop, you can’t stop!’ Processed foods are designed to stimulate overconsumption through their ‘hyper tasty’ properties (the so-called ‘bliss point’ of the combination of sugar-salt-fat). This disrupts the satiety signals in our stomach (the leptin hormone) and leads to overeating. The result is a vicious circle of poor food choices that negatively affect our overall health.
Should we all go to Rehab?
No, don’t worry, even the most McDonald’s addicted among us can turn the tide. It starts with knowledge and awareness, and you have that now. Then comes the realization that bad eating is often the result of a lack of time and skills. Making meals that do not (partly) come from a packet takes more time. Unfortunately, you have to leave the ‘microwave’ era behind you.
Fortunately, there is YouTube. And everyone can learn how to make a delicious stew, perfectly sear a piece of salmon or sublimely roast a beetroot. The ‘time’ aspect may be more difficult. But that is precisely where enormous opportunities lie! Because, if you really think about how you spend your time, there are often surprisingly many habits that you might want to throw overboard, or at least want to reduce. You know what I mean: scrolling on Instagram for hours, hanging out in front of the TV, gaming, drinking with friends.
“Give your partner a mental boost with a healthy meal”
I have to think of an old saying: love goes through the stomach. This now takes on a whole new meaning. Are you dealing with a frustrated, dissatisfied partner? Then by cooking a healthy meal you will kill the ultimate two birds with one stone. You give someone a mental boost with an act of love and a microbiome boost by serving a fiber-rich, vitamin-rich, and omega-3-rich meal.
So get your ingredients from your local regenerative organic farmer, put on your apron, and work on your character and your relationship!
Sophie de Jong