I dug this article out from my vault, it was orginially published in the Red Deer Advocate and Red Deer Life two years ago after my last contest apprearance at the Canadian Nationals, however I think it’s a great message and worth having posted on our website. I hope you enjoy!
I’m convinced that processed food is addictive. And truly from a manufacturers standpoint this would be a good thing, after all you would want repeat buyers for your products. However, this doesn’t make it good for us. In fact quite the opposite, I am also convinced that processed food will kill you, and quickly.
Maybe I have a flare for the dramatic but nonetheless there is some validity in what I am saying. Over the last 5 months I competed in 2 bodybuilding events and have lost and gained more than 50 lbs. You would probably never believe this to be true if you seen me walking on the street, and please don’t tell my life insurance company. Over the course of these months there has been two very distinct periods that pertain to my topic. While preparing for the events my consumption of processed items is nearly negligible. After a couple consistent weeks of these habits a number of things become apparent. Steady energy, stable blood sugar, stable emotions, recovery, endurance, strength, concentration, hair growth, skin condition and of course loss of body fat. Of course as body fat levels begin to drop below practical levels, in contrast many of these things begin to take a negative turn again independent of whole or processed foods, but that is another topic. Now when the events ended and habits began to shift again, pizza and ice cream are amazing reward foods, it didn’t take long to begin to notice the ill effects of processed foods.
I am now incredibly aware digestively how certain items make me feel, and each time I consume certain processed items my desire for more of the same increases. Many physical signs also emerge. Increased awareness shows more unstable mood response to stressful or difficult situations, disrupted sleep, increased cravings, unstable recovery and strength, a pronounced effect on appetite (decreased), less ambition and motivation, and an increase in body fat.
Even though I am now back to my normal fit look with average to low body fat the physical change and feeling that has occurred in the short weeks from the event is quite remarkable. In no way is this scientific, it is purely anecdotal of my personal experiences over these past months but the fact that such a discernable feeling occurs from implementing only a few processed foods is a scary kind of amazing.
Our bodies are not designed to work with foods that contain a number of additives to increase their yield or give them a longer shelf life. Our body operates on particular types of fuel and a vital component of that fuel is many different enzymes. Enzymes are typically the missing component of processed items as they’ve been long destroyed in the steps to manufacture the product. Without these vital fuel components our body has to work harder to extract and utilize raw materials causing premature wear and breakdown. Imagine replacing the gas in your car with diesel and how it would affect its performance.
Parents please, keep this in mind when planning school lunches for your children as our addiction to processed food starts young in this day and age. Don’t commit your children to an early death. I guarantee focusing on consuming as many whole foods as possible will extend your life and improve your quality of life drastically in the later years and keep your life insurance premiums lower, that is unless you compete in body building.
