{"id":11137,"date":"2026-04-02T10:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T15:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=11137"},"modified":"2026-04-13T11:23:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T16:23:18","slug":"why-is-everyone-talking-about-whole-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/healthier-living\/why-is-everyone-talking-about-whole-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is everyone talking about whole foods?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Raise your hand if you\u2019ve heard of whole foods. To be clear, we don\u2019t mean the grocery store, but perhaps a friend has mentioned a whole foods diet or you\u2019ve tapped into the CDC\u2019s recent report<\/a> on whole foods\u2019 archnemesis \u2013 ultra-processed food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a whole food? Is it a tomato, because you can eat the whole thing \u2013 seeds, skin, and flesh? Is it a grilled chicken breast? Is it bag of almonds?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, yes it is! Whole foods are primarily unprocessed foods such as produce, grains, beans, nuts and seeds, and animal products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it\u2019s not quite that cut and dried. For instance, that bag of almonds went through some degree of processing. In fact, many foods considered whole undergo minimal processing, like chopping, drying, freezing, or canning1<\/sup>. And that\u2019s ok as long as the food stays close to its natural state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whole foods matter because a diet consisting of them is decisively associated with health promotion and disease prevention2<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What isn\u2019t a whole food?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Foods with additives, preservatives, and artificial flavors are not whole. For context, look at the ingredients in a bag of cheese puffs or a can of chicken noodle soup. Now note the ingredients you can\u2019t pronounce or don\u2019t keep in your pantry \u2013 guar gum, xanthan gum, yellow dye #6, disodium guanylate, cooked chicken skins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients like these land foods in a category called ultra-processed3<\/sup>, which is characterized by higher saturated fats, protein substances or enzymes, flavorings and preservatives, salt, and sugar. Ultra-processed foods have been linked to obesity, heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes whole foods better for you?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whole foods contain natural compounds like phytochemicals, which can help reduce the risk of disease; nutrients and fiber, which the body needs to function properly; and healthy fats, like omega-3 oils and monounsaturated fat, which support heart health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a general rule, whole foods don\u2019t have an ingredient list. They may be foods in their natural state or as close to it as possible, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n