Real Food Defined

I have mentioned in several posts that we have started eating 'Real Food'.  By this I mean food that is as close to it's original state as possible.  At the present time, these are the general guidelines I go by when purchasing and preparing food.

• If the food has a label, look at the ingredients list instead of the nutrition information. 
• Can you pronounce all of the ingredients? 
• Would your Great-Grandma know what these ingredients are?
• Are there more than five ingredients? 
• Are there any hydrogenated oils? 
• Are there any preservatives?
• Whole Grain: When eating a grain, eat a WHOLE grain. 
• Whole wheat flour, whole grain corn, brown rice, oats... just look for the term WHOLE. 
• Fats and Cooking Oils:
• Butter, olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, and a few others fit the bill. (NO-soybean oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, sunflower or safflower oil)
• Produce:
• Aim to buy as much produce at farmer's markets and through CSAs as possible. 
• When buying at the supermarket try to buy organic if it is fairly cost effective, or at least as local as you can.  I would buy strawberries grown in the USA over organic strawberries grown in Chile. 
• Keep the 'Dirty Dozen' list of the most pesticide-ridden fruits and veggies in mind.  Aim for organic items from this list when possible.
• Meat: Here is my run down on buying meats...
• For chicken, I buy local, organic and pastured whenever possible... at the least organic...and at the VERY least vegetarian fed. 
• Beef, buy 'GRASS FED' and organic.  If possible, look for a local source.
• Sausage and bacon, look for 'uncured' and nitrate/nitrite free. 
• Sweeteners:
• Local, raw honey...NOT from a grocery store.  Raw honey is good, raw AND local is better.
• 100% Pure maple syrup
• 100% juice, preferably fresh squeezed and as a sweetener and not a beverage
• Sugar in (major) moderation.  Unrefined, organic cane sugar is a good choice when baking at home. 
• Dairy and Eggs:
• Eggs should be organic and cage free.  When possible, I buy from a local farmer directly. 
• Dairy should be as whole as possible. 
• Whole milk, cream, sour cream, plain yogurt, cheese, etc. 
• I look for pasturized, not ultra-pasturized milk products. 
• I am exploring the option of raw milk products...like raw cheese.
• Avoid pre-shredded cheese products due to the anti-caking additive used. 
• Avoid canned goods due to BPA used in the lining of the cans. 
• Use dried beans and grains, prepare them yourself
• Frozen fruit and veggies are ok, as long as you don't cook them in plastic in the microwave.   
• Overall, aim to prepare as much food at home as possible!!