I ‘got’ it. I was vegetarian in high school and college because I learned that a plant-based diet was better for my health and for the planet. But on a vegetarian diet, I was sluggish and gained at least 20 pounds in my first semester of college. Even my own mother didn’t recognize me at the airport when she came to pick me up for Christmas break. I had to stand right in front of her, wave my hands before her eyes and say “Hi!” It is definitely not a fond homecoming memory.
I confess I did go a little food crazy in college. Sugar-coated cereal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Countless dining hall visits for Ranch dressing, Honey Mustard dressing, Mayonnaise, American cheese melts, Pesto Pasta, cookies, ice cream with sprinkles galore at the dining hall. I also got a job at the Student Center Cafe, thinking I would learn how to cook for myself. Well, I didn’t learn a thing. The only thing I did learn was how to use the griddle and fryer, slap flat foods together to make sandwiches and slice tomatoes. Everything else was pre-packaged and pre-made somewhere else. Looking back, I realize that most of the food I bought or ate or touched were highly processed foods – not whole foods.
A Processed Culture
I understand why we are attracted to ready-made convenience foods: they do not require much work or energy. We want food NOW without having to work for it. We want to be healthy but we don’t want to put the effort into actually preparing our meals directly from whole foods. We want things EASY.
The thing is though, like most things, it requires work on our part to get something really worth anything. Nutrition is no exception – plant-based or not.
The Difference
Consider this: When a fruit or vegetable is 5 days old, it will contain only 40% of it’s original nutrients. How about processed foods with long shelf-lives?
Plant-based whole-foods are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds. They are in their natural state and are not packaged, canned, bottled or boxed. Most of the time, you can eat them fresh (washed or not) or they may require some time and attention (cleaning, prepping, dressing/marinating, cooking).
Processed foods, on the other hand, require little time and attention. Most are ready to eat as is (junk food) or require some cooking (frozen dinners). They are foods that have been so drastically altered from their natural state. They are anything canned, boxed, bottled and packaged. They are foods that are full of preservatives, artificial flavors and artificial coloring. They include anything refined (like white flours and sugars), any hydrogenated fats, any processed meats, anything with soy fillers, artificial food grade chemicals and additives.
Plant-based processed foods are a whole niche market dedicated to serving ready made Veggie Meats and Veggie Dairy to vegans and vegetarians. Unfortunately, these are highly processed foods too, containing especially high amounts of soy (most of which is genetically modified).