In today's full-on, fast-paced, non-stop world, more and more people are relying heavily on processed foods to feed not only themselves, but their families as well. When asked, most people note convenience as a major factor in choosing "fast food," whether it comes from a drive-thru restaurant or from the grocery store as processed, pre-packaged meals. It is true, processed food may be convenient, especially for busy families on the run, but just HOW convenient is it, truly? In the moment, processed foods ease time crunches and offer momentary comfort or a quick energy fix. But what about hours later, when you don't have enough energy to do anything but nap? Or when your focus is broken or the indigestion kicks in. Is processed food convenient then? Let's also consider what processed foods do to your body. You've heard the saying "garbage in, garbage out," but with our bodies, it isn't quite so simple. With processed food, when the "garbage goes in," our bodies have to react in a complex manner to "rescue" you from the fake food you just consumed. Since junk food has no nutrients in it, your body must use its own precious stores of nutrients to even digest what you've eaten. Plus, dyes and chemicals used to flavor and preserve processed food demand a lot of extra vitamins and minerals to be utilized just to metabolize and detoxify them - that means fewer vitamins and minerals to support your body. Can you see....while convenient food is convenient for your busy life, it certainly isn't convenient for your body! Consider this...30 minutes after you consume refined sugar, your immune system is compromised by as much as 50%, causing your body to quickly call in the troops and tap into your enzyme, vitamin and mineral stores. In addition, your pancreas is hard at work gobbling up the excess sugar so that you don't fall into a diabetic coma. Then, because your body can't process the sugar, it is laid down as fat, unless you are willing to exercise the needed amount to burn the additional calories. (you have to walk the length of one football field to burn the calories of one (yes, 1) M&M - how far do you have to walk to burn off the entire pack?) THAT certainly isn't "convenient" either! So the next time you find yourself eating donuts, potato chips, fast food or candy bars, think about all those precious enzymes, vitamins and minerals that must be pulled from the important repair processes, tissue re-growth, or bone strengthening they are designed to do just to deal with these foreign invaders called fast food. Ask yourself, just how "convenient" is that convenient food to your body, really? And how "convenient" is it when you are nodding off at your desk or lose productivity because of brain fog? Years from now, how "convenient" is the heart disease, diabetes and other horrid diseases that are certainly in your future. Remember, you cannot save time; you can only spend it wisely. Lean protein on whole wheat with veggies and fruit on the side will most certainly be time well spent. And I can't end without saying...high quality meal replacements are what get me through my busy-working-mom-of-three-boys life. Grab some so they can become your "convenient" food of choice too!
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