Real Food, Real Energy:

Go Natural, Not Processed

Wondering why “whole” foods are so praised?

They provide pure, essential nutrients with no added junk.

That's why I prefer fresh fruits, vegetables, whole wheat, and brown rice—rich in nutrients, unlike white rice or sugary packaged snacks, instant meals, and ramen that can cause energy crashes.

The more I choose whole foods, the better I feel and think!

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Why are they called "Whole" Foods?

They’re called “whole” because they’re consumed as close to their natural state as possible.

A whole apple still has its fiber and vitamins.

A whole grain still includes the bran, germ, and endosperm.

Nothing’s been refined or removed—which means you’re getting the FULL nutritional benefits.

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Why Choose Whole Foods?

Whole foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, and clean proteins are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

They’re the way nature intended—nothing removed, nothing added.

In contrast, processed foods often go through multiple steps that strip them of natural nutrients and load them up with preservatives, colorings, emulsifiers, added sugars, and artificial flavors.

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Why Does It Matter?

Processed foods may be tasty and convenient, but they’re engineered to be addictive—making it harder to recognize true hunger.

As Dr. Casey and Calley Means—an inspiring sibling team reshaping healthcare by exposing the dangers of processed foods and advocating for prevention through nutrition and lifestyle—point out,

these foods disrupt gut health, metabolism, and even brain chemistry.

Over time, this leads to serious chronic issues like obesity, diabetes, ADHD, cancer, etc.

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Processed foods harm digestion by lacking fiber, which is essential for gut motility and healthy bacteria.

They also contain additives and preservatives that irritate the gut lining, contributing to "leaky gut," where undigested particles and toxins enter the bloodstream.

This leads to inflammation, manifesting as symptoms like bloating, fatigue, food sensitivities, joint pain, and skin issues.

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Need a Simple Rule?

At the supermarket very recently, someone had asked me which flavor of juice boxes were the healthiest—and I had to break it to them directly:

juice in a box is still processed.

Even if it says “100% natural,” it's often pasteurized (which kills nutrients) and contains preservatives or added sugars.

Freshly squeezed juice from real fruit or vegetables is always better!

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An Easy No-Brainer:

If it comes in a box, can or air-tight packet, has a long ingredient list of strange names of chemicals, or doesn’t spoil for months—SKIP IT.

Stick to food you recognize and can pronounce.

Think: oranges, apples, berries, spinach, lentils, oats, etc.

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Even easier no-brainer:

Buy the fresh produce on farmers' market days!

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Hold on...But are Supplements Okay?

Short answer: YES—but with intention.​
​Supplements are helpful when:

• Therapeutic Doses Are Hard to Get From Food Alone​
  Some nutrients require doses that are nearly impossible to reach through normal meal portions—like DIM for hormonal balance and control of estrogen metabolism, which would take several pounds of broccoli to match a single supplement.

In these cases, supplements provide targeted support for addressing specific health conditions.

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• Absorption Issues Limit Nutrient Intake​
  People with digestive conditions like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Crohn’s, or low stomach acid often struggle to absorb nutrients from consuming whole foods.

Supplements can bypass these issues and help ensure the body still gets what it needs.

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• Dietary Restrictions Create Gaps​
  Vegans, vegetarians, and those with certain food allergies may lack key nutrients like B12, iron, or omega-3s.

Supplements fill those gaps without compromising their lifestyle or diet.

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What About Protein Powders?

These are completely valid, especially when trying to hit necessary protein goals.

If you can’t eat enough protein-rich whole foods, clean protein powders are a smart, efficient option.

Ensure that you choose the ones with minimal artificial ingredients, no added sugars or fillers and most importantly, low-glycemic (Casein, Egg White Protein, Hemp Protein, Pea Powder Protein etc).

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Additional Resources:

I was recently shared this powerful podcast about preventative health with guests: Dr. Casey Means and her brother, Calley Means:

• ​Dr. Casey Means is a Stanford-trained physician and co-founder of Levels, a metabolic health company that helps people understand how food affects their blood sugar in real time using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)

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• ​Calley Means is a former political strategist turned health advocate and co-founder of TrueMed, a company that helps people use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for health-promoting purchases like exercise, supplements, and clean food.

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Together, they champion food as medicine.

This podcast by Joe Rogan featuring Dr. Casey and Calley Means is full of hard-hitting truths about processed food, addiction, and the broken health system.

They reveal how food and pharma industries shape public health for profit—and how real change starts choosing correctly what’s on your plate!

A must-listen for anyone ready to take back control of their health:

🎧 Joe Rogan Experience #2210 - Calley Means & Casey Means, MD​

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Be sure to follow Mark Hyman, MD for expert insights on real food, holistic health, and healing through lifestyle!
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​Dr. Mark Hyman is a globally renowned physician and 15-time New York Times bestselling author who champions functional medicine—a root-cause, whole-body approach to healing.

He's a powerful voice in redefining modern healthcare, showing how food and lifestyle, not just pills, are the real keys to lasting wellness.

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A Simple Step to Try Today:

Swap one packaged snack a day—like energy bars or crackers—for a fresh whole food: think fruit, a boiled egg, or nuts.

OR

Trade packaged bean paste or flavor powders for real ingredients—chop fresh onion, garlic, or make your own meat broth or bean paste from scratch.

Notice how your energy, digestion, and even mood start to shift in just a few days!

Reply to this email let me know how it goes!

Or if you have any other questions or doubts~

I'd be glad to help you in your journey to switch to more whole foods!

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