Importance of Quality Ingredients

During our first week of Therapeutic Cooking we discussed the importance of using quality ingredients to maximize our health and wellbeing.

How we define quality?

• Whole Foods - Real food that your grandmother would recognize i.e. an apple instead of an artificially flavored, colored Fruit Roll Up. 
• Fresh/Local/Seasonal Food - Fresh food has maximum nutrients compared to refined, processed food which is devoid of most nutrients.  It's important to eat food that would naturally grow in your region in the appropriate season.  
• Organic Food - Food that is free of synthetic fertilizers and chemicals reducing the toxic load on your body.
• Non-GMO Food - Food as defined by nature not genetically modified in a lab.  The long-term health effects of GMO food are unknown.

Quality ingredients also taste better!  Although costs may be higher in the short term, the long-term health benefits are priceless.

Posted by Maureen O'Neal