Whole foods are those that are unprocessed and unrefined, or processed and refined as little as possible before being consumed. They typically do not contain added ingredients, such as sugar, salt, or fat.

Often confused with "organic food" (i.e., organically-grown food), whole foods are not necessarily organic, nor are organic foods necessarily whole, although they do share a number of traits, such as an avoidance of chemically-assisted agricultural techniques. Because of the lack of basic processing, many whole foods have a very short shelf life and are not easily sold outside of farmers' marketsFact: date=October 2008.

Examples of whole foods include unpolished grains; fruits and vegetables; unprocessed meat, poultry, and fish; and non-homogenized milk. For someWho: date=October 2008, it is preferable to eat whole foods raw to obtain the maximum nutritional benefit, although this raises concerns of food poisoning.

Whole foods are easily assimilated and absorbed readily by the bodyFact: date=October 2008. Whole foods are nutrient rich and are thought to promote health because they are a natural source of vitamins and minerals Fact: date=June 2008.

The term “Whole Food” has been known to describe any food that offers a complete balance in nutritional value while in its natural stateFact: date=October 2008. Whole foods typically include any raw fruits and vegetables, as well as nutrient-dense nuts, seeds and sprouts. Some contend that it is preferable to eat whole foods raw in order to obtain their maximum nutritional benefitFact: date=June 2008.

There are several ways to meet the body's needs with respect to whole foods. One way is to consume a variety of fresh raw fruits and vegetables every day. For some this can be very inconvenient and difficult, especially considering those who live a fast-paced lifestyle.

Many ardent consumers Who: date=June 2008 of whole foods advocate "juicing" as a means to obtain the whole food nutrition provided by fresh raw fruits and vegetables. Proponents Who: date=June 2008 claim many benefits, including ease of consumption and the dense concentration of nutrients in fresh juice products.

Yet another popular means of obtaining whole food nutrition is through taking nutritional supplementsFact: date=October 2008. Advocates of whole foods Who: date=June 2008 urge caution, however, claiming that most nutritional supplements on the market have been overprocessed, thus eliminating their whole food benefits.

See also

• Natural foods
• Whole food supplements
• Raw foodism

External links

• Wholefoods ...for health - "The independent health food and whole food news site presenting nutritional news, views, products and links."
• Whole Foods~Healthy Foods - Articles and blogging focused on whole food nutrition. Comments welcome.
• Web site for the American Botanical Council - Information on herbs, medicinal botanicals, scientific information, and news.
• Video interview with Bud Sorenson, Whole Foods board member