“wholefoods”: real food, for real people

The term ‘wholefoods’ gets thrown around a lot these days, but what does it really mean? And why should you try to include them in your diet?
‘Wholefoods’ are foods that are unprocessed and unrefined; think vegies and fruits that you eat exactly as nature presents them: skin, seeds, juice and all. Whole grains are the same thing – grains you consume in the whole state they grown in, unmilled and unrefined.
Wholefoods have been shown to provide pretty amazing benefits to our bodies. And let’s be honest, it kind of makes sense. We are all products of this earth and its ecosystem, and we are designed to survive on what the earth provides. We are supposed to eat food in its natural state – our bodies will process fruit sugars better when the fruit’s fibre (skin) is also eaten, and the husk of grains (the part that’s normally removed during processing) is incredibly beneficial for digestion, slowing the conversion of carbohydrates.
Wholefoods also contain high concentrations of complex micronutrients, antioxidants, fibres and many other phytochemicals which are often missing from processed foods. Diets rich in wholefoods have been identified as helping protect our bodies against chronic diseases including cancer.

Post sponsored by The Chia Co

CHIA: GLUTEN FREE, WHOLEFOOD NUTRITION. Chia is one of very few grain-like seeds that can be eaten completely in its natural state – no grinding, no cooking and no processing. Chia is the highest plant based source of omega-3, dietary fibre and protein, and it also boasts a veritable who’s who of other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It acts like a grain, but it’s actually a gluten-free seed which makes it a great way for coeliacs or those with gluten sensitivity to still get their wholefood nutrition. You can literally eat chia seeds straight from the plant, which is why it’s really important that the chia you eat is grown carefully and is of the highest quality.

The Chia Co is the world’s largest producer of chia seed and was founded in 2003 by fourth generation farmer, John Foss. As a wheat farmer, John was disenchanted seeing the healthy wholegrain he grew being processed and added to highly refined, sugary breakfast foods. He set out to positively change the health of the global community by making the wholefood nutrition in chia available to everyone, every day.

The Chia Co farms are located at exactly 15 degrees from the equator, the ideal latitude to provide sufficient sun hours to grow chia rich in Omega 3. The chia seeds are allowed to ripen naturally in the sun, and irrigation is used to ensure the perfect amount of water. All chia seeds produced by The Chia Co are sustainably grown, guaranteed 100% chemical free and each product can be traced back directly to paddock on which it was grown. The Chia Co grow the world’s best chia, and they guarantee the nutrition in every seed they produce.
For more info visit: thechiaco.com.au @thechiaco #eatchia