Whole Foods Weight Loss Diet Nutrition Tips Guide

Whole Foods Without Preservatives And Hormones

By Tracy Kerr-Walshe

Whole and natural foods are generally seen as a good thing. After all, who wouldn’t want to feast away on healthy foods, knowing that it is eaten just as it came out of the ground, without any chemicals or preservatives? For meats, consumers can feel safe knowing their meat hasn’t been pumped with hormones, fat or salt.

Of course, there are some drawbacks, notably that these foods spoil quickly, given that they have no preservatives. Traditionally, natural foods could only be found at farmer’s markets, but a store called Whole Foods began in California to cater to the discerning customer. Yet this seemingly ideal chain is not without criticism.

Fresh Fruits, Vegetables And Meats Without Hormones

There are many benefits to eating whole and natural foods. As Whole Foods Market chairman John Mackey says, "There’s no inherent reason why business cannot be ethical, socially responsible, and profitable." Shoppers can pat themselves on the back for helping the small organic farmer in America, versus foreign workers across the country.

Those who shop specifically at the Whole Foods stores can also feel good knowing that the lowest wage for employees is $13.15/hour, with benefits that include healthcare. Furthermore, no executive makes more than 14 times the employee average. They’ve also purchased a year’s worth of wind power energy for their stores. Fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy and meats without hormones, preservatives, pesticides and other unnatural additives seem like the most basic components of a healthy diet.

Buying Healthy Foods In A Global Economy

One criticism of the whole foods industry is that it tricks consumers with misleading advertising to feel that they’re not only buying healthy foods but also small-business-friendly foods. For instance, one banner proclaims "Our Commitment to the Local Farmer," when in reality the "local farmer" lives in California.

In some markets, consumers would be worse served if they were restricted to only local produce. While they may want to support the local farmer, what does a New Yorker do in the winter months when he or she wants things that are out of season? In a global economy, we’ve gotten used to having whatever we want, whenever we want.

The Farmer’s Market For Local Produce

Buying local seems to work much better in places like California or Florida, but not everywhere. Additionally, most of the foods at Whole Foods Market is from five or six California super-farms, rather than small local places. Perhaps the farmer’s market really is the last bastion of local produce.

This year food prices have gone up all around due to rising commodity and energy costs. The cost of food has increased roughly 11%, which puts the squeeze on many families who are just barely getting by.

In this tough economy, Whole Foods has shifted its marketing, offering "Value Tours" of its stores to show consumers how to save money buying in bulk, ordering just enough fish and shopping sales items. Each week, the company’s blog backs up this message, offering tips on even more ways to save. At the end of the day, eating healthy and staying away from processed and fast foods is what’s most important.

This Article was about Whole Foods.

About the Author:
Tracy Kerr-Walshe is an author of dieting articles including Effective Weight Loss, Full Body Detox, Juice Fasting.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles coming soon.

More Facts About Snack Foods

How long have snack foods been around?
Snack foods have been around for quite a long time. Our Neanderthal cousins who had to hunt and scavenge for survival probably did not have much snacking options but that later changed as food became more readily available. People were able to have more than just one or two meals a day. If they became hungry in the afternoons before dinner/supper, they could grab a small bite to eat to help them recharge.

The real demand for snacks came about during the 18th century. Automated processes and parents that both worked created a demand for snacks that were already prepared and ready to eat. Time was in short supply and most households no longer had the luxury of one parent being at home all of the time. Commercial snack foods became a huge hit with parents and children alike.