That’s right, that word on the package of whatever you buy can mean ANYTHING the manufacturer wants your imagination to depict! Why do you obsess about “natural” things anyways? Everything on planet earth is natural, and a chemical at the same time. We’re all chemicals made out of water, inorganic ions, and carbon-containing (organic) molecules.
You know what is natural though?
Tobacco, poison ivy, deadly nightshade, fugu fish, fresh cassava root (contains enough cyanide to cause full paralysis!), green cashews and almonds, raw potato skins and sprouts (cause nerve damage and may kill you!) There are also TONS of poisonous mushrooms and venomous animals!
So NATURAL. GO EAT THEM
God forbid you consume any tofu though NOOOOOO SO PROCESSED! No faux meats no tvp, no yogurt, no rolled oats, artificial sweeteners and definitely no seitan – IT HAS GLUTEN! OH NO!
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE
Our civilization has polluted the environment and expedited global warming – sure. We suck, we’re awful for this planet. However we’ve also engineered some beneficial things that benefit our livelihood. You can’t deny it. Now we live longer and healthier lives than EVER BEOFRE IN HUMAN HISTORY!
We have access to shelf stable foods, home delivered healthy prepared meals, frozen dinners… Some things surrounding us may not be NATURAL, but who has convinced us that most of the human made products suck?
RANT OVER
To make good progress in the gym (or outside the gym) yes, eating whole foods helps. Also keep in mind
- if you’re gaining that you’re in slight calorie surplus
- if you’re tying to lose the weight (the fat, hopefully), eat is deficit yet still enough calories to keep the muscles you’ve been so patiently and deliberately gaining
- if you’re maintaining (or mainGAINING) – best place you could be.. eat in maintenance! What my client Clay, featured here has been doing. How to determine you’re in maintenance without counting calories? Weigh yourself daily, and if your weight’s been not been changing, lucky you! You’re there!
Instead of trying to eat “more natural” or “less processed” foods, focus on the calories and nutrients! Are you getting enough protein (spoiler alert: if you eat enough calories and are not starving or malnourished – you probably are!), are you getting enough vitamins from food? Yes, supplementing with a multivitamin is usually a good idea, but the more vitamins you get from whole foods – the better.
Conclusion:
Worry about being healthy and watching your progress. If your goal is to lose fat – has the scale been going down for the last few weeks? If not, it’s time to change something (add exercise and eat less). Ask yourself – if you keep doing the things you are now, where will you be in a year? If the answer doesn’t match with your goals, change something about your current routine.
If you need help with getting closer to being stronger, healthier and do this in the most optimal way, send us a message – we’re happy to help.