Over 150 years ago, most people knew exactly where their food came from. Even if the food was purchased, rather than grown, caught or killed, they knew it came from somewhere local.
Nowadays, farmer’s markets are growing scarce, and food imported from outside your town is the norm. Sure, some people may still maintain their own gardens or keeping chickens to have fresh eggs, but the total convenience of driving five minutes away and picking up ready-to-cook chicken and fresh fruits and veggies is pretty hard to pass up.
Regardless of your diet choice (vegetarian, vegan, paleo, etc.), it is important to feed your body with pure, natural ingredients. Eating clean all the time can present a major challenge. As more and more people are looking into healthy eating, the ongoing controversies surrounding where your food comes from are heating up.
The quality of food we put in our bodies is important but remember that exercise and fitness level is an important component of one’s health as well. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, goal trackers, and more.
The Hype Created by Chipotle
An ad released by Chipotle (watch it here) caused controversy and greatly increased the discussion of food politics. The manufacturing process of how food — notably beef and poultry — is raised, packaged and delivered began to be questioned even more.
The Story Behind the Ad
If asked whether you’d prefer to eat a burrito made with antibiotic-injected chicken or free-range, hormone-free chicken, it wouldn’t be hard for you to decide, would it?
The same goes for beef from cows raised on organic grain, rather than being filled with animal-byproducts and fertilizers.
However, you don’t always think to question where your food comes from or what’s the animals have been consuming, much less if any chemicals have been injected to make them bigger, live longer, or things like that.
One of the biggest reasons for not questioning these thoughts is price. In general, consumers pay more for food that is less processed. One look at the organic aisle in the grocery store will confirm that. However, eating foods that are more natural is not always expensive. It could be going to your local store and getting whole grain brown rice or 100% wheat bread instead of white rice or bread.
Chipotle’s ad is basically raising awareness that this common method of producing our food is not what most people realize.
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Stay Informed
What can you do? Do your research. There are many The best thing you can do is stay diligent about what foods and what brands you choose when shopping. Check the ingredients first, and see what additives are included. If you can’t pronounce the name of a chemical, are you sure you’re going to want to eat it?
By paying attention to what you put in your body, regardless of where it comes from, you’ll be more aware of your health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many calories should I eat?
How many calories you should eat depends on a number of factors. To get a rough estimate, check out this article.
What is bulking? What is cutting?
Bulking and cutting are techniques used by bodybuilders to grow muscle and shed fat. Bulking requires eating in a surplus while weight training in order to build muscle. Cutting requires eating in a caloric deficit to shed body fat in order to “expose” the muscle built during the bulking phase.
Do I have to bulk? Do I have to cut?
No. Unless you are a professional bodybuilder, you do not have to bulk or cut to lead a healthy, happy lifestyle.
As part of our efforts to promote healthy eating, we’re offering diet plans created by a Registered Dietitian. Our PRO members get unlimited access, including complete meal guides, recipes, and shopping lists. In addition to our diet plans, PRO members have exclusive access to our Ask-a-Trainer section, automatic workout reminders, and advanced workout stats. Start your PRO membership today!