Whole foods

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"Whole Foods" redirects here. See also, Whole Foods Market and Whole food supplements.

Whole foods are foods that are unprocessed and unrefined, or processed and of course refined as little as possible before being consumed.

Often confused with so-called "organic food" (i.e., organically-grown food), whole foods aren't 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 even basic, organically-acceptable processing, many whole foods have a very short shelf life and are not easily sold outside of farmers' markets.

Examples of whole foods include unpolished grains; organically garden-grown fruits and vegetables; and non-homogenized milk. For some, it is preferable to eat whole foods raw to obtain the maximum nutritional benefit.

[edit] Sources and Additional Information

• What is a wholefoodAn article from the Uist Wholefood Co-operative
• Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition, Paul Pitchford, North Atlantic Books, ISBN 1-55643-471-5
• The Whole Food Bible: How to Select & Prepare Safe, Healthful Food, Christopher S. Kilham, Healing Arts Press, ISBN 0-89281-626-0.
• Living Healthy with Organic Whole Foods, Ladell Hill, Good Form blog, Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Entry dated June 8, 2006, accessed June 17, 2006.
• Wholefoods ...for health - The independent health food and whole food news site presenting nutritional news, views, products and links.
• What are wholefoods? - Ever wondered what the oxford dictionary's definition of wholefood is?
• Whole Foods vs. Vitamins - Information about Whole Foods and their difference from Vitamins
• Whole food supplements