What are the most healthy foods to eat? What is the least healthy food?
For something different today, I'm hoping you'll answer those questions in the comments and then all the Real Food rookies out there can learn from your responses!
Be sure to tell us WHY you love it or hate it and WHY you think it's a Superfood or Junkfood. THANKS!
Here is my top answer for each category:
- Top superfood (for our family anyway): cod liver oil. It's what we use to level out my hormones when needed, which the whole family appreciates (read about my all natural ‘chill pill' for anxiety), and it's why I believe we rarely get sick, and if so it's short-lived. (Where to buy quality cod liver oil and more info including how to get it down.) It was a toss up between that, bone broth, pastured eggs, and raw milk though!
- Top junkfood: I'd have to say donuts (or is it ‘doughnuts'?). They're not just loaded with sugar, but they're also fried in who knows what type of fake, rancid, trans fat and acrylamide laden nasty vegetable oil. Once every couple years or so I'll make homemade donuts here at home because I'll fry them in a healthy cooking oil which redeems them at least a little. (Read more about that here: Deep Fried Heaven.) All this isn't to say that we don't let the kids get one once in a great while in the cafeteria after church, but we discourage is as often as we can get away with! (This one was a toss up with soda pop, which is no more than a chemical cocktail if you ask me.)
By the way…
- For any Real Food rookies out there – you can get a crash course in Real Food here: The Real Food for Rookies online class
- Or learn what ingredients to look for and which to avoid here: The Real Food Ingredient Guide
Your turn, what do you think?! I'm sure I missed some doozies.
DS says
Coconut oil and white chia seed are the superfoods. Coconut oil is also great for topical application as hand lotion and body lotion. Also I try to remember to “oil pull” with it before I floss and brush. I think it keeps my teeth cleaner. I love coconut,period, but fortunately I do not perceive a taste in the oil so I do all my cooking with it, unless I am frying in leftover bacon fat.
Jeannette says
We did manage to budget FCLO and butter oil blend for all 9 of us this summer and I can testify that it is definitely a super food and made a big impact on our health in many ways but it’s not something that we can afford all the time unfortunately. We are able to get raw milk and pastured eggs for a very reasonable price although I have to drive into the next state each week to get it. We also do only “good” oils and coconut oil was a real turn of events for our health as well as the addition of grass fed lard. We do grow some of our own veggies since there are no CSA options in our area but LOTS of farms nearby 🙁 We would love to do more grass fed meats but it is cost prohibitive for our large family. We do purchase from a nearby state for our Thanksgiving turkeys and other special times. We have to drive into the another state here too to get it though. We do lots of bone broth that’s always available in the crock pot. Everyone has their own preference of herbs and spices to add to their mug and loves it. As far as junk food, I’d say that it’s baked goods for the most part. All my girls old enough to know their way around the kitchen are good bakers and they are very proud to go in and create a treat for the family all on their own. It’s been hard to reinvent some of my grandmother’s recipes that have grown to be staples in our home and that I fondly remember from childhood. I don’t consider them junk exactly and we do use quality ingredients but they are all white flour/sugar based.
Commenter via Facebook says
haven’t tried the cinnamon; will try on my next order
Margaret says
Top superfood is BioSuperfood algae supplement (a synergistic blend of 4 algae). I also eat raw goat milk, pastured meat, pastured eggs, raw butter, coconut oil, Chaffin Family Orchards olive oil, wild Alaska salmon, etc. I just don’t eat junk food ever, as it makes me sick. My husband eats health food store cookies and dark chocolate (I don’t tolerate chocolate).
bunkie says
super foods are coconut oil and FCLO…and so many other things like honey and grassfed beef, etc…
junk foods we only indulge in once every 2 or 3 months when we go to town for supplies or appointments. we don’t eat out and for me it’s a small bag of Fritoes, for hubs it’s a small bag of pepperidge farm cookies. someday soon i’ll figure out how to take a homemade lunch with us so we don’t splurge on the naughties…
Shelley says
My favorite super food is probably all the healthy fats I allow myself to indulge in…butter, coconut oil and Olive oil.
I have always tried to stay away from bad fats like hydrogenated fats and margarine, but was still using canola and commercial salad dressings. I have since stopped those, and I really do feel better, I am less irritable, I am sleeping better and more alert during the day…all very good “side-effects” 🙂
I too do need to get some cod liver oil though, to help with pms and peri-menopausal symptoms and to just bring yet another great fat into our home!
Commenter via Facebook says
@ Rebecca Hauptman Cashman – the cinnamon for sure!
Commenter via Facebook says
What do you think is the best tasting cod liver oil? I am picky about it, but think I might want to try it. FCLO that is.
Krissy says
Cinnamon, my husband will even take it:)
Rebecca says
Superfood(s) that I have around my house: Coconut oil, raw milk, raw milk kefir, and fermented veggies.
Junkfoods that I have around my house: Ramen noodles (I do not use the seasoning packet, but occasionally will eat the noodles, which I love, with homemade broth).
Overall, I think I am doing ok!! 🙂 The only thing I eat that I probably shouldn’t eat so much of is things that contain processed flour, and even then, it isn’t that much.
Worst junkfood out in the world: Boxed meals like hamburger helper, in my opinion.
I have never tried the cod liver oil because it just sounds disgusting. IF I had any health problems I would try it, I think. FCLO. What is the best flavor that you guys like?
Jill says
Definitely cinnamon! To me, the cinnamon FCLO/BO blend tastes like cinnamon candy.
Commenter via Facebook says
Can’t get the Where to find product list.
Commenter via Facebook says
Kale!
Leah says
super foods…we dont even think of it that way anymore. but I guess I always make sure to budget FCLO, we raise cows, pigs, chickens (meat & layers), turkeys, and occasionally goats and bunnies. we grow our own veggies and seasonal fruit. its all Super to us since we work so hard to make it happen. my junk is that pesky cup of hot coffee in the morning…..but what is real junk in this house….not sure we have any anymore. Mission Accomplished!
Natasha Sandoval says
I would agree with all of Kelly’s super foods and for junk food: cheeseburger and fries from culvers.
Linda says
I think you are right about fclo being the #1 super food. It is pretty expensive for us to keep up with so I only take it every other day to make it last longer. After that I want to say coconut oil. I make sure to have it every day. I cook with it, hubby puts a spoonful in his coffee, and I will put a spoonful in my mouth (the coconut flavor) if I feel I need it. I just wish we could afford organic coffee, but he goes thru it too fast. I believe I have gotten rid of all the junk food except for the non-organic coffee. For hubby it would be Dunkin Donuts, which he hasn’t had in ages. For me it would be chocolate, but I don’t buy the cheap crap anymore. Now that ds has gone back to school I don’t even buy the organic junk!
Amanda B. says
Hmmm, superfood could either be Kombucha or Milk Kefir made from raw milk (are these considered foods or drinks?) Anyway, a good smoothie made from the kefir makes my belly SO Happy! And my kids love their Kombucha!
Junkfood…I haven’t had *bad* junkfood in so long, but Starbucks ice cream might fit that bill. At least that brand doesn’t have all the chemicals that other brands have.
Jill says
Top superfood…probably fermented cod liver oil/high vitamin butter oil blend, but I am inconsistent with having it on hand (maybe 50% of the time at best). But the most consistent superfoods probably would be local foods obtained through our CSA (veggies, beef, pastured eggs, raw goat milk, soup bones, liver–on rare occasions), farmer’s market (pastured bacon, minimally pasteurized whole cow’s milk, whole chickens), and a wonderful, local faith community of incredibly sweet folks–anabaptist, I believe–not “quite” Amish, but clearly “related” (artisan raw cheeses, cured meats, chicken, yogurt, some veggies).
Now junk foods: probably your run of the mill flour tortillas from the grocery store, chips (though I try to buy organic), and my teenage son often throws a pack of sugar-free gum (read: chemicals) into the cart. He also often goes to Chik Fil A with friends after youth group–I cringe every time! And…I’m currently drinking a cup of non-organic Starbucks coffee (read: pesticides). I’m sure there are others, but maybe I need another cup of coffee before I can think of it!
For me, obtaining real, local foods is the ultimate “super” and eating industrialized food made by in factories by giant corporations is the opposite. (I don’t buy EVERYTHING locally, and I don’t ALWAYS buy the above items locally, but I try as often as I can, budget permitting.)