Who tries to stay away from preservatives?

[Lala0424]

DH and I have recently decided to try to eliminate as many preservatives from our diets as possible. The more and more they research them, the more they discover how bad they are for you. The only bad thing is....just about EVERYTHING seems to have preservatives in it.

I was just curious if anyone else was preservative concious, and if so....what do you cook? I plan on having tons of fresh fruit, vegetables, and lean meat. What else would you reccomend for "staple" foods?

Thanks!
Heather

[*Shellie_Star*]

I have a Diet Coke addition, which is going to be very contradictory to what I'm about to say! lol

Everything else I try to eat/drink is fresh, organic where possible or un-processed. - it's so difficult though! Sadly, I don't do it as much as I'd like due to time, convenience and cost it's not always possible but I try. I point blank refuse to buy/eat any sort of ready-made processed meal or stuff like, it freaks me out when I read the label. When I get my own place I think it will be easier At the moment I live with my parents still so often have to come to compromise!

Have you found it makes you feel better? I definately notice it when I eat more natural things. x

[mrsjcc]

I try to stay away from Preservatives as much as possible. It really helps to check out natural food stores in your area. You'd be amazed the great stuff you can get at places like that with no preservatives.

[bethers]

I stay away from preservatives and most processed foods. The only "processed" foods in our house are brown rice & brown rice cakes and yeast-free rye bread (all for my DH) and Lara Bars which are made from all natural/organic ingredients. Oh, we also have a jar of organic cashew butter (for my DH) and a jar of organic crunchy almond butter (for me).

Otherwise everything we eat is a whole food. Meats: chicken, ham, turkey, grass-fed beef
Lots of vegetables (no corn or potatoes though). We are trying a new veg every week, which helps to keep it interesting. Lots of fruit (mostly berries, but we do have apples, pears, and occasionally bananas too). Variety of raw nuts & seeds. We buy organic whenever possible.

We also only use 2 oils in our house. Virgin Coconut Oil for cooking/baking (not that I bake much anymore) and Extra Virgin Olive Oil for homemade salad dressings.

[Lala0424]

Thanks for the responses everyone!

I plan on gradually switching over to that lifestyle instead of sending my husband into complete shock.

Unfortunately we live in a small town with no real health food stores. I guess I'll just be spending a lot of time in the produce section at the grocery store!

Any good recipe ideas?
Bethers - How do the Lara bars taste?

Thanks again!

Heather

[bethers]

Heather - The Lara Bars are really good. My particular favourite is the Cocoa Mole. It has a resemblance to a brownie, and by the time you finish the bar, the chile pepper taste kicks in. It is a great combo. I bought the Ginger bar the other day, but haven't had a chance to try it yet.