What We Mean by ‘Whole Foods’, and Why It Matters

Ever heard someone say “just eat whole foods” and immediately felt confused?

When we first started learning about wellness, we kept seeing that phrase everywhere. It sounded good. It sounded healthy. But what does it actually mean?

At Bread and Body, we’re all about making health feel less overwhelming. That starts with getting clear on the basics. In this post, we’re breaking down what whole foods really are, why they matter, and how you can start including more of them in your life—without stress or perfection.

What Are Whole Foods?

Whole foods are simply foods that are as close to their natural state as possible.

Think about a sweet potato instead of a bag of chips. An apple instead of apple-flavored snacks. Chicken breast instead of frozen nuggets.

Whole foods haven’t been heavily processed, stripped of nutrients, or filled with additives. They’re usually made of just one ingredient—or a few that you recognize and can pronounce.

Some everyday examples include:

• Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables
• Eggs, meat, and seafood
• Legumes, brown rice, and quinoa
• Nuts, seeds, and olive oil
• Herbs, spices, and natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup
  

Why it Can Be Confusing

The term “whole foods” gets thrown around a lot in wellness spaces, but it’s not always clearly defined. To make it more confusing, many processed foods are marketed as healthy even when they’re far from it—like protein bars, flavored yogurts, and some boxed “whole grain” meals.

We’re not here to tell you to avoid every packaged food. But we do want to help you feel empowered to know what’s actually in your food and why it matters.

Why it Matters

When we started focusing on whole foods, the changes were real. More energy. Better digestion. Clearer thinking. Over time, it also helped support Mary’s autoimmune health in a powerful way.

Whole foods matter because they provide real nutrients your body can actually use. They support stable blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and nourish your gut. And by avoiding unnecessary additives, you’re giving your body a break from the extra work of filtering out chemicals it was never meant to process.

How We Got Started

When Mary began navigating her health diagnoses, food became one of the first areas we looked at. We didn’t change everything overnight. We started with small swaps—like choosing plain Greek yogurt with fruit and honey instead of pre-flavored options. That small change was the first of many.

We believe in progress, not perfection. We still enjoy flexibility in our food choices, but whole foods have become our default—and the foundation for our health.

Three Easy Swaps to Try

If you’re not sure where to start, try one of these simple changes:

• Trade sweetened cereal for steel-cut oats with banana and cinnamon
• Replace bottled salad dressing with olive oil and lemon or balsamic
• Choose plain Greek yogurt and top it with berries and a drizzle of honey

One change at a time adds up, and your body will notice the difference.

Final Thoughts

Whole foods aren’t a trend—they’re how our bodies were designed to be nourished. They support energy, healing, and clarity in a way that processed foods simply can’t.

If you’re ever unsure whether something counts as a whole food, our free AI chatbot is trained to help. Ask it your questions any time—it’s here to make things simpler, not more stressful.

Looking for more guidance? Download our free “Top 10 Whole Food Swaps” guide and take your next step toward feeling your best.