Whole foods are obtained directly from plants and animals as
opposed to processed foods, which are stripped of their natural
nutrients and have artificial ingredients added. Whole foods are
profuse with micronutrient vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and
phytochemicals. Processed foods have a longer shelf life than
whole foods because artificial ingredients are added to them, so
that these foods can have a longer shelf life. Monosodium
glutamate is also added to make it taste better. Unlike
processed foods whole foods have nothing added or taken away as
they are obtained directly from nature. An example of a whole
food is brown rice. In the production of white rice the germ and
inner husk is removed resulting in the loss of vitamins and
minerals such as vitamin E, selenium, iron, magnesium, zinc, B
vitamins, lignans, phenolic acids, phytoestroges and other
phtyochemicals, that are considered helpful in reducing the risk
of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. All of these nutrients
are also essential to build m