Healthy Eating: Pros And Cons Of Health Food

Eating a healthy diet may improve your health and prevent disease. Health foods are generally whole, unprocessed foods that do not contain artificial preservatives or additives. Health foods have a higher nutritional value than processed foods, yet they cost more and take a greater amount of time to prepare. Consult your nutritionist about the pros and cons of health foods in your diet.

Pro: Nutritional Value

Health foods have a high content of nutrients, such as protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The 2010 United States Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that you consume nutrient-dense foods and beverages. These include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, fat-free or low-fat dairy, seafood, lean meat and poultry, garlic and green tea. You can find a wide selection of these foods at your local health food store.

Pro: No Harmful Chemicals

Compared with conventional fruits and vegetables, organic produce contains higher concentrations of antioxidants and lower amounts of nitrates and pesticide residues, according to research by scientists at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona and published in the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" in 2001. Consumption of organophosphates from pesticides may increase your risk of attention-deficit and hyperactive behavior. Research by scientists at Harvard University School of Public Health and published in "Pediatrics" in 2010 discovered that exposure to organophosphates at levels common among children in the United States may contribute to the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Con: Cost

Health foods, particularly organic produce and meat and poultry from animals that are grown without crates and cages or fed or injected with antibiotics or hormones, may cost more than conventional animal products. Yet certain fruits, vegetables and meats may not be worth the extra expense, according to a report in Businessweek in 2004. This is especially true when the cost difference is wide and the health benefits may not appear to be as extreme. The report highlights a case of organic bananas costing over 60 percent more than conventionally grown bananas with pesticides that likely do not reach the fruit after the skin is removed. Scientists at Harvard Medical School say that you should wash fruits and vegetables and peel them whenever possible to remove any pesticide residues, particularly with bananas, carrots, corn and potatoes.

Con: Inconvenience

Preparing meals with health foods can take longer than cooking with processed foods. Creating a meal with health foods requires that you purchase the raw ingredients. Making meals with whole grains or legumes can take time because of the soaking and cooking of the raw ingredients that may be necessary, as well as adding other foods and spices prior to serving the meal.