Agree 100% on this
@Brookswood.
When I stick to non-processed, low sugar, simple foods, I can
feel my body just breathing a sigh of relief and my osteoarthritis stiffness is much less, as is any water retention. More energy, lose weight easily. Sleep better for sure. I also eat once a day on a regular basis.
To avoid and stop being tempted to buy "easy to make" processed foods I just think: "What do they put in it, to cause the shelf life to be so LONG??"
I don't cook much at all, though. I do grill or bake some fish or a large homemade dish of something like biscuits or Mac a cheese for DH once every now and then. I try to eat raw fruits, nuts, berries, and veggies as much as possible; or veggies slightly steamed or grilled. I stick to boiled eggs, or an egg on certain whole grain/nut based bread with no sugar added, with smashed avocado, etc. Make my own granola, too..a fabulous granola.
Big Food is not our friend.