Navigating Artificial Ingredients & Level 1

The Level 1 Framework is designed to help you make the transition to a whole food-based diet that eliminates most processed foods and maximizes the health of your gut microbiome. However, navigating what is healthy and what is not can be a daunting task when sorting through health jargon like “artificial ingredients” and “processed.”

At their most basic level, artificial ingredients include any man-made ingredients added to your food that can contain high levels of chemicals. Generally speaking, anything that can be found in a bag, box, or bottle should be avoided on Level 1 as it is likely processed and can contain various artificial ingredients that may harm your gut microbiome.

Artificial ingredients should be avoided for several reasons. Primarily, consuming high levels of artificial ingredients is associated with a number of negative health outcomes. These include potentially harmful side effects, including an enlargement of the small intestine, impaired nutrient absorption, increased deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, possible autoimmune diseases, increased microbial load, and more.

When in doubt, you should always look at the ingredient list for an item to determine if it contains any artificial ingredients. If it’s a whole food, such as a piece of fruit or a vegetable, it’s probably safe. But if it is packaged in an item such as a bag, box, or bottle, it is likely processed and contains artificial ingredients that should be avoided.

Making the transition to a whole food-based diet can be difficult, but understanding the difference between natural and artificial ingredients is an important step in the process of restoring gut microbial balance. With the Level 1 Framework as your guide, you can be well on your way to a healthier lifestyle.