[Self-Introduction] Why I started "Casual Additive-Free" living, and the 3 ailments I was able to let go of🌿

Nice to meet you! Thank you so much for opening this article among the many on note. I am [Haruka @ Choosing Body-Friendly Foods], and I share information about additive-free foods you can buy at the supermarket and food that is kind to your body.

In this note, I will share knowledge that you can use starting with your next shopping trip, aimed at those who feel that "being strictly additive-free is exhausting, but I want to protect my family's and my own body as much as I can."

For this momentous first article, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and talk about "why I started an additive-free life" and "the 3 ailments I was able to let go of after changing my eating habits."

🍱 My past of relying entirely on deli foods and convenience store bento boxes

Although I am now someone who posts about "additive-free" and "organic" living, until a few years ago, my awareness regarding food was practically zero.

Chased by work and the busyness of daily life, I even thought that for meals, "anything is fine as long as it fills my stomach." My daily routine was to return home late at night and get by with convenience store bento boxes, discounted deli items from the supermarket, or instant noodles.

I had never once looked at the back of a product (the ingredient label).

At the time, I was constantly in a state of "feeling somewhat unwell." I was convinced that this was normal.

🌿 A small trigger that led me to learn about the "backside of food"

One day, while continuing that kind of life, I happened to take a look at the back of a convenience store bento box I had picked up.

There, after the "/" (slash), was a long list of katakana I had never even heard of. I still vividly remember the sudden feeling of terror as I thought, "Have I been eating these mysterious things every day...?"

From there, I began to teach myself about food additives and organic products. As I researched, I learned about Japan's food additive approval standards and the existence of "substitutes" hidden behind low prices, and I decided, "From now on, I will choose what goes into my own mouth myself."

✨ The 3 ailments I was able to let go of by starting "Casual Additive-Free" living

That said, it is impossible to eliminate all additives at once. I started by changing my "basic seasonings (sashisuseso)" to genuine additive-free ones. Then, I began by reducing the number of times I bought deli foods and increasing simple home cooking.

It was a "casual" start, but as I continued for a few months, clear changes came to my body. I was able to let go of the following 3 ailments that I had been struggling with for a long time.

1. The chronic sluggishness of "not being able to get up" in the morning Previously, when I woke up in the morning, my body felt as heavy as lead, and I never woke up feeling refreshed. However, after reviewing my eating habits, perhaps because the quality of my sleep improved, I became able to move smoothly from the morning. The "mysterious fatigue" during the day also disappeared as if it were a lie.

2. Recurring adult acne and skin trouble The adult acne around my jawline, which wouldn't heal even with expensive skincare, disappeared before I knew it. This was the moment I realized firsthand that what we eat becomes our cells and builds our skin.

3. Mysterious irritability and mood swings This might be the change that surprised me the most. I used to get irritated over trivial things or suddenly feel down, but my mind became calm and steady. I learned later that when your gut environment is balanced, your mental state stabilizes too. High-quality food has enriched even my heart.

⚖️ Why 'relaxed' additive-free? The reason I don't aim for perfection

Having read this far, you might be thinking, 'Additive-free is amazing!' However, I have no intention of claiming in this note that 'food additives are all poison, so you must never eat them!'

This is because I believe that 'the stress of seeking perfection is worse for your body than additives.'

Being too obsessed with being additive-free, having nothing to eat because 'this is bad, that is bad,' not being able to enjoy eating out, and getting exhausted from rising food costs... Actually, this is a trap I once fell into in the past.

In modern society, it is impossible to have zero additives unless you live like a hermit. There are definitely benefits to having additives, such as preventing food poisoning and reducing the burden of housework.

That is why I recommend a 'relaxed additive-free' stance of 'setting the foundation with 80% home cooking and enjoying the remaining 20% freely'as.

When I go out, I eat delicious cake, and on busy days, I rely on store-bought deli food. Even so, if you have the basic knowledge, you can choose 'better' and 'safer' things for yourself.

Finally: What I will be delivering in this note

'Knowledge about food is a lifelong charm to protect yourself and your loved ones.' But there is no need to think about it in a difficult way.

In this note, I will provide easy-to-understand information that you can use for your shopping starting tomorrow, such as:

• 'Don't get lost at the supermarket! How to read ingredient labels'

• 'List of safe additive-free foods you can buy in your neighborhood'

• 'Reviews of organic products I'm glad I bought' and more.

I want this to be a place where those who think 'organic seems expensive' or 'I don't really understand additives' can feel supported and step up little by little together.

I hope that your daily dining table becomes even a little safer, more delicious, and more heart-lifting.

If you could resonate with this article even a little, clicking 'Like' or 'Follow' would be a huge encouragement for my future activities!

I look forward to getting to know you from here on out🌿