When it comes to the foods you eat on a regular basis, there is no question you have your fair share of options. Walk into any grocery store and you will see a number of choices, all that look tantalizing to your taste buds. But as you put groceries into your cart, one thing you will want to be sure you are doing is opting for whole foods as often as possible.

Practicing the “single or one ingredient” rule or eating foods containing a single component is your best bet for optimal nutritional success. Why do this? Why not indulge in some of the more complex foods you enjoy?

Here are four great reasons…

1. Single Ingredient Foods Are Nutrient Dense. First, when you eat a food containing one component, you can rest assured you are getting a nutrient dense food. The more processed food is, the more it has been broken down from its original state, meaning the fewer nutrients it will contain.

Remember eating healthily is about more than just counting calories and the grams of macronutrients you consume. It is about taking in a vast array of micronutrients as well, meaning your vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

2. Single Ingredient Foods Rank Higher In Satiety. The next reason to opt for foods containing one component is they rank high on the satiety scale. These foods will satisfy your hunger head-on thanks to the high fiber content they usually contain.

While not all foods will be high in fiber: food such as a chicken breast for example; any foods carbohydrate based and single ingredient, usually will have more fiber in them.

3. Single Ingredient Foods Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels. Thanks to the fact these foods containing one component have more fiber, or else are a rich source of protein and dietary fats; this also means they will control your blood sugar levels better as well.

Controlling your blood sugar is important for those who are suffering from Type 2 diabetes or those people simply trying to prevent developing this form of diabetes. Likewise, if keeping your weight in check is a goal of yours, single ingredient foods can help with that as well.

4. Single Ingredient Foods Don’t Contain Artificial Ingredients. Finally, when you eat unprocessed foods made up of just one component this also means you will not take in a large dose of artificial sweeteners or other unhealthy ingredients. Instead, you get what Mother Nature put into those foods and what was naturally intended for your body to consume.

Food that does not contain artificial ingredients is a far better way to nourish your body and keep you feeling healthy.

Think twice before putting processed food in the shopping cart. As much as you can, put only single ingredient foods in your cart and use those to cook your meals from. Your body will thank you.