"إذا أتى من نبات فكلْه، إذا صُنع في مصنع فلا تأكلْه"

The essence of this quote is pretty straightforward: stick with food that's natural and avoid stuff that's been heavily processed. When we're talking about things like fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts—those come from plants. They’re packed with nutrients and generally good for you. On the flip side, processed foods, those that are made in factories ("plants"), tend to be loaded with sugars, unhealthy fats, and additives. They’re not the best for our bodies.

Now, this whole idea isn’t exactly new. It’s a sentiment that’s been echoed by nutritionists and health gurus for a while. Think back to the 1960s and 70s when there was a big push towards natural food and away from processed options. People started realizing that the rise in factory-made foods correlated with a rise in health issues like obesity and heart disease.

Let's paint a picture. Imagine you're in a grocery store. On one side, you’ve got the produce section—brightly colored fruits and veggies, all fresh and ready to be eaten. On the other side, you have aisles of packaged foods—chips, cookies, instant meals. Grabbing an apple or a bunch of spinach is the idea here. But snagging that bag of chips or a box of sugary cereal? Not so much.

So, how do you put this wisdom into practice? For starters, when you’re shopping, spend more time in the produce section and less in the snack aisles. If you can’t pronounce the ingredients on the label, maybe think twice about putting it in your cart. Also, cooking at home more often can help. When you prepare meals from scratch, you know exactly what's going into your food.

Picture this: Jane is a busy mom with two kids. She’s juggling work, school runs, and soccer practice. It’s tempting for her to grab quick, pre-packaged snacks and meals. But she notices that her family is feeling sluggish and maybe even putting on some extra weight. So, she decides to make a change. Instead of sugary cereals, she starts making oatmeal with fresh fruits. Instead of frozen dinners, she preps meals on weekends—roasted veggies, quinoa, grilled chicken. Sure, it takes a bit more effort, but soon, everyone’s feeling more energetic. Her kids are even asking for carrot sticks instead of chips!

By shifting her focus to foods that come from plants rather than those made in plants, Jane isn’t just feeding her family better; she’s setting them up with healthier habits for the future. And it can be the same for you. When you shop, think about what’s natural versus what’s processed. When you cook, think about whole, fresh ingredients. It's not about being perfect, but about making better choices more often than not.

So next time you’re in the store, or planning dinner, remember this simple idea. Natural, plant-based foods are your friends. Factory-made stuff? Not so much. And who knows, you might feel better, have more energy, and even discover some tasty new recipes along the way.