Embracing a Healthier Lifestyle: Understanding Food and Beauty Choices

A Smarter Way to Understand What We Eat

As awareness grows around the impact of food processing on health, two systems have emerged to help consumers and professionals better understand what’s in our food: NOVA and WISEcode. While both aim to clarify food processing, they take very different approaches.

The NOVA Classification System

The NOVA classification system groups foods into four categories based on the extent and purpose of processing:

1. Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods

2. Processed Culinary Ingredients

3. Processed Foods

4. Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)

   
   

Its strength lies in simplicity. By focusing on how much a food has been altered from its natural state, NOVA helps highlight the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods. These foods are often linked to obesity, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. However, critics argue that NOVA can be too broad. For example, whole-grain bread and sugary breakfast cereals may both fall under “ultra-processed,” despite having vastly different nutritional profiles.

The WISEcode Approach

WISEcode (World Ingredient Safety and Evaluation Code) takes a more granular approach. It decodes food products based on their individual ingredients, assessing each for its level of processing and potential health impact. This system provides:

• Ingredient-level transparency

• Digital access to detailed processing data

• A more nuanced view of food quality

  
  

Unlike NOVA, WISEcode doesn’t lump foods into broad categories. Instead, it empowers consumers to make informed choices by understanding how and why each ingredient was processed.

Finding new ways of shopping can help you make cleaner, healthier choices.

What’s Really in Your Skincare?

When it comes to skincare, what you put on your body can be just as important as what you put in it. Many conventional beauty products contain ingredients known as hormone disruptors—chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances that can interfere with your endocrine system and potentially impact your health over time.

These substances may mimic or block hormones, leading to imbalances that affect everything from mood and metabolism to reproductive health. Cleaning up your skincare routine by choosing products with transparent labeling, natural ingredients, and certifications like “paraben-free” or “EWG Verified” is a smart step toward protecting your hormonal health. Your skin absorbs much of what you apply, so opting for clean, non-toxic formulas is a powerful way to support your body’s natural balance.

Apps Can Help You Shop Smarter

Want to make smarter shopping decisions without the stress? There’s an app for that—actually, several! From comparing prices and tracking sales to scanning product ingredients and earning cash back, shopping apps are transforming the way we buy. These digital tools help you stay organized, save money, and make more informed choices, whether you're grocery shopping, restocking beauty essentials, or hunting for the best deal online.

Many even offer personalized recommendations based on your preferences and past purchases. By integrating a few smart apps into your routine, you can shop with confidence, clarity, and convenience—no more impulse buys or missed savings!

Whether you're scanning a snack or a serum, these apps make clean living easier:

Clean Food Apps

• Yuka – Scan food items for health ratings and cleaner alternatives.

• EWG’s Healthy Living – Ratings for over 120,000 food and personal care products.

• Detox Me – Tips and guides for reducing toxic exposure in food and household items.

  
  

Clean Beauty Apps

• Think Dirty – Rates beauty products on a toxicity scale and suggests safer options.

• CosmEthics – Scans barcodes and flags harmful ingredients.

• Skin Deep (EWG) – Breaks down ingredient safety and offers verified clean products.

  
  

Apps can make clean living easier.

Steps to Clean Up Your Diet and Beauty Routine

Ready to refresh your lifestyle? Cleaning up your diet and beauty routine is a powerful way to support your overall well-being from the inside out. Start by simplifying your meals—focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods like fresh vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats, while cutting back on processed items and added sugars.

At the same time, take a closer look at your beauty products: opt for clean, non-toxic formulas free from harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and parabens. This dual approach not only enhances your energy and skin health but also reduces your exposure to potentially harmful ingredients. Small, consistent changes can lead to lasting transformation—your body and skin will thank you!

Reduce Ultraprocessed Foods

1. Start Small – Swap one processed item per week for a whole food alternative.

2. Read Labels – Watch for long ingredient lists, added sugars, and artificial additives.

3. Cook at Home – Control ingredients and avoid hidden toxins.

4. Choose Whole Grains – Replace white rice and bread with brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat.

5. Plan Snacks – Keep fruits, nuts, and homemade treats on hand.

6. Avoid Sugary Drinks – Opt for water, herbal teas, or homemade smoothies.

7. Eat Out Wisely – Choose restaurants that offer whole food options.

   
   

Switch to Clean Beauty

1. Scan Before You Buy – Use apps like Think Dirty or Yuka.

2. Simplify Your Routine – Fewer products mean fewer toxins.

3. DIY When Possible – Make your own masks, scrubs, and moisturizers.

4. Check Certifications – Look for EWG Verified, USDA Organic, or cruelty-free labels.

5. Stay Informed – Follow clean beauty blogs and trusted sources.

   
   

Take a Step Forward to Cleaner Living

Clean living isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. With tools like WISEcode and ingredient-scanning apps, you can make informed choices that support your health and well-being. Whether you're revamping your pantry or your skincare shelf, every small change adds up.

Ready to start your clean living journey? Try scanning your next grocery item or beauty product and see what you discover. You might be surprised—and inspired—to make a switch. If you need help learning to focus on whole-food eating, working with a registered dietitian might be a great next step.