The term "whole foods" refers to unprocessed, or minimally processed, foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. This means they have not been refined, chemically altered, or stripped of essential nutrients through processing methods such as bleaching, deodorizing, or chemical additives. Whole foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins like fish and poultry. The idea behind consuming whole foods is to provide the body with nutrient-dense foods that can promote optimal health and wellness.