What is JERF? Why “Just Eat Real Food” Is the Foundation of Lasting Health

J.E.R.F.

What Does JERF Mean?

JERF stands for “Just Eat Real Food.”

Real food is recognizable. It’s food your great-grandmother would understand. And it’s the kind of nourishment your body was designed to thrive on.

At its core, JERF is a simple but powerful concept:

Eat food in its most natural, unprocessed form—free from additives, chemicals, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and hormones.

What Counts as Real Food (and What Doesn’t)?

Let’s break it down with real-life examples:

• Fresh apple → ✅ Real food

• Dried apple (no added sugar or preservatives) → ✅ Real food

• Applesauce with added sugar or preservatives → ❌ Not real food

• Packaged snack bar “made with apples” → ❌ Not real food

If a food is heavily processed, comes with a long ingredient list, or requires a marketing

team to convince you it’s healthy—it’s probably not real food.

Why Eating Real Food Matters More Than Ever

Your body is an incredibly intelligent, complex system. But it can only function optimally when it’s given the right inputs.

When you consistently just eat real food, you reduce inflammatory stress on the body and support the systems that regulate energy, hormones, digestion, immunity, and detoxification. This isn’t about dieting or restriction. It’s about fueling your body with what it actually recognizes as food.

Eating real food can help:

A woman in a modern kitchen joyfully prepares a meal with fresh vegetables, lemons, and bread, embodying the essence of real, wholesome food.

• Improve brain clarity and focus

• Support balanced hormones

• Enhance mood and emotional resilience

• Improve sleep quality

• Increase steady, sustainable energy

• Support metabolic balance

• Improve recovery after exercise

• Strengthen immune function

• Reduce long-term disease risk

What Does a Just Eat Real Food Diet Look Like?

As a general guideline:

If you can grow it, raise it, or harvest it—it’s likely real food.

Real-food staples include:

• Meat, poultry, and fish: (organic, grass-fed, pasture-raised, or wild-caught when possible)

• Vegetables and fruits: (organic when available, especially for the “dirty dozen”)

• Nuts and seeds: (raw or minimally processed)

• Whole grains: (such as quinoa, amaranth, or steel-cut oats—if appropriate for your body)

• Natural sweeteners: Used sparingly: raw honey or coconut sugar (stevia or monk fruit may be better tolerated for some)

What About Packaged Foods?

Real life happens—and sometimes packaged foods are unavoidable. If you wouldn’t cook with it at home, it probably doesn’t belong in your body.

When you do buy packaged items, follow this rule:

✅ 3–5 ingredients or fewer

✅ No added sugars

✅ Ingredients you can pronounce and recognize

Source: https://www.reusethisbag.com/articles/food-labeling

JERF Is Simple—But Not Always Easy

While the concept of JERF is straightforward, implementation can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re dealing with fatigue, cravings, digestive issues, hormone imbalance, or years of confusing nutrition advice.

That’s where personalized guidance makes all the difference.

Ready to Simplify Your Nutrition Without the Guesswork?

If you know eating real food matters—but struggle with consistency, cravings, or knowing what actually works for your body—you don’t have to figure it out alone.

At Krehbiel Natural Health, every journey begins with a Self-Sabotage Breakthrough Session. This focused session helps uncover what’s getting in your way and creates a clear, realistic path forward—without overwhelm.

Gwen Krehbiel, Owner & CNHP

During your session, we’ll explore:

• Where processed foods may be sneaking in

• Why cravings or energy crashes keep happening

• What your body needs right now to feel better

Schedule your Self-Sabotage Breakthrough Session today and take the first step toward a real-food lifestyle that actually supports your health.

Schedule your Self-Sabotage Breakthrough Session today

Medical disclaimer: This information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment. Medical conditions require medical care.