Clean Eating 101

What is “Clean Eating”?

Clean eating is simply eating foods as close to their natural state as possible. Foods that are highly processed or contain highly processed ingredients are not considered “clean” foods. There are certain aspects of “clean eating” that vary from person to person, however that is the basic explanation of it!
The following foods are typically not considered “clean”: cookies, chips, crackers, candy, white breads and pastas, sugary cereal, fast food, frozen dinners and most packaged goods.

 

For those interested in switching to a healthy, clean-eating lifestyle, here are a few tips:

• Start making your own meals from wholesome lean proteins, veggies, fruit and healthy fats. Basically, eat as close to natural as possible!
• See my grocery list for an example of clean foods!
• Remember healthy food does not have to be expensive. Check out my tips for shopping on a budget if this is a concern!
• Toss (or donate if you’re so inclined) and avoid buying the following: soda, diet soda, fruit juice, sports drinks, cookies, chips, crackers, candy, ice cream, pudding, jell-o, flavored yogurt, condiments like mayo, ketchup, ranch and other fattening/sugary dressings and marinades, deli meats, processed meats, white breads and pastas, sugary cereals, packaged processed crap, granola bars. Most are full of sugar and processed, chemical junk! Sugar spikes insulin and promotes fat storage and has been linked to numerous, serious health conditions such as obesity, heart disease and some types of cancer.
• Recipe possibilities are virtually endless and there is no need for healthy food to be boring. Use popular search engines like Google to look for “clean eating” recipes.
• Start slow. Try swapping out on meal a day that is typically unhealthy. So for example if you usually grab a doughnut or pastry for breakfast, try making a healthier breakfast with eggs and old-fashioned oatmeal with cinnamon & Stevia! (Remember not to buy the pre-sweetened variety). It only takes 5 minutes to make and will give you tons of healthy nutrients and energy to tide you over for several hours! Each day, aim to make your choices healthier. In time it will become habit!
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