What Is "Clean Eating" Exactly??
What Is “Clean Eating” Exactly??
Does figuring out the best way to eat healthy or how to eat clean seem a little overwhelming to you??
I can defiantly relate when I first decided to start eating healthy for myself and my family I felt a little overwhelmed because there is so many contradictions on what is actually healthy and what isn’t.
Clean eating is not a diet, but a way of consuming certain foods as part of your lifestyle. It is a way of living that helps improve one's health and well-being overall.
Eat more real foods:
Eating more real foods and fewer processed or refined foods. Most packaged items are full of chemicals and toxins that cause damage to our organs, chronic diseases, cancers, anxiety, depression, digestive issues and much more. Avoiding artificial sweeteners, artificial colors/dyes, high fructose corn syrup, modified starches, bleached flour, and other toxins in the ingredients list helps you to consume more real food even when it’s boxed or prepackaged.
Vegetables and fruits are undeniably healthy. They're loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that help fight inflammation and protect your cells from damage. They normally aren’t packaged, so you don’t have to worry about artificial ingredients. Choosing organic produce can help you take clean eating one step further by reducing pesticide exposure and potentially boosting your health.
-Tip: The ingredients list is below the nutrition label (white box) on the back of a food package.-
Eat for nourishment:
Eat regular, balanced meals and healthy snacks that are nourishing to the body. Learning to choose food that will help you boost energy levels, loose weight, relive anxiety, ect encourages better performance in other aspects of your day. Skipping meals can leave you feeling drained and exhausted, but being smart about what your having for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks can give you sustain energy levels all day.
-Tip: Choosing Omega-3 foods will help with energy boost, anxiety relief, and boost weight loss.-
View my other blog discussing the best Omega-3 foods here…. BLOG LINK
Eat more plant-based foods:
Our minds are trained to think that meat or dairy is the only way to consume protein, but that’s not true! Eating more plant-based proteins, such as beans, lentils and peas, and high-protein whole grains, like quinoa and brown rice keep you fuller longer, boost weight loss, and are better for your cardiovascular system then consuming lots of meat. Consuming more plant based foods will cause you to look “leaner and slim” also.
-Tip: Add quinoa or brown rice to a recipe in place of pasta-
Avoid vegetable oils and spreads:
Vegetable oils and margarines don't qualify for clean eating at all. They’re produced with chemical extraction, making them highly processed. Some oils also contain high levels of the omega-6 fat linoleic acid. Studies in animals and isolated cells suggest that it increases inflammation, potentially raising your risk of weight gain and heart disease.
-Tip: Clean eating discourages all vegetable oils and spreads, but olive oil is a great alternative or replacement in a recipe.-
Make water your primary beverage:
Water is the healthiest and most natural beverage you can drink. It doesn’t contain additives, sugars, artificial sweeteners, or other questionable ingredients. It really is the cleanest beverage you can drink! Water can keep you hydrated and may also help you achieve a healthy weight. Unsweetened coffee and tea are also good choices and provide several health benefits, but people who are sensitive to caffeine may need to moderate their intake.
-Tip: Most flavored waters contain an artificial sweetener, so check the labels.-
