What is Clean Eating?

Clean eating seems to be somewhat of a buzz word, but what the heck do I mean when I say clean eating?

Clean eating is not just about trying to lose weight. It’s about making better food choices that make you healthier.Most of today’s food is processed to some degree. When you consume one food product, you are often unknowingly introducing your body to so many other toxins and chemicals as well. These may be foods of convenience or flavor, but they are leaving your body and mind weaker and unhappier, and you don’t even know it.

What is Clean Eating?

Clean eating is a journey to making sure that you only allow natural things to enter your body. This ensures that you keep out as many harmful chemicals and preservatives as possible that can cause your energy levels fluctuate and impede the freshness of the food. It is a lifestyle shift that leaves you feeling better than ever. There are a few basic principles to keep in mind to get—and keep—you on the right path.

Shop Consciously

It is time to you pay extra attention to the kinds of things you are buying. This means knowing what fruits and vegetables are in season, what produce is sourced locally, and what produce is grown organically. It is important so you do not end up consuming pesticide residue or produce that is treated by hormones; that can be counter-productive, even if you are eating what you think you should be eating.

Start asking grocers and farmers where they get what you are buying to ensure that you buy the freshest and most top-quality produce, free of toxins.

If you are buying packaged foodstuff, make it a habit to read the nutrition label. Nutrition labels containing more than five ingredients or difficult to pronounce names should raise red flags and be avoided.

Check out this article: Do I Really Need to Buy Organic?

Cook Consciously

What you eat matters, of course, but so does how you make it. Make sure that you stay away from methods that take away nutrients from food that is inherently nutritious. This includes deep frying or stewing in animal or plant fats, or any methods that involve a high level of unhealthy fat. It is a better – also quicker and easier – method to just steam or bake vegetables.

Try substituting avocado oil for butter wherever you can to avoid the saturated fats. While olive oil, coconut oil and avocado oils are better choices than other oils, they are still a processed food and I would suggest limiting their intake. Try sauteing thing with just a little water. You’ll be surprised that sometimes it works just as well.

Try to avoid using salt in high quantities and try healthier, more interesting alternatives to salt such as spices, herbs, and lemon. Spruce up your meal as well as your health. Also, if you are debating eating out or cooking in, it is always better to be in control of how you make your food.

Choose Consciously

Be smart about what you choose to eat. Choose foods that are in their natural form. Ones that look as close as they can to how they came out of the ground. Get your fill of nutrients with 2 ½ to 3 cups of fresh fruits and vegetables to fight against the risk of developing illnesses such as heart problems, blood pressure irregularities, obesity, and cancer.

Try eating your vegetables raw or steamed to make the most out of the nutrients they carry. The safest methods of clean eating are steaming, baking, and sautéing in order to ensure that the natural nutritional value of the food is maintained. Do not be afraid to try out vegetables in places you have not before, in forms you have not tried before.

Need Help Getting Started?

Making changes to your diet can be very daunting. That’s why I’m here to hold your hand and coach you during this time of transition. Join my next 6 week FASTer Way to Fat Loss round where I’ll walk you through a proven nutrition and fitness program that will help you to establish your healthy habits for life. Click here to find out more and when my next group program will be starting.

Are you ready to step into your new clean eating routine?