What Is Clean Eating?

What is Clean Eating?
Are you wondering what clean eating is? Would you be surprised to hear that there really aren’t any fitness goals you can achieve without it? This may seem extreme, but the simple truth is, you just can’t get healthy without eating healthy. You can exercise from the time the rooster crows until the cows come home, but if you make a run through your local drive-through afterwards, you just are not going to get anywhere. Food is the big ticket to good health. If you eat garbage, your body will show it. If you eat whole, healthy and fresh foods, your body, skin and soul will glow and you’ll have endless energy.

How To Eat Clean:

• Eat Lots of Plants

Eat food that is straight from nature. Some people say “as close to the way nature made it as possible.” But I think that leaves too much wiggle room – in my humble opinion. Eat mostly foods that are off a tree, bush, plant or vine, and you’ve pretty much got it covered. The idea is to stay away from anything that humans (food corporations) have altered in any way.

• Include Meats

Eat meats that are whole and straight from the butcher. Don’t buy pre-packaged meat products because you never know what’s in them. When possible, buy whole meats and grind them yourself. You’d be surprised what’s in ground turkey meat! You can also select a few turkey breasts and ask that the butcher grind them for you. Many butchers are more than willing to accommodate. If visiting a butcher is unrealistic – buy organic, hormone free meats.

• Enjoy Grains

Eat grains that are still complete and haven’t been broken down into “glue”. Stick to brown rice, whole wheat and other whole grains.

• Read Labels

Be Careful! I don’t know how many loaves of bread I’ve picked up at the store that say they are whole grain. But when I take a look at the ingredient list, white flour is the second ingredient after whole wheat flour!

• Eat Fewer Ingredients

Try not to purchase foods that have more than 3-6 ingredients in the ingredient list. And be sure you recognize each and every ingredient. If you find a “mystery ingredient” such as “spices”, contact the company! Ask them what they consider to be spices. If it’s anything other than honest-to-goodness herbs and spices, avoid it! And remember, if you can’t pronounce it, it probably shouldn’t go into your body.

• Eat 5 to 6 Small Meals a Day

This may seem like a lot at first. But remember, you are eating smaller portions. If you have a really hard time with this, prepare your regular three meals and a snack for the day, and divide lunch and dinner in half. That way you’ve instantly got 6 small meals!

Short 4 Minute Video

In Conclusion:

Many folks who are very accustomed to processed foods have a difficult time with (i.e., don’t like the taste of) the natural flavors of real food. They claim they don’t like vegetables or anything much that is healthy. If you are one of these people, I’m here to tell you that over time, your taste buds WILL change. If you start eating this way regularly, you’ll see that eventually, the stuff you used to love just doesn’t taste the same any longer. I’ve even found this to be true with organic foods. There are certain foods I ALWAYS buy organic. On occasion, when these foods become available to my dinner plate in a non-organic version, I can definitely taste the difference! It’s amazing how “numb” our taste buds have become to real foods. Give it time. You’ll learn to love your spinach!