Eating clean is essentially, exactly what it sounds like. It is choosing foods that are as close to natural as possible, with little to no processing involved, and with no preservatives. People who choose to eat clean usually follow these five simple steps:
1. Eat Lots Of Plants: Eat food that is straight from nature. Some people say “as close to the way nature made it as possible.” 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.
2. Include Meats: Eat meats that are whole and straight from the butcher. Try and avoid buying 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 can be found 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.
3. 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. (For a list of foods to stock your pantry with, check out this list.)
4. Read Labels: A lot of foods disguise themselves as healthy by claiming to be whole grain, low fat, low sodium, etc. Next time, before putting the food item in your basket, take a look at the ingredient list. If you can’t pronounce something that’s listed, chances are it isn’t good for you. (Check out this list of 5 harmful ingredients commonly found in food.)
5. 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. Again, aim for whole foods; less is more.
This may seem difficult, but it’s really quite simple. Try shopping at local farmers markets, and aim to buy mostly organic and fresh ingredients. It all starts with what you have in your fridge; if you keep healthy foods in your home, you WILL eat healthier!
Photo credit:
Refrigerator Rehab: http://www.deliciouslywell.com/2013/01/04/a-clean-eating-kitchen-part-one-refrigerator-rehab/
Food Heart: http://athleanx.com/for-women/myth-busters-top-8-myths-about-clean-eating
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