Benefits Of Clean Eating For Our Health

Clean eating implores us only to eat those foods that by definition are fresh, whole, and as close to nature as possible. Unlike other ways of eating that challenge us to limit calorie or carbohydrate consumption, clean eating encourages followers to eat those foods that are unprocessed, minimally refined, and able to distribute the best in nutrition, in other words filling your diet with whole food. Clean eating is all about eating a little more of this and not so much of that. It's about making a conscious effort to pay attention to what you are putting in your mouth.

Eat Whole Food

Whole foods that foods eaten in the natural state without processing and with all their vital nutrients intact. It’s the difference between an apple and apple pie or a baked potato and a potato chip. Switching to a diet comprised of whole foods gives you many benefits. Whole food is real food, nutritious, delicious and gives your body the substance it needs to thrive. Clear Your KitchenGet rid of all unhealthy, processed and junk foods from your kitchen.

Start Slow in the Beginning

Changing the way, you eat should not be a rapid progression. Instead, you want to start slow to avoid the risk of failure that can sometimes come with radically changing the foods you eat. Pick a day or a meal, to begin with, and focus on being consistent with that meal for a few weeks. Once you are comfortable with your habits, take another step by adding another meal or day of that centers around the concept of clean eating.

Plan Your Meals

If you do not know what’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner tomorrow, you may already be in for a bit of trouble. Take control of your dinner table and kitchen by taking a little time to plan! Your goal each week should be to lay out your meal plans for the week so that you do not fall back into those old habits of grabbing a processed meal in a box. Once you know what your meal plan is for the week, make a grocery list. Grocery lists can be a lifesaver and help you control those impulses to buy things that are not on the list. With that said, seize opportunities to buy certain foods in bulk such as legumes, nuts, and seeds or other foods that will keep.

Try Preparing Enough Food for a Week

There is no hard-set rule that you must prepare a fresh meal every night or throughout the day. Consider preparing enough food for the week so that you are better able to stick with the plan! Most foods will hold for three to five days in the refrigerator, but you also have the option to freeze those meals that you may not be planning to eat until later during the week (i.e., Thursday or Friday). You may even consider purchasing a few meal prep containers to store your foods properly. Nonetheless, feel free to mix and match refrigerator and freezer-friendly meal ideas.

There’s a lot that goes into meal preparation activities including the process of shopping for your foods. You may want to consider purchasing your meals the day before the actual prep work – mainly if you are short on time (i.e., 2-3 hours for meal prep activities). Shop smartly by planning recipes that have some overlap of ingredients. This practice can save you both money and time in the grocery store. If the task of preparing meals for the week feels a bit daunting, take it slow at first. Schedule time for your meal preparation activities. Don’t be afraid to move the time around to see if there is a certain point in the day that works best for you. Aim for preparing one or two meals at a time until you figure out what works well or not so well. Start by preparing meals you are most comfortable with first. New recipes can take more time and make the task of early preparation feel tedious.

It’s Okay to Repeat the Same Meal More Than Once

You may find yourself eating the same meal more than once for lunch or dinner throughout the week. This decision is just fine as there will be the time that you prepare enough food to eat the same thing more than once. So, during the preparation process, feel free to double-up on the recipe. Enjoy the leftovers and learn what you can about portions for the next time. Aim For Three To Six Meals Per DayOne of the keys to success with practicing clean eating is to aim for three to six meals per day. This action will help you regulate your blood sugar while also boosting your metabolism.

First, your stomach will thank you for not leaving it hungry and craving bad things and for those of you seeking a bit of weight loss, this practice will generally support your quest to shed a few pounds. Eat BreakfastFind a way to eat breakfast! Eating breakfast contributes to a powerful metabolism and increases your ability to control your appetite all day long. Skipping breakfast can increase your urge and cravings to consume large amounts of foods and even slip into the dangerous pattern of eating the wrong stuff.

Master Portion Control

Clean eating is healthier than the average diet, but you still have to monitor your portion control –especially if you are in pursuit of weight loss. For those of you who elect to follow a low-carb, clean eating diet, portion control will be necessary when consuming products like brown rice that have high carbohydrate contents. Load up on veggies, adjust your portions for carb-laden dishes. Stock Up On Clean Eating SnacksIf you enjoy a decent snack, make sure to a stock your snack arsenal with foods that are “clean eating” friendly. The temptation to snack is always there looming in the background, waiting for you to have a stressful moment or skip a meal. Stay prepared with fresh snacks on the road, at work, and in your home.

Load Up On Veggies

Vegetables are an abundant resource for vitamins, fiber, minerals, proteins, antioxidants and so much more! Try to eat two servings of leafy greens every day to secure an adequate intake of vegetables. Over time, you should plan to build a healthy relationship with your produce department at the grocery store. Veggies are where you will get the biggest bang for your buck. Try to try different vegetables so that you can learn which of these items you like best. Keep It FunOkay, so the last tip encourages you to build a healthy relationship with your produce department and taste every veggie there is!

However, over time you will eventually achieve this goal. There is a real risk that you will eventually grow bored with eating the same old healthy foods. Should this happen, there are a few random actions you can take to keep it interesting.Learn About Seasonal Fruits And VeggiesIf you want to keep it interesting or if you are watching your wallet, take some time to learn about seasonal fruits and vegetables. Seasonal purchases are a great way to save money while also enjoying a good harvest. Be AdventurousFor the adventurous soul, try something strange each week –meaning, step outside of your comfort zone to taste something new! From new veggies to challenging recipes to a different herb or spice, this is a great way to keep your journey moving while also expanding your palate's repertoire.

Mix Things Up

Do not settle for the standard or same old combination of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don’t get caught in a rut by eating the same breakfast every day switch your meals around or pull in elements from your lunch for breakfast. Look for ways to bring life to your salad by giving it a little texture. Try out different mixes of greens, fruits, and proteins in your salad. Jicama, artichokes, and chickpeas can spruce up your salad. Try creating your own salad dressing by combining healthy oils (i.e., olive, grapeseed) and lemon or vinegar with a few spices like cilantro or dill and refrigerate the leftover for the next day.