Clean Eating

Clean Eating

We hear the term “clean eating” in the headlines this day and age. What exactly does it mean to eat “clean”? “Clean eating” is eating foods that are not processed, refines, or over handled. Making “clean” foods as close to their natural state as possible. “Clean eating” will improve health one meal at a time. “Clean eating” takes being aware of where foods comes from. Investing a little more time in the kitchen and reading food labels.

Processed foods are packed with sodium, sugars and fats. Pay attention to food labels. If there are more than 10 ingredients, or ingredients you cannot pronounce, put the package down and look for a cleaner alternative. Shopping for prepackaged foods raises the need to be overly aware of ingredients.

Eating more fruits and vegetables helps increase dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Fueling our body with whole energy rather than processed energy. Buy fruits and vegetables in season, buy local and buy in country. Produce from out of the country has to travel, harvesting too early lessens the nutrients.

Eat every color of the rainbow in a day. Eat reds, oranges, yellow, greens, blues and purple fruits and vegetables. For example; eat a whole breakfast with a protein and a smoothy. The smoothy can consist of frozen berries, a banana and spinach. This covers all colors and will give you the proper fuel to start your day.

Remember when eating “clean” we want to eat food as close to the natural state as possible.

Always cut down on saturated fats. One trick to judge this is, if it sticks to your plate it will stick to you. Cut down on butters, spreads, vegetable oils and try to opt for nut oils that stay in liquid form at room temperature.

Lower sugars and salts in your diet. Sugars and salts are often refined. Both should be consumed in small amounts. Try and stick with rock salts if salt is needed. Try raw local honey or organic maple syrup as a sweetener. Taste your food, not whats on it. This is a great way to stay “clean” without reinventing the wheel.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.