What is clean eating?!
This is a question I received and one that is asked by clients when I
talk to them about nutrition. First and
foremost, everyone has his or her own definition of clean eating. Mine consists of: eating as whole, fresh and
nutritious as possible, but finding your balance. So what does that mean you may ask? For me it’s eating foods as close to their
natural state as possible, or buying foods that have a short ingredient list
that I know what most of those ingredients are. And for me, highly limiting
processed foods. BUT, also finding a balance of enjoying foods that may not fit
into that category.
I think it’s important for everyone to know that a certain
way of eating isn’t always the right way for every single person. Our bodies are all different. Some of us may be able to exercise and eat
more of one thing than someone else. It’s
truly a trial and error and you have to find what works best for YOU. However, I believe that in order to feel and
look your best, you need to be eating those whole nutritious foods more than
the not so good stuff (cakes, cookies, candies, chips etc…) Many people out
there would argue that “clean eating” is just a bunch of crap and that you can
eat whatever you want yadda yadda yadda.
I disagree with that.
For example, a few months ago my dad had his yearly physical and his
cholesterol numbers were higher than the doctor had liked. Knowing that he could be headed down the
wrong path (my grandfather had high cholesterol and diabetes) I marched into my
parents house and taught them a little bit about “my” version of clean
eating. Did I expect them to wipe out
the fridge and cupboards with all the “not so good” food? No. I simply told them little swaps and changes
that they could make in order to be healthier.
After a few months of eating better and making the little swaps I
suggested, my dads cholesterol levels went back to normal. Did he stop eating his sweets and other not
so good food? No… he still enjoyed them,
just cut down on how often he ate them and increased the good foods. When you start to feed your body nutritious
foods it will begin to thank you from the inside out. I too have seen a difference in my body after
I started to eat this way.
I will often give my clients the challenge to start cutting
out highly processed food to see how they begin to feel. Slowly cleaning out the cupboards and making
the swaps. I then will often be asked
what is considered processed? Any food
that has been broken down from its natural whole state is essentially
processed. Also, highly processed foods
(such as white flour) have been stripped of most of its nutrients, causing that
food to have little nutritional value.
Examples of foods to start replacing are items such as-whole
grain brown rice for white rice, whole grain pasta with at least 5g of fiber
for white pasta, whole grain bread or Ezekiel bread for white bread, fresh
veggies and fruit over canned etc…
Over time these little changes will make a difference. Add in the amount of exercise to meet your
goals and you’ll start to see progress.
Take little steps toward eating healthier. Start small by beginning to swap things out
of your cupboards for better options, start to buy more fresh fruits, veggies
and lean meats and choose better carbs for your meals. The most important thing is to take it one
day at a time and have fun with creating healthier versions of your favorite
meals!
