Principles of Clean Eating to Live By
Forget diets which are all doomed to fail after you get over the serious deprivation strategies. Instead switch your mindset to eating clean food at least 5 days of the week.
Take it from me, in my 20+ years of experience training and studying nutrition there really isn’t any diet that’s more sustainable long-term than clean eating. But more than being practical, this lifestyle will make you feel more energized and just good after what you have put in your tummy!
So what is the real definition of eating clean? The general idea is to focus on whole foods that foods that are minimally processed (if at all). In fact, it’s funny because I was talking to a friend the other day about all these apps which help you track your calories and she was showing me the bar code scanner which is included so you enter foods into your app easier, and yet the whole time all I could think about is that if you’re eating clean your food shouldn’t have bar codes on them!!!
Don’t read over that last sentence without really taking it to heart because it is the foundational principle which I’ll expand on below. Clean out your fridge and cupboards and if you haven’t yet make sure to sign up to my 5 day body transformation series and newsletter so you can keep expanding your knowledge on being and feeling your best.
Ok let’s get on with the simple tips you can implement right away…
7 Clean Eating Principles for a Healthier You
Adopt these principles and practices over the next 2 weeks, and get on track to a healthier (and slimmer) you.
1. Put an End to Fast Food
This one may be the most obvious, but it should also be taken the most seriously. Fast food just doesn’t work on a clean eating diet plan – or in any healthy lifestyle, for that matter. The main problem with fast foods is that most contain an enormous amount of processed ingredients. Add to this the extra salt, sugar, and fat, and you’re setting yourself up for failure.
2. Same Goes for Frozen Meals
Most frozen meals are just about as bad. Even with low-fat labels, the nutritional value is just not the same as what you get in fresh ingredients. Once you get into the clean eating mindset, it will be a no-brainer to keep your freezer free of the processed stuff.
3. Always Start with Whole Foods
Whenever you can and when it’s not incredibly burdensome, go for whole food ingredients. On a clean eating diet, most of your grocery list should involve fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, meats, nuts, and grains like brown rice and quinoa.
4. Avoid White Flour and Sugar
When it comes to carbohydrates, there’s no room for the processed and bleached stuff on a clean eating plan. Go for whole grains whenever possible, or cut out the wheat and added sugar altogether. Natural, unprocessed substitutes abound!
5. Stick to Water
Drop the soda and ditch the juices. Water is your best option on a clean eating plan. Not only is it free of all the unwanted (and unhealthy) sugars and sweeteners, it’s also the best natural detox for your body. Plus staying hydrated will keep you energized throughout the day.
6. Watch Your Portion Sizes
For the cleanest diet possible, you’ve got to listen to your body and stop overeating. Slow down, chew your food, enjoy it, and stop eating when you’re full. This is a good way to avoid all the extra calories and fat that you don’t need in your diet!
7. Eat Less More Often
You may have heard this recommendation before, but it’s another great principle to adopt on a clean eating diet. Eating smaller meals every 2-3 hours is a great way to keep your blood glucose levels balanced and your metabolism boosted, and that means more efficient fat-burning throughout the day.
Get started on your clean eating diet today – Clean out your kitchen by following The Master Cleanse, and stock up on these 7 Superfoods You Can Mix Into Any Dish. Superfoods offer an extra nutritional punch on a clean eating diet!
Have any questions or feedback about my Principles of Clean Eating to Live By? Please leave a comment below…
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Thank you for visiting! Weight Loss and Training is a health blog which features all the best weight loss tips that I have learned over my 20 years of training. My background includes a degree in Kinesiology from the world renown Simon Fraser University, certification in nutritional sciences from UBC, and Personal Trainer Specialist certification from Can Fit Pro.