Eating Clean

So by now you have probably heard me and a million other healthnuts say all the time that the key to our success is EATING CLEAN!  Well I'm sure your next question is, "What the heck is eating clean?" Does it mean like washing your foods?  Does it mean making sure you are clean when you eat your foods?  Well as usual, I got you covered!

Eating Clean in a nutshell is simply not eating processed foods.  Eating foods in it's most wholesome and natural form.  If it has a ton of ingredients and has to go through a factory to get to your table, then don't eat it.  Now there are a few exceptions we will discuss later.  To break it down for you, think about an apple.  When you look on the label for an apple the ingredient list will only say "apple".  Nothing is added to it.  That's what clean eating is all about.  Now not every single piece of food you put in your mouth will have just one ingredient, but that is the idea.  You can consume food with more than one ingredient as long as you can pronounce it and there isn't a laundry list of ingredients after it.  Also you want to watch out for all those nasty chemicals as well.  So for example, right now as I type this, I am eating some chips.  Arrggggg shock factor!  Yes I am addicted to chips and really try to wean myself off of those Lays Kettle Cooked Salt & Vinegar chips, but guys the struggle is real!  Anyway, I bought some today by a brand called Good Healthy Natural Foods and the ingredients are simply: potatoes, olive oil, and sea salt!  Not an ideal snack for on the regular, but way better than what Lays has to offer.

So why eat clean?  Believe it or not, our bodies are designed to recognize foods in their natural state...not chips.  When we put clean foods in our bodies, our bodies immediately recognize it and get rid of it, as it should.  When we put processed foods in our bodies, our bodies may get rid of some of it, but hold onto the rest to store as fat.

What are the benefits of eating clean? Why eat clean?  I have tried many diets and tricks to lose weight and none of them worked.  Counting calories surely gave me more anxiety than helping me.  I found that eating clean was the only thing that has worked to help me lose weight and to be able to keep it off.  Now I am not a 100% clean eater natzi, but I do try to keep it 90/10 clean.  The benefits I have seen and many others have experienced are listed below:
 1.  More energy
 2.  Clearer skin
 3.  Healthier teeth
 4.  Strong healthy hair and nails
 5.  Natural Detox
 6.  Lean physique
 7.  Increased metabolism
 8.  Good health
 9.  Regularity
10. Stable moods

What are the basics of eating clean?

eatcleandiet.com

That about sums up what eating clean is all about.  I recommend reading more information on it especially some of the books by the Eat Clean Queen, Tosca Reno!  I have read several of her books and some many times over, and have learned everything that I need to know about eating clean.  Her website and books offer a ton of information and tips on eating clean.

Tosca Reno

I don't know about you, but I want to be half this fabulous in my 40's and 50's.

Need a list of foods to eat? Check out this eat clean grocery list below:

I hope this helps you understand what clean eating is all about, and it's not about eating what you want while cleaning your house!  I will say again that I do not eat clean 100% of the time.  Shout out to all of you that can, but I will tend to go a bit cray cray if I tried that.  I have found a healthy balance for myself and my family in eating clean MOST of the time and enjoying indulges in moderation.  Try it out and see what works best for you!