What is Clean Eating?
I don’t know about you but when I heard the term “Clean Eating” back about 2 ½ years ago, there were so many (and I mean so many questions and thoughts) that went through my head. My first thought was, what in the world is that? Then I thought, there is no way I can afford that let alone get my family on board with the thought of clean eating. Then I had the question, well how is that any different than preparing what I thought at the time were meals that were somewhat healthy.
Well,
this past summer I really took the opportunity to learn about it with a
Facebook Challenge group. It was only 7
days long, but I had my eyes opened up and realized a couple things:
1.
I
realized that wow, this isn’t as challenging to incorporate into our daily
lives as I thought it would be.
2.
I realized, just because it is Clean Eating
doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be organic (although there are some things
that you should try and buy organic when and if possible - check out the list of the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15
3.
I learned, it may not be as hard I originally
thought years back to change my family’s eating habits. In fact, I have control over what gets placed
on the dinner table and what goes in our cabinets and refrigerator so why can’t
it be done.
4. I actually called it "better for you eating" for a while, because the term Clean Eating always scared me. But now that I understand it, I am not afraid to call it what it is.
What Does Clean
Eating Mean?
So, what does Clean Eating mean,
you may be asking. The answer is pretty
short and simple. It means eating foods
that are not or at the least minimally processed and are “real” foods. There are no magic numbers that say you need
to eat this much protein or no carbs. It
is just being mindful of what you are putting in your bodies and the least
processed and the fewest ingredients the better.
Now you may be wondering well what
is considered Processed and what is Clean Eating? Processed foods are foods that have been
taken out of their original state and changed along the way. It also includes taking foods and adding
sugar or other ingredients to it to help preserve them. The key to take away is trying to avoid foods
that are “Ready-to-Heat” or “Grab-n-Go” (unless of course the Grab-N-Go are
fruits, veggies, nuts – anything that is a food in its natural state).
Benefits of Clean
Eating
There
are many numbers of benefits to clean eating.
You can find a ton if you do a quick Google search. However, here are just a few:
1.
You get to eat 5-6 small meals per day instead
of just 3 meals (start re-training your brain NOW!)
2.
Feeling fuller longer – since you more
frequently, and eating more fruits & veggies and drinking lots of water,
you will feel fuller longer as your body won’t be on a sugar high and low
constantly from the sugary sweets (yes soda isn’t clean).
3.
You will likely have more energy.
4.
You will likely feel less bloated and not have
that regret after eating a meal.
5.
Not to mention the long-term health benefits
associated with eating more fruits & veggies – chances of getting high-blood
pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease just to name a few could be
lessened.
What to Eat/What Not to Eat:
There
are many things to eat such as fruits, veggies, nuts, eggs, whole wheat breads
and pastas (yes no more white breads or pastas), brown rice, oatmeal,
unprocessed meats.
Things to stay away from, include but are not limited to white sugar, white flour, artificially enhanced foods or ingredients added in to food. Stay away from foods that are already prepared for you.
But keep in mind just
because you are eating healthier doesn’t mean you can pig out – you still have
to be conscious of your portion sizes.
How Can This Work for
You?
One big
trick is staying on the perimeter of the grocery store. You will usually find foods more in their
natural state there. But, when you do
venture to the inside aisles, just remember to check the labels and look for as
few ingredients possible as well as make sure you can pronounce the ingredients
on the list. Again, if you can’t afford
organic, just do the best you can with items that have as few ingredients as
you can find. That is a great start and
you have to start somewhere.
For
those that like to eat out, try and look over the menu of where you are going before
and get an idea of what they have to offer.
You might also be able to check out the nutritional information on their
websites to get a better understanding.
Stay away from fried foods as much or foods prepared in butter or with a
butter sauce. Try to stick with foods that
are grilled, broiled, sautéed or steamed.
Also, if something is being grilled or broiled ask if you can have the
food prepared with Olive Oil vs. other forms of oil or fat.
What this all means
to my family:
So you
may be asking yourself, ok so what does my family think of all this? Well, I can honestly say a week or so ago at
dinner, we sat down for dinner and my husband said “You know I can tell when I
am eating meals that are healthier/cleaner.
I don’t feel bloated and I don’t feel miserable after.” Keep in mind this is coming from the man that
used to sit down at the dinner table and ask “What’s the experiment tonight?” Now, I have gone to cooking clean meals about
5-6 nights per week and we usually have clean leftovers in the fridge to eat
the 7th night (or whenever it is just me and the kids for
dinner). I as well as my husband feel so
much better and we have gone from eating pasta multiple nights per week, to just
one night per week (maybe) and when I do make it is whole grain.
Remember, this is a lifestyle
change, not a quick fix.
For more information, keep your eyes peeled for monthly Clean Eating Challenge groups I will be doing about clean eating and how to incorporate it into your life. If you
have any further questions, feel free to ask me and I would be happy to help
answer any or help you get started on a better lifestyle change.
~Sarah Strubhar
No comments:
Post a Comment