Clean eating is a way of eating that focuses on natural, mostly unprocessed foods with no sugar and reduced fats. In this case, we’re talking about a way of living that lends itself to improving one’s health and wellbeing. The focus with clean eating is on unprocessed natural foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, chicken and gains.

The food is cooked in natural juices or with small amounts of coconut oil for cooking or virgin olive oil for salads. There are several articles and contradictions about what oils to use. I would invite you to research this and find an oil that suits you.

Instead of eating pizza, pasta, bread and fried chicken, a clean diet consists of meals like steamed broccoli, grilled chicken, omelet’s, homemade chili, steak, baked potato and a side salad. In essence, it’s going back to how we used to eat. This is before we had fast food restaurants at every corner, bakeries and grocery stores packed with processed foods and meals ready to heat and serve.

The idea behind clean eating is to get back to consuming fresh, mainly unprocessed foods that contain their full nutritional value. As an added bonus they aren’t stuffed full of preservatives, additives and flavor enhancers. The main reason for choosing to stick to a clean diet is to eat healthier.

How “clean” you make your diet is up to you. Some proponents of this way of eating insist that you should only consume completely unprocessed foods. Others are comfortable enjoying things like butter, cheese, cured meats and cultivated vegetables like Sauerkraut. How far you take it is up to you. Even cleaning up your diet just a little by cutting out fast food burgers and creating freezer meals will help.

Fill up your plate with plenty of raw or cooked vegetables. Cook up some rice or bake a potato and round it all up with a little fruit and cheese for dessert. Find a couple of go-to meals you like and build your weekly meals around those dishes.

It’s hard to find healthy snacks that fit your clean diet while you’re out and about. Keep some fresh and dried fruit along with some seeds and nuts handy for emergency snacking.

When it comes to drinks, water and herbal teas are your best friend. Black coffee is another good choice. Just be careful about adding sweeteners and creamers.

It may take you a little while to get used to the “real” taste of food after eating foods that are laden with sugar, salt and flavour enhancers. Once your taste buds adjust, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how delicious real food is. And your body will thank you for the change to clean eating as well.

Clean Eating Guidelines

• Eat five smaller meals throughout the day. … 
• Drink approximately 2 liters of water a day … 
• Reduce or eliminate “diet food.” This means anything light, low-fat, or fat-free. … 
• Eat whole grains and stay away from the foods containing white flour. … 
• Eat legumes, nuts, and seeds. … 
• Use healthy fats. … 
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

Eating clean is a lifestyle choice, if you are finding it difficult to manage think about starting off by eating clean for 2 days a week. Once you feel the benefits they will inspire you to make more permanent changes.