Recently, I have been hearing and reading of “Eating Clean”
from friends’ blog, facebook, twitter etc. and my skin care doctor also
reminded me to eat clean… that’s made me puzzle and wondering how “dirty” am I
eating?
Eating Clean For Dummies
Eating clean is simply the practice of
avoiding processed and refined foods and basing your diet on whole foods. But
there’s much more to this plan. You can structure your diet to get proper
nutrition, help manage diseases, avoid developing diseases in the first place,
lose weight, remove toxins, and just feel better.
The Basic Principles of Eating Clean
Eating clean involves not only choosing the
right foods to eat but also avoiding all of the junk foods and processed foods
that are so readily available. The keys to good health and proper nutrition are
in the following principles:
·
Eat whole foods: Whole foods are foods that haven’t been tampered with, in the lab or the
manufacturing plant. The foods you eat on this plan are straight from the farm:
whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, grass-fed and free-range meats, low
fat dairy products, unsalted nuts, and seeds.
·
Avoid processed foods: Processed foods are any food that has a label. A label means that more
than one ingredient was used to make that food. You don’t have to eliminate all
processed foods (like whole grain pasta or natural cheeses), but if you can’t
pronounce an ingredient on a label, don’t put that food in your shopping
basket.
·
Eliminate refined sugar. Refined sugar provides nothing but calories. Other sweeteners can be used,
but with all the good foods you add to your diet, refined sugar really has very
little place in the eating clean plan.
·
Eat five or six small meals a day. By eating smaller meals throughout the day you can help rev up your
metabolism and reduce the chance that you’ll eat some Funyuns rather than that
whole grain cracker with nut butter and strawberries. You never get so hungry
on this plan that you’ll feel deprived or feel the need to cheat.
·
Cook your own meals. Instead of buying meals in a box, cook meals from scratch. That’s not as
hard as it sounds! Clean, whole foods need little preparation beyond chopping
and sautéing to make satisfying, delicious meals your family will love.
·
Combine protein with carbs. When you do snack or eat a meal, make sure that meal is balanced. For the
most satisfaction from your diet, and so you’ll be less tempted to eat junk
food, combine protein with carbs or carbs and fat. This simple act will fuel
your body and quash hunger pangs.
How Whole Foods and Eating Clean Help You Stay Healthy
What you eat really does have an effect on
how you feel. Eating whole foods and avoiding junk food — a clean eating
lifestyle — can keep you healthy or help you regain your health if you haven't
been well. Follow these precepts and you will have a better chance at living an
active life:
·
It’s easier to maintain a healthy weight,
which reduces the risk of several diseases.
·
Eating a good variety of foods ensures you
get adequate amounts of most essential nutrients.
·
Relying on whole foods is the best way to
get a good combination of micronutrients.
·
Whole foods keep you satisfied longer so
you’re less tempted by junk foods.
·
Foods high in micronutrients can help
reduce cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar.
·
There are some nutrients we haven’t yet
identified that are present in whole foods but not in supplements.
·
Whole foods help keep your digestive system
regular.
·
Eating a healthy diet makes you stronger so
you can stay more active.
·
Avoiding artificial ingredients keeps your
cells strong so your body systems work efficiently.
·
If you feel good, you’re more likely to
take care of yourself in other ways.
Basically, drink more water; eat more fruits and vegetable;
less oil and salt. Personally, I feel that eating Clean is not enough; you will
need to move your butt too in order to have a healthy lifestyle, better body
and skin. For the past one week, I have been trying to eat clean and hitting on
the park for a short run or taking the stairs to give my heart a lift. Without junk food, it’s like my life is not
complete, no satisfactory. Not easy, mindset need to change too. Told my hus
this morning, he quickly took his mobile phone, setup reminder to check on me a
month later and says “I see how long you can least.” |||
