What is Clean Eating?

[musicpisces]

I've told a lot of people about clean eating, and I've had a lot of people ask me what it is.  Our family has been mostly clean eating for the past year or so (though we were basically eating this way anyway), and now we eat almost 100% clean.  I wanted to share what clean eating is all about, excerpted from Clean Eating magazine (this is in the beginning of every issue):

"The soul of clean eating is consuming food in its most natural state, or as close to it as possible.  It is not a diet; it's a lifestyle approach to food and its preparation, leading to an improved life- one meal at a time.

• Eat five to six times a day- three meals and two to three small snacks.  Include a lean protein, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and a complex carbohydrate with each meal.  This keeps the body energized and burning calories efficiently all day long.
• Drink at least two liters of water a day- (preferably from a reusable canteen, not plastic; we're friends of the environment here!).
• Get label savvy- Clean foods contain just one or two ingredients.  Any product with a long ingredient list is human-made and not considered clean.
• Avoid processed and refined foods such as white flour, sugar, bread and pasta.  Enjoy complex carbs such as whole grains instead.
• Know thy enemies.  Steer clear of anything high in saturated and trans fats, anything fried or anything high in sugar.
• Shop with a conscience.  Consume humanely raised and local meats.
• Consume healthy fats (essential fatty acids, or EFAs) every day.
• Learn about portion sizes and work toward eating within them.
• Reduce your carbon footprint.  Eat produce that is seasonal and local.  It is less taxing on your wallet and our environment.
• Drink water with a lemon wedge. A glass of red wine for a special occasion is OK but it should be a rare indulgence.  The health benefits of red wine are reversed after more than one glass a day.
• Slow down and savor.  Never rush through a meal.  Food tastes best when savored. Enjoy every bite.
• Take it to go.  Pack a cooler for work or outings so you always have clean eats on the go.
• Make it a family affair.  Food is a social glue that should be shared with loved ones.  Improve the quality of your family's life along with your own."

I hope this helps clarify.  Feel free to let me know if I can answer any questions. 

I subscribe to Clean Eating magazine, which is filled with clean recipes.  Oxygen magazine, from the same publisher, is mostly about exercise, but it strongly supports clean eating.  (I don't work for them, and I'm not selling anything, but they've changed my life.)

I have so far lost almost 30 lbs using clean eating and exercise.  I plan to eat this way for the rest of my life.  No one is perfect, and we all have some sugar here and there.  But eating this way most of the time can really change your life and your health for the better.

**Update (4/8/11) 58 lbs lost, thanks to eating clean and exercising!  I've never been happier with this style of eating, and I will be happy eating this way for the rest of my life!

**Update (8/3/11) 69 lbs lost after a long plateau (wasn't sticking to the eating so well, but I'm finally back on track after remodeling and moving), and I wanted to add some before and during photos.

**Update (1/20/12) 80 lbs lost after another long plateau (and the holidays!).  Pounds are melting off again, and I am getting VERY close to my high school weight!  Still a ways to go, but that's alright!

First one just after starting, about 15 lbs down

Me this morning, at 200 lbs (down from 269)

I still have a ways to go, but now that I'm back on track, the weight is melting off again!

**Update 6/2/12- I hit the 100 lbs lost mark a few days ago!  I'm thrilled!!  It's definitely got me motivated to keep going!!

**Update 8/4/12- I hit my initial goal weight this week of 160 (109 lbs lost)!  Woo hoo!!!

Here's a pic of me at about 156 (October 2012)

If you'd like to read more about my journey and what's working for me, you can click here for a more detailed account!

[MarGeee]

Dec. 2, 2010 at 11:34 PM

Awesome I'm gonna try this too and see how far I go with it.

[MarGeee]

Dec. 2, 2010 at 11:35 PM

I'm also going to incorporate wheatgrass juice into my diet

[sherribeare]

Feb. 3, 2011 at 10:04 PM

Thanks for posting this!

[maiahlynn]

Apr. 18, 2011 at 11:35 AM

so is there a wheat flour, whats a good sweetener to use, and wheat pasta is that ok ? eating so much through out the day will be hard for me I just don't always feel hungry I normally eat 1-2 daily.. also I have excised induced asthma so I can't run or do fast paced exercise so I need a recommendation that I can do without ending up in the hospital.. I need to lose 40 lbs & keep it off

[victoria.smith]

Jan. 5, 2012 at 1:37 PM

THAT AVICE MIGHT HELP THANK U FOR THE VICE:)

 

[Cherish1983]

Jan. 13, 2012 at 12:01 PM

Thank you so much for posting this I'm going to copy & paste the rules and live by them :)

[sweetp7500]

Jan. 20, 2012 at 10:03 AM

looking good, I going to tried this, its going to be hard since i am carb and sweets eater. I got to loose 200lbs to feel  good. 

[Hildegarde]

Jan. 24, 2012 at 6:39 AM I didn't know I was eating clean. But I guess I am. I call it the caveman diet. Although its not a diet, a lifestyle change. I am the healthiest I've been in years.

[MommaMonkey84]

Jan. 24, 2012 at 8:58 AM Wow you look amazing! I'm definately starting this asap! Thanks for sharing you really are an inspiration! :)

[MoonShadow3]

Jan. 24, 2012 at 9:55 AM

even tho you weigh 200, you dont look like it. you look toned and healthy. i'm amazed. I'm definatly going to try this :]