There are many varieties of clean eating, but in general, it refers to consuming foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. This pushes us to cook from scratch so that our meals are as “clean” as possible.
Clean eating is primarily motivated by the health benefits of ingesting minimally processed, nutrient-dense foods that come directly from the land. The majority of Americans consume a diet high in extremely processed foods created with synthetic components and loaded with fat, sugar, sodium, chemicals, preservatives, food colors, and other additives that the human body does not know how to process. These extra items may be hazardous to your health and well-being as a whole.
Your body is nourished when you are clean eating meaning eating nutritious and healthful foods. Clean foods provide the body with abundant vitamins and minerals, high-quality protein, and healthy fats, which, among other benefits, improve heart and brain health, aid in weight control, strengthen the immune system, and increase energy. The flavor of foods in their natural state is greater.
What to eat when you’re clean eating?
Clean eating usually means consuming more of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains, unsweetened things and protein. The main idea behind clean eating is to choose foods that are as close as possible to how they were made in nature. So choose fresh, whole foods instead of those that come in boxes, bags, or other packages. Think about a whole turkey instead of frozen turkey meatballs or raw grapes instead of fruit juice-based gummy snacks. Bonus: If you stay away from highly processed foods like chips, cookies, and ready-to-eat meals, you won’t eat as many calories, sugar, salt, and saturated fat.
When refined carbs like white bread, pasta, and rice are made, they lose some of their nutrients. Trade them for bread, pasta, and brown or wild rice made from whole wheat. You could also choose oatmeal, popcorn, barley, bulgur, or other whole grains. This change could be very important: Studies have shown that eating a lot of whole grains can make you less likely to get heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or colon cancer.
Some people who eat clean say that all your food should be fresh. But some say that canned and frozen foods are the next best thing because they have the same amount of nutrients. Just check the label to make sure there isn’t too much sugar or salt. Also, eat whole fruits instead of fruit juices, which have more sugar and less fiber. Try to eat between five and nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day, depending on how many calories you need and how active you are.
Instead of sugary soft drinks and juices, drink water and herbal tea, which are both low in calories. Water can make you feel full and stop your hunger. It can also keep you from getting tired and give you more energy. Miss flavored drinks? Try putting a slice of lemon or lime or a sprig of mint in your water
