Clean Eating

To start off you need to erase the word diet out of your mind! Clean eating is a lifestyle change and cutting out as much processed foods as possible...eating foods in there most natural state. Here are a few tips:

* Eat lean meats such as chicken, turkey, fish and bison.

* Eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

* Eat healthy fats such as Avocados,Olive Oil, coconut Oil, Sunflower Oil, Peanut Oil, Sesame Oil,  Olives, Nuts, , Soybean Oil, Corn Oil, Safflower Oil, seeds, soymilk and Nut Butters.

*Eat 5 – 6 times a day. Three meals and two to three small snacks. Include a lean protein, plenty of fresh fruit and veggies, and a complex carbohydrate with each meal. This ensures that you have enough energy to burn sufficient calories throughout the day.

* Drink lots of water throughout the day.

* Prepare yourself. I like to keep snacks in my car for those moments when you leave your house UNPREPARED. I keep stuff like apples, oranges and pumpkin seeds in my glove box. Plus, preparing your meals for the week ahead is a great way to stay on track! Pick a day (Like grocery shopping day) and cut up all your veggies and fruit and cook your meats. Have it all ready so all you have to do it grab it and go or heat and eat!

* Eat 5-6 small meals a day. I try to eat every 2 hours. Three meals and two to three small snacks. Include a lean protein, plenty of fresh fruit and veggies, and a carbohydrate with each meal. 

*  Stay away from white bread, pasta and sugar!  Generally if its white I stay away. Choose whole grains instead.

* NO Alcohol.

* It's ok to treat yourself every now and then...just not everyday!

* Control portions. I had a hard time with this in the beginning. I never knew what a portion REALLY was... it made a huge difference.

These are just some tips to help you get started. You'll find what works for you the more you do it. It took me some time to adjust and learn how to make the healthy choice. Eventually, you won't crave the old foods that you  used to eat. If I do crave something I know I shouldn't have, I try to find a healthy substitute. For example, if I want ice cream... I mix me up achocolate Shakeology with lots of ice so its thick and it really satisfies my craving.

**Here are few great clean eating websites**

The Gracious Pantry

100 Days of Real Food

Clean Eating Magazine

   

  

  

   

   

 

 

*5* BE PATIENT

Give yourself time to adjust. While eating clean can be a huge change for some people, keep in mind that most recipes can be adapted to a clean eating lifestyle. You don’t have to give up your favorites (unless your favorite is Twinkies. Anyone know what those things are really made of?) Obviously, you need to keep things in balance. If all you eat is clean eating donuts all week long, you’re not going to get healthy. But my point is that you should never feel deprived either.