Clean eating has become a buzz word in recent years with many people advocating this approach to lose weight and feel altogether healthier. But if you’re new to this method it can be confusing to know where to begin.
One of the things that makes clean eating so popular is that it doesn’t focus on eating less food like many diets. Instead, clean eating focuses on eating food the way nature delivered it - this means avoiding processed options and making healthier choices in general.
With celebrity fans including Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba and Miranda Kerr, trying this lifestyle change and seeing if it works for you could yield many benefits. Clean eating has not only been linked to helping with weight loss but it can also promote better moods, glowing complexions and improved brain function.
When you first begin clean eating you may find that it takes longer to prepare and cook your meals. Don’t be put off – if you get organised and try meal planning you’ll soon find clean eating is just as easy as your old diet.
If you have decided to try clean eating it’s time to embrace eating lots of fruit, vegetables and whole grains. But this certainly doesn’t mean that your meals have to be bland or any less satisfying. Get creative trying new recipes, there’s plenty for you to attempt online with even a quick flick through Instagram yielding dozens of delicious looking dishes to inspire your new found creativity.
If you’re new to clean eating, follow these tips to help make the transition easier:
1. Clean eating does not mean that you need to restrict the amount of food you consume; you just need to make sure that you’re eating the right kids of food. Aim to consume three meals and a couple of snacks each day. Opt for lean protein with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and a complex carbohydrate to keep you energised.
2. You don’t need to cut out all fats when you’re eating clean, in fact some fats are good for you. Swap saturated fats, such as those found in butter and cheese, for healthy fats found in items like nuts, avocados and olive oil.
3. It’s best to cook as many of your meals from scratch as you can, using fresh ingredients. If this isn’t always possible, you can buy pre-made items. Check out the labels before adding to your basket - typically those with the fewest ingredients are best. Products that have human-made ingredients don’t fit in with the clean eating ethos so steer clear.
I’ve started this trend slowly. A couple months ago I read up on the harm caused by saturated fats and was very alarmed. Almost instantly I cut the amount of saturated fat in my diet by probably 90%. I felt so good about myself after doing so. I would really like to make other changes in my diet to make it “clean”.