The Basic Principles of Eating Clean

You are probably wondering what is up with this clean eating everyone is blogging, trending and tweeting about. Clean eating is like cleaning out your closet.  You are getting rid of the junk, the things that don’t make you feel and or look good. In with new out with the old as they say.  Clean eating is exactly the same except the closet is your body and in it you want to only put everything that will help if function at the highest level possible.

Principle #1: Whole Foods

Whole foods refers to foods that have come straight from the farm.  They have not been processed in a lab or manufacturing plant in any way shape or form. Whole foods typically around the perimeter of the grocery store and are anything from whole fruits, vegetables, grains, grass-fed and free range meats, low fat dairy products, unsalted nuts and seeds.

Principle #2: Limit Processed Foods

Processed foods are foods that contain a nutritional fact label. A food label indicates that a food product contains multiple ingredients.  In most cases if the ingredient list is a few items long and all of which you understand it is a safe option.  However in the case that you cannot pronounce what is in the product or do not understand a certain ingredient, opt for something else.

Principle #3: Remove the Refined Sugar

Refined sugar has no nutritional value at all except for ‘empty calories.’ Since it has no nutritional value to our bodies it really has no need to be in our grocery carts, homes or furthermore tummies!

Principle #4: Eat Small & Frequent Throughout the Day

Eating 5 to 6 small meals a day helps to increase your metabolic rate and reduce the likelihood of someone consuming foods that are not beneficial to our health. When we are eating whole foods often throughout the day our bodies are not deprived and we are less likely to stray and crave unhealthy carbohydrates such as refined sugars.

Principle #5: Cooking at Home

Everything starts at home. Cooking does not require much time or effort.  Contrary to popular belief it is also easier than you think. Eating clean requires little in terms of preparation. Chop, sauté, add some spice and voilà you have a delicious meal for you and your family to enjoy.

Principle #6: Mix and Match

Balance is key. Every time you eat a snack or meal you want to make sure you have a combination of protein, fats and complex carbohydrates.  Protein, fats and complex carbohydrates fill that nutritional void and make it less tempting to eat junk food.