Clean eating is one of the best things you can do for your body. You will feel better, look better, and lose weight. However, staying on a clean eating diet has its challenges, especially while eating out at restaurants, but it always best to put clean and nutritious food in our body. Just like your car, when you put in cheap gas and oil, it doesn’t run as well as it does when you put in premium.
A clean eating diet focuses on consuming whole foods that are minimally processed and as close to their natural form as possible. By eating this way, you can find a safe and effective way to lose weight, feel more energized, and be healthier. Here are some tips that can help you along the way.
Stay away from Added Sugar
Consuming too much added sugar can lead to many health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Instead of sugar, use natural flavoring to give your food and drinks some sweetness.
Stop Eating Diet Foods
Lots of people turn to diet foods when they are trying to lose weight. They go for diet soda and low-fat yogurts. These foods sound good for you, but really they are not. Low-fat yogurt has tons of sugar in it. When clean eating, you want to stick with whole foods with no added sugars like peanut butter and full-fat yogurts.
Eat your Greens
Just like Mom used to say, “eat your veggies.” This is still the same today, but there are better and more flavorful ways to make them. Leafy greens can be a great side to most any meals, and they are full of antioxidants which make your body happy.
Meal Prep
Planning ahead is the best way to stay clean. Prepping meals for the week ahead of schedule will guarantee that you eat clean.
Don’t Drink your Calories
Many drinks are full of sugar, and adding those into your diet without adding in the extra calories and sugar can lead to weight gain. One can (12oz) of soda contains 150 calories and 39g of sugar. This is not good for your health or your waistline.
Don’t Focus on Calories
The key to clean eating is to focus on ingredients and not on calories. Nuts and Avocados are high in calories but super good for you as they are packed with nutrients to keep you healthy, like fiber. Stop looking at calories and start looking at nutrients and ingredients.
Get that Protein
Protein is amazing for the body as it helps it heal and keeps you energized. It is also great for muscle building. Many food items are clean sources of protein like eggs, fish, nuts, beans, dairy, and poultry. These can be added to almost any meal.
Keep well Stocked
Ensure that your refrigerator and pantry are stocked with clean, healthy foods that will help you stay on task for a clean eating diet.
Don’t bring Junk Home
Indulging in something sweet or savory every now and then is ok but keeping things in the house as a box of cookies or a bag of potato chips only guarantees one thing. You Will Eat Them! The best way to avoid fattening treats is to make sure that you do not bring them into your home.
Drink Clean Coffee
Coffee drinks get a bad rap often, which is sad because coffee is a healthy drink by itself. The problem comes when you start adding in sweetened syrups and artificial sweeteners with whip cream on top. Hello hundreds of calories, yes hundreds! To keep your coffee healthy while still giving it flavor would be to go with unsweetened items like honey or agave nectar and some milk.
Remember that clean eating is not a diet but a healthy way to live. By following these tips, you can lose wieght and become healthier. Try incorporating these tips into your daily eating habits and see how much better you feel.
Amanda Jordan
Author/Weight Loss Coach
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