Clean Eating Defined and Advice + Winter Clean Eating Tips

The concept of clean eating goes way back, at least 30 years, and began with bodybuilders, weight trainers and fitness enthusiasts, but there really was no “name” ascribed to this style of eating other than “fueling the body with the right foods.”  Over the past couple of years, however, this way of eating has not only been given a name, but has become very popular due to Tosca Reno, author of the The Eat-Clean Diet book series.  Although it’s referred to by some as a “diet,” clean eating is not actually a diet in the typical sense of the word, but what is it really?  

What is clean eating?

Basically, clean eating is eating the most nutritious, healthiest foods possible while minimizing or completely eliminating junk (processed) food from your diet.  Clean eating involves consuming food in it’s most natural form (think whole foods).  There are varying “degrees” of eating clean.  There are those who eat clean 100% of the time; those who have a “cheat” meal or a cheat weekend in which processed foods are on the menu; and those who are transitioning from eating processed foods to eating healthier, more nutritious foods.

Clean eating basics

If you want to clean up your diet and make healthier food choices, you can follow these few basic principles of clean eating:

• Avoid processed foods, especially foods containing white flour and sugar
• Avoid trans fat
• Avoid colas and juices and make water your drink of choice
• Eat mini-meals ((eating every 3 to 4 hours) and practice portion control)
• Consume fresh fruits and vegetables
• Eat lean cuts of meat
• Choose whole grains when it comes to bread and pasta

When talking about clean eating is, it’s important to talk about what clean eating is not:  clean eating is not a fad diet or a diet of any type really; it is a lifestyle.  Clean eating is much more than a great way to lose weight.  Avoiding processed foods and eating a clean diet can boost overall health, increase energy, boost your mood and you may even find your skin glowing.

You may find giving up processed foods a bit difficult at first, but don’t give up! 

Here are a few things you can start doing right now to get started:

1.  Replace the bread your were using with whole-grain bread.  At first I wasn’t careful about what brand I purchased, as long as it said “whole grain.”  But as I have learned, you have to be careful and read the ingredients list because some brands contain high fructose corn syrup. 

2.  Started drinking more ice water.

3.  Go to the store and stocked up on fresh fruits and veggies.  I also cut up veggies to have ready for a quick snack.

4.  Started baking by using 1/2 whole wheat flour instead of using white flour only.  I do still use some white flour because I think using only whole wheat flour for some baked goods would be a disaster. I'm gonna get better at this.

5.  Started cooking a lot from scratch.  Seth and I also have found it to be cheaper and a whole lot healthier to cook from scratch than to buy foods that, yes, it might be more convenient to use instead of cooking from scratch, but a lot more expensive than just making it myself. Yes, we have to grocery shopping EVERY week so we have fresh food options. 

FRESH EATING DURING THE WINTER, WHAT?!

It’s so easy to get off the clean eating track if you live in an area where you cannot get fresh produce year-round.  I actually avoid “fresh” tomatoes during the winter months because I can only get tomatoes from the supermarket and they’re just not fresh tasting at all.  I found that tomatoes from the market during the winter months remind me of what I imagine cardboard tastes like.  Seth discovered this the hard way :/

So how can you stick to eating clean during the winter?  Here are a few tips:

• Eat frozen fruits and vegetables.  Studies show frozen fruits and veggies provide the same nutritional benefits as fresh.  You can use them in the same way you use fresh, and frozen produce can be used for smoothies and juicing.  There are a variety of fruits and vegetables available in frozen form, so stock up as often as possible.
• Experience what is in season during the winter.  While I consider the best tasting vegetables to be those that are available during spring and summer, there are still many vegetables considered in season during the cold, winter months.  Molly Watson, the About.com Guide to Local Food, offers up a lengthy list of winter vegetables here:  Winter Vegetables.  Print it out and take it with you on your next shopping trip.
• Learn how to can and freeze during the summer.  Yes, this takes some planning and some work, but it’s nice to have your own canned fruits and vegetables to break open during the winter months.  Canning and/or freezing your own summer produce also gives you more control over what goes into them than if you buy from the store. Seriously! Next fall I'm so gonna start this!

Sources: http://cleaneatingclub.com/clean-eating-basics/what-is-clean-eating/