Do you ever read the labels on the food you purchase when you’re grocery shopping? The answer to this question from most – and no we aren’t judging – is no. It is important to know what you’re putting in your body. If you can’t pronounce what’s in your food, you probably shouldn’t eat it. Follow Her Campus on our journey to clean eating! We’ll give you all the information you need; it will be impossible to fail. Say “Hello” to a fresh, healthy lifestyle!
What is Clean Eating?
In short, it means eating foods that come from their natural source. The best way to eat clean is to not eat any processed food, or at least try to eat limited amounts of it. That means tons of veggies, fruits and lean meats. When you’re eating clean, you want to spend time reading labels. If you can’t pronounce it, don’t buy it!
For example, disodium inosinate and ammonium chloride. These ingredients are used as additives to help preserve or enhance flavour. In our bodies though, they wreak total havoc! A great example of an additive is monosodium glutamate, or MSG for short. MSG is hiding in a lot of food you buy. Some names it goes by include: spice, yeast extract, whey protein and more. MSG is toxic and yet it’s found in so many items on the shelves that we choose from. It holds fat in our bodies and can even cause heart disease and obesity.
How can I eat clean?
Eating clean can be fun and can make you feel so much better. You may experience a few days of feeling lethargic, but that’s normal. Your body is just getting rid of the unhealthy stuff that is stored. After about 3 days, you will feel 100 times better. You will find that your mood swings aren’t just hormonal, but they were caused by the junk that is in the processed food. You’ll find that you’ll have a lot more energy too. If you’ve been having a hard time getting out of bed, it could very likely be due to your diet. You will be able to focus better and remember things more clearly. Overall, you will feel more positive, happy, and energetic.
To get you started:
1) Eat lots of plants. This is so important because you want to give your body all the nutrients it needs to function properly. Some of my favourite veggies to cook or snack on are: carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, cucumbers, spinach (amazing for salads, too), asparagus, peppers, etc. Eat foods that come from a bush, tree, vine, or plant. This will ensure you’re getting the good stuff right from nature.
2) Include meats. This is something to be super cautious about! We can be so guilty for grabbing those Oscar Meyer wieners or packaged lunchmeat. Beware! These are full of mysterious meat products and insane amounts of salt! Go for meat that’s whole and not processed in any way. Chicken breast and steak are both great choices. Pork can be good, but make sure the ingredients on the package do not have anything unpronounceable and anything other than water. Fish is great as well, but when we are eating clean, we should consider sustainability too. That means nothing farmed!
3) Enjoy your grains. If you are a carb lover, don’t worry! You can still enjoy your carbs (in moderation), just make sure they are whole and have not been stripped or broken down. That means no white bread or even wheat for that fact. White pasta isn’t the best idea either. Some great grains I’ve discovered are quinoa, bulgur, wild rice, almond flour, brown rice, barley, and oats.
4) Prepare ahead of time. This is another unbelievably important step. If you spend an hour in the kitchen on Sunday and prepare your batches of food, it will make your week easier! Make a batch of quinoa salad, cut up your fruits and veggies, cook up a week’s worth of chicken.
5) Drink more than 10 glasses of water a day! No soda, juice (unless you juiced it yourself), or anything else fake. If that seems daunting, add lemon and cucumber or some raspberries to your water. These add yummy natural flavours and look great too. Avoid those drops or powders at all costs!
What about alcohol?
Listen, girl, I love a glass of wine. It’s my favourite thing to do after a long day of school or work. That should be what alcohol is: a treat. Going out every weekend and getting wasted is pretty counter-productive. Enjoy a drink here and there, savour it.
Tips to remember:
– Read labels. I can’t stress this enough! It’s the most important lesson you’ll learn on your journey to eating clean.
– Eat fewer ingredients. Less is more ladies. Eat things with no more than 8-10 ingredients (and even that’s giving a little). Ensure it’s not mysterious. Feed your body well!
– Eat small meals. 5-6 meals is usually a safe bet. If you think it’s too much, remember that the portions for each meal are tiny. If that still freaks you out, prepare your 3 meals, cut them down a bit, and then add some snacks in between. This helps to keep your metabolism in check and always going.
Clean eating doesn’t have to be a chore. Take baby steps by eliminating things slowly. You don’t have to go through your cabinets and toss everything away in a frenzy. Do a lot of research and know your stuff. I could write you a book on what to do, but part of the fun is discovering the secrets to such a great lifestyle for yourself. It’s so amazing how great you feel about yourself just knowing you are feeding your body the best fuel you can give it! Why not try it for one week? It might not be easy, but it will be worth it!
Photo credits:
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