What Does Eating Clean Mean

What Does Eating Clean Mean

You’ve heard the term a lot the last few years, and now it is time to learn what does eating clean mean. Clean eating has become one of the most popular methods of losing weight and getting healthy, but is just about eating organic foods? Do you actually clean your food differently? Maybe it’s about what foods you eat together? It’s truly not as complicated or difficult to manage as many may believe, and we have all the basics here to help you understand.

Eat organic, grass-fed, free-range and antibiotic-free as often as possible. The average person lives in a world where eating clean means they have to search for these items and probably pay a bit more. You won’t be able to have everything perfect, but you can make a decided effort to improve your health by limiting the bad options. Part of that comes with eating produce that is organic and meats that have been grass-fed, free-range and antibiotic-free. These things help eliminate the chemicals and toxins that are harmful to you and the environment from being so prevalent in your diet. Ask at your butcher counter, or look for packaging that shows these terms in relation to the meat you are purchasing.

Eat minimal processed foods. Processed foods are items like the mixes you buy for cakes, cookies, and brownies. Chips, snack foods, frozen meals and frozen pizzas are often major offenders on this list. It can also include things like canned soups, sauces and purchased pasta. While you may not be able to make everything from scratch, there are a multitude of items you can indeed make from scratch to avoid the processing. Processed foods often contain much more sugar, preservatives, chemicals, dyes and of course unhealthy fats.

Avoid refined sugars and grains. Instead of choosing white rice or traditional granulated sugar that has been refined (processed), choose unrefined items instead. Brown rice, quinoa, and dry beans are healthier starch choices. Instead of refined sugars, use things like honey, black strap molasses, maple syrup or coconut sugar.

Include the right mix at each meal. When people ask about what does eating clean mean, one thing that is often overlooked is that you should be including a good mix of foods at each meal to satisfy your body and its needs. Every meal should include lean protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates. You need the protein and fats to build strong bones, strong muscles, and to provide your body with strength and brain power. Complex carbohydrates give your body proper energy to fuel you throughout the day. Eating a good combination of foods can make a huge difference in how your body burns calories and keeps you feeling satisfied.

Maintain the integrity of what you cook. This term is popular as a description, but may be tough for some to understand. Basically, whatever cooking method you use should no destroy what your food is. Baking, broiling, grilling and pan searing are much healthier and better when eating clean in regards to how you cook. Mostly avoid overcooking vegetables (skip canned and use fresh or frozen), and of course avoid deep fat frying foods.

If you have asked your self what does eating clean mean, hopefully this information will set you on the right path. There are also many books available that can give you even more info. Eating clean can improve your health, help you lose weight and give you peace of mind about what foods you are putting into your body.

You may also want to check out my post on, 12 Ways to Eat Organic for Less.