Clean eating means eating whole and healthy foods – foods in its natural state, unprocessed, non-packaged (although there are some exceptions to this) not manufactured in a factory and REAL.

Clean eating is not forsaking foods thought of as dirty or unhygienic; as a matter of fact, if you end up eating a carrot or two with a minuscule amount of soil still clinging to it, that’s okay. Recently, I read Dr. Josh Axe’s book, Eat Dirt, and he states we  could use a little more dirt in our diet (from organic, farm fresh fruits and vegetables) to support the microbes in our gut for optimum health. Clean eating is also about cooking your food at home so that you have control over how your food is prepared and cooked.

Clean Eating is not just a diet; it’s more of a lifestyle. You may start out on a healthy diet, but after a short while, you’ll come to realize that eat clean is a sustainable lifestyle that will serve you and your body in the years to come.

The benefits of clean eating can be life-changing. Here’s just a few:

1. Weight loss – eating more fiber and less intestinal clogging white flour and sugar keeps your digestion running smoothly and translates into weight loss.
2. More energy – eating less processed food can streamline your digestive system dramatically, taking less of your energy to do the job.
3. Helps regulate your blood sugar – no more processed carbs like sweets and refined grains means no more blood sugar spikes!
4. Lowers your risk of heart disease – a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
5. Lowers your risk of cancer – a diet rich In fruits, vegetables and healthy fats like avocado oil and olive oils can boost your antioxidant and phytonutrient levels intake.
6. Improves mental health – eating clean increases vitamin B6, which is helpful in creating dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in feelings of pleasure.

Here are some tips on how to eat clean:

1. Eat 5-6 smaller meals a day – 3 square meals and a couple of snacks should do, for keeping your blood sugar stable throughout the day – no more sugar crashes at 3pm!
2. Limit processed foods as much as possible.
3. Chew your food – this little hint tip can make all the difference in the world if you experience gas and bloating after meals. Try chewing every bite 30 times; it does take some getting used to, but it exposes more of the surface area to the chemical enzymes in the mouth and the hydrochloric acid in the stomach so that your food is better broken down and absorbed. And after all that is the goal, isn’t it?
4. Consume healthy fats – substitute canola or soybean oil for healthier alternatives like avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil (not for cooking, though) and coconut oil.
5. Drink plenty of water – half your body weight in ounces is a good amount.
6. Read food labels and learn to recognize the chemical names for preservatives, color additives, toxic binders, stabilizers, emulsifiers and fat replacers.
7. Shop around the perimeter of your grocery store for healthier, less-processed food.
8. When cooking, try stir-frying or steaming foods to avoid over-cooking them.
9. Take your time to truly enjoy your meal, eat with intention and purpose, don’t multi-task. Food is best when savored.
10. Bump up your veggies – they are low in calories and high in nutrients, so you can eat lots of them without expanding your waistline.

Remember, you don’t have to do all of these steps all at once. Just try one or two at a time and see how it feels. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Here’s a question for you: What’s one thing you can do from this list that you can start doing to change your eating for the better? Leave your answer below, I’ll start the ball rolling.