What is clean eating all about??

Do you get confused when you hear someone talk about clean eating?  What does it mean and how do you do it?  Trust me, it doesn't have to be complicated or challenging!  It might take some practice and some fine-tuning but that's all part of creating a plan that works for YOU.  Remember that we're trying to make this a lifestyle change, NOT a quick fix!  So there will definitely be some trial and error and bumps along the way.  That's okay!  PROGRESS, not perfection.  :)

Here are some great tips.  I found these over at Eating Clean for Dummies.  And no, you're not a dummy!!  You're learning a new skill and I'm happy that you're here!!

The Basic Principles of Eating Clean

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/eating-clean-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html

Eating clean involves not only choosing the right foods to eat but also avoiding all of the junk foods and processed foods that are so readily available. The keys to good health and proper nutrition are in the following principles:

• Eat whole foods: Whole foods are foods that haven’t been tampered with, in the lab or the manufacturing plant. The foods you eat on this plan are straight from the farm: whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, grass-fed and free-range meats, low fat dairy products, unsalted nuts, and seeds.
• Avoid processed foods: Processed foods are any food that has a label. A label means that more than one ingredient was used to make that food. You don’t have to eliminate all processed foods (like whole grain pasta or natural cheeses), but if you can’t pronounce an ingredient on a label, don’t put that food in your shopping basket.
• Eliminate refined sugar. Refined sugar provides nothing but calories. Other sweeteners can be used, but with all the good foods you add to your diet, refined sugar really has very little place in the eating clean plan.
• Eat five or six small meals a day. By eating smaller meals throughout the day you can help rev up your metabolism and reduce the chance that you’ll eat some Funyuns rather than that whole grain cracker with nut butter and strawberries. You never get so hungry on this plan that you’ll feel deprived or feel the need to cheat.
• Cook your own meals. Instead of buying meals in a box, cook meals from scratch. That’s not as hard as it sounds! Clean, whole foods need little preparation beyond chopping and sautéing to make satisfying, delicious meals your family will love.
• Combine protein with carbs. When you do snack or eat a meal, make sure that meal is balanced. For the most satisfaction from your diet, and so you’ll be less tempted to eat junk food, combine protein with carbs or carbs and fat. This simple act will fuel your body and quash hunger pangs.
  
  
  So what does all of this look like in real life?  It will be different for everyone because what I like might not be what you like.  Ya know?  But the above guidelines are ones that I do follow most of the time.  I'm not perfect either!  I still splurge once in a while and I think that's all part of the bigger picture.  It makes me human!
  
  
  I think the biggest tip I can share is that you really need to PLAN ahead.  This means making the time to get your grocery shopping in and then prepping some food in advance.  When you come home from school, work, errands, running around with the kids, etc., the last thing you want to do is open up the fridge and have nothing that is quick and easy to grab.  That's when the temptation to grab your kid's pizza, crackers, or granola bar is just too easy.  So, plan ahead and prep some food in advance.  
  
  
  Some of the things I almost always have ready to go include:
  • hard boiled eggs
  • grilled or baked chicken (great as leftovers, sliced over a salad, or thrown together with beans and salsa)
  • roasted veggies
  • salad greens washed and dried
  • apples that can be sliced and eaten with 10-12 almonds
  • baby carrots and hummus
  • ground turkey breast (also great with veggies and salsa or over spaghetti squash with either pesto or a red sauce)
  • berries during the summer!
  
  The next goal is to put all of these together to create a meal plan for you that works for YOU.  You don't have to watch the clock and eat at a certain time each day, but you do want to aim to eat smaller meals every 2.5 - 3 hours.  Your metabolism will be fired up and keep your blood sugar from slumping and spiking.
  
  Do you need help with creating a meal plan?  That's what I'm here to do!  Where do you struggle?  When do you fight temptations?  Do you get easily discouraged with ordering out?  It's all doable.  I'd love to help you!!