” We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are.”
The ultimate goal in life is to find happiness in what you do. Part of having a happy life is having a happy body. There are so many reasons why American’s have the highest obesity rate and this is quite obvious. We spend so much time figuring out what “pill” will make us our goal weight. We buy products that say “Diet”, “Non-Fat”, “Low-Fat”, “100-Calorie Snacks”, “Sugar-Free” and I can think of so many others. These products will keep you fat forever. This means MORE chemicals in your body. You will constantly be craving food because you are replacing your needs with fake sugar and fake everything. The body CRAVES nutrients. If you are craving candy and chocolate, maybe eat fruit to see if the craving goes away. I found this great chart that helps with understanding your cravings and the possible ways to control your hunger before resorting to easy-access-junk food.
So what exactly is “Eating Clean”?
Well there is no direct definition for it and it is not a diet. Eating clean is a lifestyle choice that means eliminating all processed foods and extra additives to your diet and eating whole, unrefined foods. It’s about being simple and staying away from things that have been altered.
Some Tips for Eating Clean:
- Eat lots of fruit and vegetables (things from nature)
- · Include “whole” Meats-meaning your meat should come from the butcher to be prepared on your own. That is the best bet for having the healthiest of meats since they are not processed from the butcher. (This one may be difficult for a lot of people including myself. At first just make small changes. You don’t need to be perfect but just that small change in buying organic grass-fed meat will do…I adore Trader Joes for most my groceries) Small change is still a change. My parents get ALL their meat from the butcher and couldn’t be happier.
- · If your time is limited during the week to prepare meat, choose one or two days to cook a lot of meat at the same time and save it in the fridge to make it easy to get to during the week.
- · Eat whole grains that haven’t been broken down. Stick to brown rice, whole wheat and other whole grain carbs. Learn to read food labels. Stick with the fewest ingredients.
- · Remember that this is about being simple. Don’t think too hard about it. You are allowed to use all the natural spices that you want like garlic powder, cinnamon, paprika, pepper, red crushed pepper, cayenne pepper, just stay away from pre-fixed sauces. Embrace Extra-virgin olive oil and absolutely stay away from anything with corn syrup in it.
- · When it comes to dairy, try to buy things like unsweetened almond, rice, coconut, hazelnut, hemp or soymilk. Stay away from cheese as much as possible. If you must, get something low fat and stay away from pre-grated cheese. The only cheese I am eating these days is goat cheese (if I must).
- · Avoid sodas and even juice if you can. Juice is a “process” unless you blend it yourself. Did you know than an apple has 4grams of dietary fiber but a cup of apple juice from the store has none? Remember that when you eat things completely whole, you are bound to get the most nutrients.
Remember that this is not a diet, but it takes getting used to. We are faced with so many challenges because food is everywhere and we have the ability to curb any craving with a swipe of our debit cards. Write down a grocery list before you go to the store. Make sure you plan your meals and try to stick to 5-6 meals a day. I have a hard time with this because I can’t control my portions. I’ve been trying hard all week to get better at this but I still have a hard time. I was just on vacation last week and kind of “let-go” and I’m paying for it now. Eating clean will improve your health in so many ways. Good luck everyone and remember to just keep it simple!
Reblogged this on Miss Solo Dolo and commented:
Great article on clean eating. Definitely a lifestyle change & not just a “diet.” I’ve made the switch and couldn’t be happier with my decision.
By: ...*just like a starr*... on September 25, 2012
at 7:19 am
If I were home in my own kitchen I would make an attempt to eat clean…er. I love my junk food sooooo much right now.
I do also realize it is no good for me. This is definitely great infomation. Thanks.
By: LizForADay on September 25, 2012
at 7:22 am
i know the feeling! it is sososososo hard to transition over especially since junk food has to taste soooo darn good! my current downfalls are strawberry ice cream and nutella! i haven’t had ice cream in a week but think about it everyday….
By: Tiare Vincent on September 26, 2012
at 7:57 am
I suck at Nutrition. A lot of runners sometimes feel we can eat anything because we’ll just end up burning whatever calories and fat we put in our bodies (including the 12 chocolate chip cookies I can down in the blink of an eye). I’m definitely favoriting this post and coming back to it again and again!
By: nerdinsneakers on September 25, 2012
at 7:28 am
trust me! i am the same way! I’m like “oh ill just do 2 hours of zumba so i can eat blah blah….” and then I’m shoving down so much that my workout start to mean nothing! i wrote this post mainly to help focus on eating better for myself also! haha
By: Tiare Vincent on September 26, 2012
at 7:56 am
Great article Tiare
Great reminder that it’s the simple clean foods that keep us healthy.
By: Daniel Lupastean on September 25, 2012
at 9:46 am
aww thank you dan i appreciate your comment!!! but yes eating clean is essential for staying healthy!
By: Tiare Vincent on September 26, 2012
at 7:53 am
Excellent write-up!
By: Joel Haas on September 25, 2012
at 10:39 am
thanks so much joel!
By: Tiare Vincent on September 26, 2012
at 7:53 am
So very true! It has also helped even out my emotions and mental state!
I have been gradually making changes to eat as clean as possible and I love it!
Great post Tiare
By: Project Blah Blah on September 25, 2012
at 6:16 pm
it truly does help with emotions! its nourishing your body which will help everything overall! thank you for visiting my blog and good luck with all your changes!!
By: Tiare Vincent on September 26, 2012
at 7:55 am
Thanks for the like! I love, love, love your blog! Any tips on getting a flat stomach!
By: aishaloveslife on September 27, 2012
at 11:39 am
i am so happy you like my blog thank you!!! for tips on getting a flat tummy, I’m adding a link to one of my previous blog entries:):
http://tiarefitness.com/2012/06/06/get-great-abs/
By: Tiare Vincent on September 30, 2012
at 10:34 pm
OOh love it thanks!! I am actually gonna start zumba tomorr and will try increasing my planks to 5mins!!
I’ll let you know how it goes
By: aishaloveslife on October 16, 2012
at 1:01 pm
how was zumba!!!?!!?!?
By: Tiare Vincent on October 18, 2012
at 2:37 pm
It is freakin amazing!!! I never thought I would do something like that as I thought I hated dancing. But apparently I don’t hate dancing!? So weird what you find out about yourself when you take your self out of your comfort zone! Do you do any cardio classes?
By: aishaloveslife on November 7, 2012
at 5:40 pm
haha im sooooo happy that you liked it!!!! i hate dancing too but there is a difference! i like choreographed dancing, but i can’t go just dance because id have no idea what to do! I’m glad you had a great time! other than barre and yoga, i don’t do many cardio classes but i do enjoy an occasional kickboxing class! as well as spinning class sometimes but i have to be in the right mood:)
By: Tiare Vincent on November 7, 2012
at 5:46 pm
its also not letting my comment on your site but i love TRX classes!
By: Tiare Vincent on November 7, 2012
at 5:48 pm
OMG there are TRX classes!!????? Holy crap I need to go to one! I was just using it on my own.
I am in Vancouver I don’t know if there are any here. I’ll look out for one!
By: aishaloveslife on November 7, 2012
at 5:51 pm
OMG I found some classes!! Thanks so much! I am def gonna try this out!!
By: aishaloveslife on November 7, 2012
at 5:55 pm
yay thats great!
By: Tiare Vincent on November 7, 2012
at 7:11 pm
simple ways to change; I like it! Thanks also for the like on my post “Calf Creek, Utah” (wondered how you happened on it – must have been the ‘calf’ based on your food blogs)!
By: Laurie Merritt Photography on September 30, 2012
at 10:44 am
awesome chart! I love that…never thought of cravings that way!
By: sti on October 1, 2012
at 2:09 pm
i know neither did i until i found that chart! really helps a lot!
By: Tiare Vincent on October 2, 2012
at 4:29 pm
I love the vacation “let-go.” It’s a cycle though. You eat super clean and then you gorge on onion rings. Then you repeat. I guess it keeps things interesting. If you’re interested, I put up a meal plan today at Judgment day. http://ourjudgmentday.com/2012/09/30/16-meals-to-make-you-human-again-a-meal-plan-for-life/
By: Hozz on October 1, 2012
at 7:47 pm
i really love all those meals! gave me great cooking inspiration for the week!
By: Tiare Vincent on October 2, 2012
at 4:29 pm
[...] up on eating clean from one of my other entries or go Paleo which helped my dad go from 207 pounds last Christmas to [...]
By: It takes 21 days to Develop a Habit. 21 days of Fitness. « tiarefitness on October 2, 2012
at 6:12 pm
Reblogged this on salvationhouse.
By: salvationhouse on October 3, 2012
at 1:52 am
Reblogged this on My Little Bexi and The Horrible Fox and commented:
There are some really great tips here, so I had to share it with you all and myself!
By: mylittlebexi on October 5, 2012
at 6:10 am
[...] How to Eat Clean. [...]
By: How to Eat Clean- Great Post | jbetspartanfit on October 22, 2012
at 5:52 am
[...] EAT CLEAN. An unhealthy diet—unhealthy LIFE. [...]
By: November Goals: How to be Mindful and Present « tiarefitness on November 1, 2012
at 4:52 pm
[...] CLEAN EATING!!! Stop emotional eating!!! [...]
By: Living the Life You were Born to Live « tiarefitness on November 26, 2012
at 12:13 am
[...] and take more pictures of meal ideas because I get a lot of emails from people about what to eat, how to eat clean, or how you can create something on-the-go and at the same time being somewhat healthy! My [...]
By: Breakfast, and Lunch Meal Ideas! | tiarefitness on January 28, 2013
at 5:10 pm