Don’t think of clean eating as a 30 day program to check off your to-do list. We like to think of it as a series of small steps towards making informed and healthier food choices.
If you’re busy like us but want to eat clean, here are 3 simple ways to get started:
1. Eat more whole foods
Whole foods are foods that have been processed as little as possible, these include fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meat, whole grain, dried beans/ legumes, unflavoured nuts and full-fat dairy products. Processed and refined foods tend to be high in added salt, sugar and artificial additives. They generally have the nutrients and fibre stripped out during the refinement process, leaving you with empty calories that don’t contain the beneficial nutrients that your body needs.
Read more: 5 Processed foods you don’t need in your life.
2. Eat from all food groups
A clean eating lifestyle means having balanced meals which include carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats, as each is necessary for your body to function optimally. Healthy fats are unsaturated fats such as avocado, olive oil and nuts, while healthy carbohydrates are unrefined carbs in the form of whole grain, legumes, vegetables and fruit.
3. Use natural sweeteners
Though your sugary cravings may mellow when eating clean, you don’t have to give up your sweet tooth completely. Simply choose natural instead of artificial sweeteners – agave nectar, coconut palm sugar, raw honey, molasses, pure maple syrup and dried fruit – are all good options.
Getting started
Clean eating can’t be achieved overnight. Start with small steps and go easy on yourself. If you have your coffee with one teaspoon of sugar, reduce it by a quarter every few days. You’ll soon realise your tastebuds would have adjusted.
A Clean Slate
Hit reset with a 3 day detox. Giving your digestive system downtime to detoxify itself and your brain a chance to rewire your palette. From personal experience, we are more mindful of what and how we eat after a cleanse. After all, it took time and effort to clean house. Find out more about our 3 day cleanse.
HIC The Lighter Side 