"Eating Clean"? Are You Sure?
- Juliette Ries
- Jan 8, 2018
- 3 min read
It seems like using that term is becoming really popular (with 35, 735, 000 plus posts on Instagram about it). I see people posting about how they have been eating clean to get in shape and then I read what they are eating and it by no means is CLEAN to me.
What is clean? Food in its clean state would be free of dirt including pesticides and have to have been grown organically to be free of chemicals and genetic modification. Clean eating would mean that the foods being consumed are closest to their whole natural state, unprocessed and unrefined. What I am seeing a lot though from people saying that they are eating clean is not that. I'm looking up #cleaneating on Instagram and I'm seeing all sorts of processed foods, including meat and dairy products which are some of the most processed foods out there. A chicken apple sausage? Sausage, just like hot dogs are not "eating clean". If you want to eat meat and want the "cleanest" meat to eat I would recommend that you purchase grass fed, organic and make sure it is not on a grain fed diet. The grains the livestock is fed here in America, and many other countries, includes corn and soy, as these are the cheapest, most grown crops and they are genetically modified so any animal that is fed a grain diet is eating genetically modified feed. This will end up in the animals blood system, in its organs, and even after slaughter will be in the meat that you consume. (If you would like me to do a post about Genetic Modification let me know).
True healthy eating vegans (because I know some vegans that eat a lot of garbage too!) are probably the closest people you'll find that actually eat clean. So don't be fooled. When someone is telling you they are eating clean, make sure they actually know what they are talking about. Or just ignore the whole terminology completely. I think its great when people make a decision like that to "eat clean" because maybe to them its as simple as eating some green beans, mash potatoes and chicken breast, instead of French fries, deep fried pickles and fried chicken. Everyone has a different idea of what clean eating means to them.
If you want to eat clean, don't be too hard on yourself. Its so hard to convert your whole diet over in just a day. Start making gradual changes. If you drink soda, might I suggest that be the first thing you cut out or cut back on. Such a waste of calories and nothing good comes from a soda! If you drink coffee with creamer, choose a creamer like almond milk or coconut milk, or even a milk based one that doesn't have 12 ingredients or artificial flavorings and colors. Baby steps. Eat your cake and be happy but eat lots whole foods, vegetables, fruits, herbs, seeds, nuts, things of that nature in all your meals.
Food for life, food for living!
If you are reading this and have any feedback or comments, or want to start a conversation I would love to hear from you. I feel so one-sided over here haha. I would love to interact about nutrition with people who are also passionate about it or have questions, I can help! Hope to hear from you!
Also don't forget if you want some great meal prep ideas for healthy meals that will make you feel good and help you lose weight then pick up my book on Blurb. Its available in all formats, paperback, ebook and pdf file (which I think you can print, which is great if you want to print the recipes out). Ok thank you, love you much!
Peace and Love to you in this new year!