The Real Reason You Should Eat Clean
By Genevieve Cunningham
If you’ve ever thought about losing a few pounds, you have probably come across the many diet options out there. Some of these diets seem relatively harmless. Things like Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers encourage you to count calories and eat mostly healthy foods. And then there are the crazier options. Diets such as the grapefruit diet or Atkins greatly restrict what you are allowed to eat. Will you lose weight? You probably will drop a few pounds with each of these, but keeping them off is another story. It might leave you wondering whether there’s another way. A healthier way. A more sustainable way. Enter clean eating.
Clean eating seems to be the hot new phrase in the health and fitness world. While it’s easy to brush it off as just another phase, this method of getting healthy might actually have some merit. Read on to find out why you should consider jumping on this bandwagon as soon as possible.
What is Clean Eating?
Clean eating is a lot easier than it sounds. While many modern enthusiasts have made it seem rather complicated, the original meaning of the word simply means to as many whole, natural foods as possible. Fresh fruits and veggies, animal protein sources, and whole grains are all encouraged. So, what is discouraged? Try to leave highly processed foods far behind. Chips, TV dinners, and even canned veggies are at least slightly frowned upon. Just remember, when it comes to clean eating, the fresher the better.
How Do I Get Started?
Start small. Seriously, this can’t be stressed enough. If you try to make a big change all at once, it makes it that much more difficult. Just start by exchanging canned veggies for fresh at dinner. Change out your Hot Pocket for lunch with a fresh salad. Once you master one change, then add another. Slow and steady wins the race, especially in the tough battle of weight loss and long-term health.
Why Should I Eat Clean?
Here’s the real deal … it’s not just another fad. Real clean eating is a lifestyle change, and once you embark upon it, you’ll feel better than ever. You’ll likely lose weight, your fat will diminish, and you’ll probably feel … clean. Eating fresh eliminates excess calories, toxins, and unnecessary ingredients from your diet, and as a result, your body thrives on quality food every day.
If you’d like to try clean eating, a quick internet search or a little help from a professional can go a long way. Just be sure that you don’t go too far down the rabbit hole. Keep it simple, and avoid anything that sounds too convoluted. Clean eating is simple, good on your body, and one of the best ways to stay healthy and strong for a lifetime.
