What does "Eating Clean" Actually Mean Anyways? How to Really Eat Clean to Stay Energetic, Fit and Healthy

There are a ton of buzz words in the Fitness and Wellness world these days and Clean Eating is definitely a Biggie!  A number of people have written to me lately on my Facebook Fitness page lately (Energetic, Fit and Healthy) to ask me what exactly it really means to 'Eat Clean' and which kinds of foods fit in with a clean eating plan or not?

So here is a Simple Explanation of "Clean Eating" to help you get a better grasp of it:

Clean Eating doesn't literally refer to cleanliness the way it would to washing your hands or taking a shower, what it simply means is eating foods in their most natural, unprocessed state.  Which means avoiding processed foods with tons of preservatives, lots of added sugars, and foods with a high level of bad fats (some saturated fats/all trans fats).  In addition, when Eating Clean, you will also want to avoid foods that have been stripped of their original nutritional value or that have been injected with hormones or chemicals!

What Eating Clean is NOT!

Which Foods to Avoid When Eating Clean:

• White Flour, White Bread
• Processed Cheese
• Diet Soda
• Artificially flavored juices and other foods

Which Foods to Look for when Eating Clean:

• Unrefined, whole-grains.
• A variety of fresh, local, organic fruits and vegetables.
• Free-range and grass-fed meats and dairy.
• More vegetable-centered meals than meat-centered each week.
• Plenty of water or other no-calorie drinks (NOT diet soda)
• Making healthy cooking choices, such as baking, steaming, and light sauteing whenever possible.
• Consume healthy fats from natural sources such as nuts, avocados, organic coconut oil, etc.

Simple Clean Eating Do's to Remember:

• DO choose foods in their most pure and natural state such as freshly picked berries or veggies straight from the garden.
• DO eat foods while they are IN Season; such as strawberries in the summer!
• DO aim for Color!  (vibrantly colored organic vegetables and fruits are an excellent source of phytochemicals to help fight inflammation and boost your immune system!)
• Shop Smart - plan your grocery list and meals ahead of time so that you can stick to healthy choices and have better options at home when you feel hungry!
• Enjoy with Moderation:  remember to allow yourself the occasional treat and don't restrict yourself to an extreme amount.  Being healthy requires a balance.  Try to aim for an 80/20 rule mindset:  eating Clean about 80% of the time (or slightly better) and then allowing the occasional treat 10-20% of the time so you don't feel as tempted to cheat and reach for the packaged, processed foods.

**Next, get more tips on Eating Clean and Staying Energetic, Fit and Healthy - follow me on my Facebook Fitness Fan page and on Instagram @Energeticfitandhealthy