The Clean Eating term has created a lot of buzz recently. You may already be incorporating certain components of clean eating in your everyday life without even realizing you’re doing it. That’s actually good news!

What is Clean Eating?

Clean Eating is not a “diet” but a lifestyle choice to improve your overall health. Clean Eating focuses on eating whole, natural foods and avoiding processed foods that have artificial ingredients.

What are Processed Foods?

Processed foods generally include the addition of salt, sugar, fat, artificial coloring, additives and words that you can’t even pronounce on the label.

1. Start Reading Labels

Once you start reading labels you will be surprised to learn what is being added to your food. Even foods that you thought were healthy or good for you have hidden additives. For example, jarred tomato sauce can contain an excessive amount of sugar and sodium. Reading labels can help you make educated choices for healthier eating.

2. Learn to Cook Easy Healthy Meals

Cooking does not have to be hard or cumbersome. Cooking your food with natural, organic ingredients helps you control and limit the processed foods you may be consuming.

3. Drinks!

Be careful with what you are drinking. It all adds up! Avoid soda, sweetened fruit drinks, excessive alcohol, and those fancy coffee shop drinks as they are caloric and contain a lot of sugar. Even smoothies, which are supposed to be healthy, can have a lot of additional sugar. Opt for water instead. You can infuse the water with strawberries, blueberries, oranges, lemon, and/or cucumbers.

4. Meal Preparation

Meal preparation is another way to limit the amount of processed food you eat and will force you to focus on making better food choices. Since the food is already waiting for you, you do not have to reach for the cookies, chips or stop for fast food.

5. Choosing your Food Wisely

Choose higher quality poultry and meats that are certified organic, free-range, and grass-fed to make sure that they are free of hormones or antibiotics. Instead of red meat and pork, choose leaner proteins such as chicken, turkey, and fish. Fruits and vegetable should be organic and free of pesticides.

As you can see, Clean Eating is not a diet at all. It’s a healthy way of eating to improve your overall health in a sustainable manner. By eliminating processed foods and adding healthy food options, you will be on your way to optimal health to look good and feel good.