Clean Eating is a rewarding lifestyle, reconnecting us to a natural, whole-food-based way of eating. Many people are drawn to this lifestyle for simple reasons: weight loss, inflammation, energy, or a desire to take better care of their bodies. And while it may seem daunting at first, there are a few habits that will get you off on the right foot and make this transition seamless.
Below are Six Clean Eating Habits to Adopt Today!
1. Eat Loads of Fruits & Veggies.
Clean Eating is a diet made up of real, whole foods that your body can recognize and use for fuel! This lifestyle is colorful, rich in variety, and sustainable. Get into the habit of filling your plate with colorful veggies, leafy greens, and a little bit of fruit. Here are a few recipes to get you started:
Cajun Chicken and Cauliflower Rice Skillet
Cashew Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry
2. Enjoy Good Fats
Fat is not the enemy! It’s important for your brain, hormones, and skin to get enough healthy fats. Great sources are avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, fatty fish, walnut or pecan butter, grass-fed meat, and eggs. Learn more about the truth about fat here.
3. Eat Complex Carbs
Not all carbs are created equal! Here’s a cheat sheet on good vs. bad carbs. While simple carbs like sugar, flour, baked goods, and pasta break down quickly and spike blood sugar levels, complex carbs act differently, releasing a slow stream of energy your body can use! Oats, beans, starchy tubers, and carrots are all excellent sources of complex carbs. Try these overnight oats 4 ways next.
4. Beat Your Sugar Cravings with Protein
Deprivation is never a solid strategy when it comes to cravings. If your body is craving sugar, that means its really asking for nourishment! Sugar is an incredibly gripping addiction, and to beat it, you need a plan and lots of protein! Protein can help curb sugar cravings and provide longer-lasting energy than any meal sourced from carbs. Nuts, seeds, beans, eggs, fatty fish, chicken, grass-fed beef and cage-free eggs are all excellent sources of protein.
5. Plan Your Prep Days
Prep days make or break your Clean Eating plan when life gets busy. Schedule a weekly prep session where you can make some meals ahead of time and pop them in the fridge or freezer. This recipe for sheet-pan chicken 4 ways is a great place to start. Make sure you boil some eggs to have easy protein-rich snacks for on the go and check out this article on 7 things you should know about Clean Eating Meal Prep.
6. Water Yourself Abundantly!
Our bodies are made up of mostly water, and without it, we might feel fatigued, experience brain fog, or crave sugar. If you have weight loss goals, it’s even more important to hydrate, as the body struggles to release fat when it’s storing toxins with no way to flush them out. Hydrating will allow your body to naturally detox while shedding unwanted weight. Start each morning off with at least 2 cups of purified water and sip it throughout the day. Here are 9 easy ways to make drinking more water a habit.