Starting an Eating Clean Routine

I needed to change some things up with my eating habits so I decided to motivate myself by starting a clean eating routine for the next 5 weeks.  I figured if I could get through 5 weeks of trial and errors I could figure out what things I like, try new foods, increase my energy level and most important get on a good healthy consistent food plan.

It’s definitely going to take work and allot of meal prepping, but I’m going to give it a shot.  I’ll be posting on my blog so I can keep myself accountable.  You may even want to join in with me.

Here is my 5 week clean eating calendar.  I am ready to go!

Basic Principles of Eating Clean

Eating clean involves choosing the right foods to eat but also avoiding all of the junk foods and processed foods that are so readily available. Here are some keys to good health and proper nutrition:

- Eat five or six small meals a day. By eating smaller meals throughout the day you can help rev up your metabolism and reduce the chance that you’ll eat some Funyuns rather than that whole grain cracker with nut butter and strawberries. You never get so hungry on this plan that you’ll feel deprived or feel the need to cheat.

- Cook your own meals. Instead of buying meals in a box, cook meals from scratch. That’s not as hard as it sounds! Clean, whole foods need little preparation beyond chopping and sautéing to make satisfying, delicious meals your family will love.

- Avoid processed foods: Processed foods are any food that has a label. A label means that more than one ingredient was used to make that food. You don’t have to eliminate all processed foods (like whole grain pasta or natural cheeses), but if you can’t pronounce an ingredient on a label, don’t put that food in your shopping basket.

- Eliminate refined sugar. Refined sugar provides nothing but calories. Other sweeteners can be used, but with all the good foods you add to your diet, refined sugar really has very little place in the eating clean plan.

- Eat whole foods: Whole foods are foods that haven’t been tampered with, in the lab or the manufacturing plant. The foods you eat on this plan are straight from the farm: whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, grass-fed and free-range meats, low fat dairy products, unsalted nuts, and seeds.

- Combine protein with carbs. When you do snack or eat a meal, make sure that meal is balanced. For the most satisfaction from your diet, and so you’ll be less tempted to eat junk food, combine protein with carbs or carbs and fat. This simple act will fuel your body and quash hunger pangs.

“Your life only gets better when you get better.”

Please note: I am not a dietitian or nutritionist. I have no idea if this eating plan is considered nutritionally safe for your personal nutritional needs. Please consult a qualified medical professional before starting this or any new eating or exercise routine.

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