If you are tired of fad and yo-yo diets it may be time to make the move to clean eating or a whole food diet. Here’s how to get started.
Eat Real Food
Even if you rarely eat out at fast food restaurants you may be eating a lot of prepackaged and premade, but not fresh, foods. Now is the time to return to a diet that is at least 90 percent low or no processed. This includes:
- Fresh or frozen fruit and veggies
- Beans and legumes
- Low-processed whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
- Fresh meat and fish—not breaded or with additives like most lunch meats
- Fresh deli items
- Minimal baked goods made from quality grains
- Raw or low-processed dairy
Stop Drinking Your Calories
Where a lot of us rack up empty calories and unnecessary sugar is in the beverages we drink. Start your day with at least 8 ounces of water and when you drink your morning coffee or tea keep the sugar to a minimum. Drink no more than one electrolyte beverage each day, unless you are in extreme weather. Skip soda, café coffee, and reduce alcohol consumption—especially high sugar mixed drinks.
Rethink Snacks
Snacks are another easy way to unnecessarily increase your caloric intake. Start bringing healthy snacks to work with you so that you are less tempted to head to the vending machine or reach for the donuts your coworker brought in. A few clean snacks for work include yogurt, cheese, nuts, trail mix, and a serving size of popcorn.
In most stores, clean foods will be found on the perimeter of the store or in the health food isles. Take things to the next level by eating mostly organic.
