Sunday, November 3, 2013

How to Eat Clean - 20 Steps

1. Are whole foods good for you?



Yes. Whole foods are a big part of eating clean, because they haven't been tampered with in manufacturing plants or laboratories. These come straight from farms and orchards.





2. Should you eliminate all processed foods?



It is best to avoid processed foods as much as possible, but you don't have to eliminate ALL of them. For example, whole grain pasta and natural cheese are processed foods, but they are good for you. The rule is if you can't pronounce at least one ingredient on a label, don't put in your shopping cart.





3. Should you eliminate sugar?



No - this isn't entirely necessary. What you should eliminate is refined sugar, because it doesn't give you anything substantial other than calories.





4. Should you eat frequently?



Yes. You should eat five to six small meals everyday. These help you optimize your metabolic processes and reduce the tendency for craving unhealthy food.





5. Should you cook or buy meals?



Yes. You should cook your own meals. Don't buy meals that come in a box or a package. It's best to cook meals from scratch.





6. Should you avoid carbs or fats?



No! Whenever you eat a meal, be sure that it is well balanced. Combine carbs with protein and a little amount of fat. This gives your diet more satisfaction, fuels your body and reduces the temptation to eat junk food.





7. Should you count calories?



No! Measuring everything you eat is exhausting and rids you of the natural methods of eating. Basically, use your palm to quantify serving portions. We have different hand sizes, because we all have different needs in terms of the amount of macro and micronutrients to fuel our bodies throughout the day.





8. Are the benefits of eating clean good for you?



Yes. Eating clean makes maintaining a healthy weight easier, which in turn protects you from being at risk for many diseases.





9. Should you eat the same things over and over?



No. Having a variety of food items gives you the proper amounts of all essential nutrients, micronutrients, vitamins and minerals.





10. Are micronutrients important?



Yes. Micronutrients are substances in foods that help regulate blood sugar and reduce high cholesterol levels.





11. Is there one best way to get micronutrients?



No, but having a diet that relies hugely on whole foods is the best way to receive micronutrients for your body.





12. Is it hard to eat clean?



Yes, at first. The hardest part is the first stage of making the change. This begins with the decision to make better choices. First, you should take inventory of the foods in your pantry and fridge - keep all whole foods and ditch "white" foods, junk food, refined sugars and sweeteners.





13. Can you make food substitutions?



Yes. You can switch canola or olive oil for corn oil. Choose brown instead of white rice. Choose oat flour (great for baking and breading!) instead of white flour.





14. Can you eat beef?



Yes. Red meat is okay and actually good for you. Beef with low fat percentages - ground beef, lean cuts, sirloin - and other meats like ostrich, chicken, bison and fish are welcome for eating clean.





15. Should you eat fruits and vegetables?



Yes. You can eat as much fruits and vegetables as you want everyday.





16. Should you know how many servings of whole grains you eat?



Yes. Eat whole grains at least three times a day.





17. Can you eat dairy?



Yes. Yogurt is the best bet for dairy that you can have. Just make sure that the dairy you buy doesn't have antibiotics and hormones.





18. Should you limit your sodium intake?



Yes. This is pretty easy, since you're already avoiding canned and preserved foods. Still, you should mind your recommended sodium allowance for your age, sex and body weight.





19. Aside from food, should you exercise?



Yes. Physical activity should be done everyday to increase metabolism and make you feel better.





20. Should you enjoy eating clean?



Yes - definitely. Enjoy every meal. Take time to savor every bite of every dish, knowing that eating clean is satisfying as much as it is good for your health.






via Smart Health Shop Forum http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SmartHealthShopForum/~3/FckCBgR3WZk/14744-how-eat-clean-20-steps.html

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