WANT TO TRY CLEAN EATING

synnglemommm

I have been eating healthier and have made HUGE cuts in my diet since the end of February and have committed myself to trying to eat better and I also exercise 6-7 days a week at the gym doing strength training, cardio and functional exercises. I have lost 69.4 lbs so far since Feb 24th of this year and have made a huge progress that I have kept pics of over the past 7 months to show. I want to live healthier and be as fit as I can be for my age. I really LOVE going to the gym and am like a child's brain in a way am soaking up all kinds of information and seeing what I can use.

I've been reading up on "clean eating" and found that a lot of what I already do and use is considered "clean" because of the types of oils I use, my source of proteins, even down to using coconut flour and blue agave in recipes instead of sugar and white flour.

I don't know how "hard core" I want to do this just yet, but am looking for advice from those of you that are clean eaters and have succeeded. Like what foods do you typically use, is there a good place to get recipes, etc.

The only fat I use is occasional light mayo which is probably maybe once or twice a week, I use just a tad of the spray butter on my steamed veggies, only use EVOO or coconut oil, egg beaters/whites, almond milk, LOTS of fresh veggies and fruit (and try to buy organic where I can).

Thanks for any advice, suggestions, recipes.

mmapags

What is the exact definition of "clean eating" and why would fats be not clean?

darkangel45422

Well I'm not speaking for any particular plan, but the way I personally envisage clean eating means natural foods (meats, fish, fowl, eggs, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fruits, healthy oils, etc.) from the 'cleanest' possible sources - grass fed and finished meats, organic everything, no additives, antibiotics, chemicals, pesticides, unnatural feed fed to the animals, etc. That's obviously the hard core way of going about it.

Getting started I would look first for the cleanest possible sources of foods you eat the most - organic produce, organic, grass-fed and naturally raised meats, etc. It's a process so don't be frustrated if it takes a little time to find a supplier you're happy with; this is a lifestyle not a diet after all so it's better to make the best possible choice for you after doing your research.

PinkCoconut

My general rule-of-thumb for clean eating is that if it didn't have a mother or grow from the ground you don't want to eat very much of it. If it has a label ALWAYS READ IT and ask yourself if the ingredients had a mother or grew from the ground!

My transition into clean eating was VERY gradual and even today is still improving. Just start where you know and get educated along the way. A great resource to look into is eatcleandiet.com

You can always friend me here for ideas as well, I keep my diary open!

Daiako

Good for you OP! Making a switch to clean whole foods is a great choice for your health and wellbeing. Good luck and don't other people bring you down and change your mind. I've only been here a short time but already it seems there is a strange attitude of anti-clean, pro-processed/junky foods around here, where people are put down for making an informed shift in their diet to support their bodies.

I myself eat a lot of meat (not necessarily lean meat, as I prefer a high protein/high fat/low carb breakdown) and veggies. I find that opting for things as close to their natural state as possible (And wish as short an ingredient list as possible when needed) has made the greatest change in how I feel and look.

Again, good luck.