Eating Clean Rookie

apilant

In my effort to "clean up" my diet in hopes of one day actually seeing the abs I can feel forming under my belly....I need to hit up the grocery store after work. I've done really well at eating clean today (except for the iced coffee...somethings just can't be quit cold turkey), but I need some favorites/staples from those of you who follow this lifestyle. Help me with recipes or at least with starting my grocery list! Your responses are much appreciated in helping me finally shed these last few pounds/inches!

lisamarie2181

Stick to the perimeter of the grocery store, buy lots of fruits and veggies, leans proteins and whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, barley etc. going into the aisles is most likely gonna end you up buying processed food. I do use some canned tomatoes and sometimes veggies, also frozen just because sometimes the fresh produce is not good quality. Do you like to cook or have any foods that u don't like?

dcyr009

I eat the GOMBS diet by Dr. Furman.
G=Dark Greens
O=Onions
M=Mushrooms
B=Berries
S=Seeds - Like flax seed.

I also eat chicken breast, fish, and tomatoes.

DannyMussels

Some of the basics are sticking with the outside aisles in the grocery store,

and in general, items with one ingredient (milk, eggs, chicken, carrots etc) are the healthiest.

Pre-made anything is usually crummy for you.

The nicer a package/item looks usually the worse it is for you (higher calories)

Those are just easiest to remember.

They usually work.

mollyanne01

I use recipes off of www.thegraciouspantry.com frequently. Most have been very good and pretty easy! Good luck!

taylor5877

so do you want bodybuilding/body fat clean...or save the earth clean?

2 different threads (for the most part).

tigersword

What does clean eating have to do with abs? A calorie deficit gets you abs. Not a specific type of diet.

Also, "clean eating" is a useless, undefined term. No two people have the same definition as to what is clean or not. Just eat sensible food, and hit your nutrition goals. Stop worrying about labels and diets.

Linda_Darlene

Bit by bit I am just eliminating processed foods. I try to eat low fat proteins eat plenty of fruits and veggies. I am taking the attitude lately that if I cannot pronounce the ingredient, I am not going to eat it!

downinaggieland98

I found this list:

http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/stocking-a-clean-eating-pantry/

I pretty much follow this, but I have given up anything processed (except sprouted grain breads), and all artificial sweeteners. I recommend watching the ingredients for anything fat free. You'd be surprised at all the weird chemicals added to them! You may want to go with the regular version, or the reduced (not fat free) version...

Good luck! I hope you have great results like my husband and I have.

Ruthiexlch1997

If you have not wathced hungry girl it is a good show that helps you make really health low calorie dish, dessert, drinks.... I have tried several reciepes and go to the store for what she uses and then I get rid of the bad stuff in my cabinets

drmerc

make sure you get some of this

tigersword

Bit by bit I am just eliminating processed foods. I try to eat low fat proteins eat plenty of fruits and veggies. I am taking the attitude lately that if I cannot pronounce the ingredient, I am not going to eat it!

Can you pronounce allium cepa? How about brassica olerecea? Ipomea batatas? They are all vegetables. Going by whether you can pronounce something or not is silly, as everything has common names and scientific names, and scientific names tend to end up on labels.

AZKristi

I don't see any reason why iced coffee can't be part or a clean diet! I traded in my french vanilla coffemate for half and half at the beginning of the year and I consider my coffee clean!

Focus on lots of fresh produce and whole grains. Stock up on beans (either dry or low salt varieties), lean meats, canned tomatoes, etc.

Rather than just going to the store, I suggest planning a few clean meals and snacks that revolve around ingredients that are in season. Then, shop for the ingredients you'll need. This way you'll buy the right amount of stuff so your produce doesn't go bad before you get to it. When I go without a list, I end up getting lots of random delicious stuff but rarely get exactly what I need to make complete, balanced meals.

Here are a few delicious recipes that I consider clean:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pork-chops-alla-pizzaiola-recipe/index.html
I use Italian Seasoning mix in lieu of the Herbs de Provence because I already have it on hand and I use boneless pork chops.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/roman-style-chicken-recipe/index.html
I skip the prosciutto and capers and substitute Italian Seasoning for the fresh thyme and oregano because those aren't in my budget.

julieh391

Shop the perimeter of the store. Produce, meats, dairy, grains. Stay away from packaged junk. I make iced coffee with almond milk or skim milk and stevia. I don't see anything wrong with that.

Linda_Darlene

Bit by bit I am just eliminating processed foods. I try to eat low fat proteins eat plenty of fruits and veggies. I am taking the attitude lately that if I cannot pronounce the ingredient, I am not going to eat it!

Can you pronounce allium cepa? How about brassica olerecea? Ipomea batatas? They are all vegetables. Going by whether you can pronounce something or not is silly, as everything has common names and scientific names, and scientific names tend to end up on labels.

Oh Good Grief, I think you are reading a little to much into my words..Picky Much?

lizchristine

I think a good step to eating cleanr is to make sure you are cooking at home as opposed to eating out and relying on convenience foods. Try a new recipe. I also love my rice steamer -- it has a basket so you can cook rice, veggies, and shrimp all at once!

Glowbee

A lot of what people have mentioned here are great! Thanks for the Gracious Pantry blog!

Here is another: http://www.heandsheeatclean.com/ -Good for married couples that are committed to eating clean together.

I second the "shop the perimeter of the grocery store" idea. VERY important!

I'd like to add a few things, too:

-Chicken breast & Jenny-O ground turkey extra lean
-Quinoa is your best friend
-Ezekiel breads and english muffins (in the frozen section)
-Choose whole fruits and vegetables
-Low fat% dairy anything, but for milk I love cooking and eating with Silk Almond milk (no sugar)
-sweet potatoes
-avocados, yum!

I've been cooking for two this way for 10 weeks, along with 5 days of weight training and cardio, and I feel amazing.. I'm not hungry, and I'm always so pleased with my choices. I never have tummy troubles, and have good energy.

Best of luck! Hope some of this was helpful!

lisamarie2181

Bit by bit I am just eliminating processed foods. I try to eat low fat proteins eat plenty of fruits and veggies. I am taking the attitude lately that if I cannot pronounce the ingredient, I am not going to eat it!

Can you pronounce allium cepa? How about brassica olerecea? Ipomea batatas? They are all vegetables. Going by whether you can pronounce something or not is silly, as everything has common names and scientific names, and scientific names tend to end up on labels.

Oh Good Grief, I think you are reading a little to much into my words..Picky Much?

I knew exactly what you meant lol

tigersword

Shop the perimeter of the store. Produce, meats, dairy, grains. Stay away from packaged junk. I make iced coffee with almond milk or skim milk and stevia. I don't see anything wrong with that.

Almond milk and stevia are both heavily processed. I'd qualify those as "packaged junk."

apilant

Thank you so much for everyone's helpful input and ideas! My mom in law has lost 125+ lbs using Tosca Reno's Eat-clean diet (I thought I better specify that for tiger's comment;-)) I avoided the aisles at all costs while I was at the store and picked up some very yummy ingredients to make a few recipes for the gracious pantry site as suggested! Can't wait to start feeling (and looking) better with this new lifestyle!

lisamarie2181

Good luck and keep us updated on how its going!