The term “eating clean” has become more popular but there is still a lot of confusion around it. What does it meant to “eat clean” anyways?  Michelle Dudash of Food Network has several suggestions for consumers on how to do this.

Eating clean means utilizing foods that sourced as close to their natural state as possible and are the least processed. This means choosing foods that do not contain:

  • Chemicals
  • Refined sugar or flour.
  • Artificial sweeteners or additives.
  • Preservatives

Dudash refers to these ingredients by the acronym C.R.A.P. Processing takes away the nutritional value of food which in turn does not provide the nutrition your body needs. However, she also points out that since most foods undergo some kind of processing, the main point is to question and understand where your food is coming from.

Consider the types of foods you are eating

Theses foods are required by your body for optimal performance.

Grains:  Choose whole grains that contain bran and germ as these have magnesium, zinc, fiber, and iron. Refined grains, in turn, can actually make you worse off by raising triglyceride levels in your bloodstream, which in turn contribute to heart disease.

Fats:  Avocados, nuts and seeds, and olives all have monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.  These are considered the “good fats” needed by your body. Avoid using partially hydrogenated oils which contain trans fats and put you at risk for heart disease.

Meat/Poultry:  Pick meats that are whole and unprocessed, as processed meats have more sodium, salt, and other additives.

Fruits:  The same goes for whole fruits, which have more nutritional value than processed fruits which also have added sugar.

Dairy:  Although whole-fat dairy products are considered “whole” it is still recommended to consume low-fat dairy because of the amount of saturated fat.

Vegetables:  No matter what, eat more veggies! Fresh vegetables and plain frozen veggies will have the most nutrients, as well as reduced-sodium canned vegetables.

Want to learn more about how to eat clean? You can read the full article here:  What Does “Clean Eating” Mean, Anyway?