So what does it mean to eat clean? I went shopping last week and cleared my fridge and cupboards of processed, fattening and sweet foods. Eating clean is not a diet, but a healthy way of life. It's eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and lean protein. Depending on how drastic you want to get, you can see some pretty fast results eating this way. But that's what I love about it. You can get 'results' if you want, but that's not what it's all about. It's about having more energy and being as healthy as possible. The idea is not to starve ourselves, but to eat wholesome, quality foods that won't drain our energy from us.
For every meal I have a lean protein, and complex carbs from either vegetables, fruits, or whole grains. Here is an example meal plan for my day:
Breakfast: Oatmeal (Or Plain Shredded Wheat), Skim Milk (or Light Soy Milk), Flaxseed,Wheat Germ, Mixed Berries, 3 Egg Whites, Water
Snack (3 hrs later): Rice Cakes, 2 Tbsp Almond Butter, Water
Lunch: Grilled Chicken, Mixed Greens, Balsamic Vinegar, Lemon Juice, 1/2 Sweet Potato, water
Snack: Fat Free Cottage Cheese, Apple, Water
Dinner: Salmon, Brown Rice, Broccoli, Water
Snack: (Optional) Fruit
All these meal plans are in Tosca Reno's book, The Eat-Clean Diet. She explains thoroughly what it means to eat clean.
To be honest, it takes a little more preparation and packing than grabbing a granola bar on your way out the door. I have my little cooler, and everyday for work pack my lunch. But don't worry, you get used to it after a while. It's best to make things in bulk, especially left overs. For example, when I make grilled chicken, I grill up several at the same time so that I'm not constantly at the grill. I boil my eggs by the dozen and store them in my fridge. I make left over dinner dishes and eat them for lunch the next day. She has great recipes that combine rice, celery, black eyed peas, butternut squash, and other delicious veggies and whole grains. Yum.
Once you eat this way, those fried potato chips don't look as tempting because you're filling your body with good, wholesome food. So give it a whirl, and let me know how it feels :)
Really Laura I am amazed with your dedication!!! I don't think I could do it. I have decided to only open your new web site (which is fabulous, by the way) once a week or week and a half because I am not so dedicated with this stuff and then I get depressed thinking of all I should be doing to stay healthy. So, in the mean time I am going to keep some of the goodies I love in my cupboards and hope that someday I have the dedication you have (which is probably never going to happen!). At this point my favorite part of your site is the beauty stuff :) typical, huh!?!
ReplyDeleteWOW....your fridge looks AWESOME! No wonder you look AMAZING. Maybe I should try this....I was wondering where the wine is? I didn't see it. :)Red is good for you right? See you tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteOK you inspired me. I am going to do this. I love how you said this is not a diet, just a way of life. My kids will thank me some day. Love the pictures. i wish me pantry looked as clean and green as yours. thanks for the inspirations.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I like this post {but with a sigh, too}! I need to get my game on 'cause I'm sure this is what is holding me back from 'results'. I can do it!!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, do you have a button for your blog? I'd love to add it to my blog!
I could never eat that! I like food with creams and butter way to much. And each meal just doesn't sound like enough food. Do you feel like you get hungry all the time? What happened to the Laura I knew that used to eat ice cream with her hands? :)
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