Eating Clean

Spring is here, and wellness is in! As the weather gets warmer, it’s important to keep healthy and keep holistic living in mind. Even if you’re not trying to lose weight, eating clean can have many benefits. Healthy eating is about putting the very best fuel in your body. Here are some helpful benefits of healthy eating and tips to get you started.

Photo: Caroline Phelps

Why Should I Eat Clean?

• Losing weight isn’t the only reason to change up your diet and eat healthier. Processed foods have tons of added sugars and chemicals, which over time do not benefit your body. Processed foods increase your risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease. If you can’t pronounce the name of the ingredient in the food, avoid eating it! Try loading up on fresh produce instead of eating processed foods with unhealthy additives.

Photo: Lukas Kästner 

• Eating right can help you feel more relaxed and boost your mood. Healthy eating will make your body feel better, which in turn makes you happier. It has also been known to boost your energy. Did you know that eating dark chocolate has been known to reduce stress hormones? Here is a list of other mood boosting natural foods. 

How Do I Get Started?

• Changing up your diet for healthy eating is actually quite easy. Avoid shopping in the middle of the grocery store, meaning in the middle aisles. If you’re truly eating clean, everything you need in the grocery store will be on the perimeter walls. Your fresh produce, proteins and foods with little chemicals and preservatives are typically along the walls of the grocery store because they have lower shelf lives. The foods on the outside are typically much better for you, so start there.

Photo: Dean Hochman

• Pay attention to the different nutrients your body needs in a given day. Once you understand how your body reacts to certain foods, it will be easier to find the most nutritious ways to get them. The simple goal of increasing your daily fruit and vegetable intake is a great way to kick start your clean eating journey.

Tell us, have you tried to eat clean? How did it go?