At the age of 43 I'm more fit, stronger, healthier and happier than ever. So, it seems logical to me that the next step toward health and fitness is to examine a little more closely what I eat. It would stand to reason that feeling as good as I do I must be doing something right with how I eat, but there is always room for improvement and admittedly I'm a little curious about Clean Eating.
Inspired by my Beachbody coach and friend, Rhonda Layton, I will begin a 30-Day Clean Eating Challenge on May 1.
So what exactly is clean eating? I had a general idea but needed more information. As expected, googling "clean eating" gave me about 15,200,000 results. A few resources that I found to be interesting and helpful in getting started...
6 Tips for Getting Started Now
How to Convert Your Pantry to Clean Eating
Clean Eating - Starting Out - The Nice and Easy Approach
Clean Eating - Starting Out - The Dive Right In Approach
Clean Eating Magazine Meal Plans
After a lot of reading it seems the general consensus is there is no definitive definition of clean eating but there are very basic rules that people interpret to fit their life.
1. eat lots of plants
2. include meat (no prepackaged products)
3. eat grains that are still complete and haven’t been broken down
4. eat fewer ingredients (try to avoid foods that have more than 3-6 ingredients in the ingredient list)
5. no alcohol
Those are the basics. Now, it’s up to you to decide how you will apply these basics to your life and to your eating plan.
The Benefits of Clean Eating Include:
- fat loss
- weight loss
- increased energy
- clearer skin
- shinier hair
- better sleep
- increased mental well-being
Simple Guidelines for Success:
- Eating small frequent meals 5-6 times per day to level blood sugar and prevent hunger
- Include lean protein, complex carbohydrates and heart healthy fats in each meal choice
- Avoid ALL processed and/or refined foods (sugar, baked goods, candies, white flour, white rice, etc)
- Avoid saturated and trans fats
- Avoid sodas, high calorie juices and other drinks that give your body no nutritional value and lots of unnecessary (unwanted) calories
- Avoid high calorie, non nutritious foods (i.e. junk food)
- Drink at least 8 cups of water per day
Every Sunday I will share my weekly menu, recipes and thoughts on this "it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle" clean eating. Will I reap the benefits? Will I feel a difference?
I'm sure you will feel great! I have been being more conscious about my eating lately as I had gotten lazy. It takes an extra special effort and some planning to do it in my current environment. I wish you great luck with that. Maybe someday I will join you as I need something to make me look younger and if anything can help - I'm sure it is extremely good eating. The 40's are when age starts to show in the mirror (I'm 42). ;-)
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | April 28, 2011 at 05:35 AM
Thank you Margie! Ironically, the 40s are when I stopped avoiding the mirror LOL You should join me :)
See you on the 1st (and maybe the 5th too) for the blog hop!
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | April 28, 2011 at 05:42 AM
Hey Jill! We're on the same page ... I've just returned from a very enlightening trip to Arizona and I'm in the process of implementing a ton of changes around here - along the lines of your "clean diet" in addition to a lot of MOVING and a prescription that should make me feel like I did in my 30s. If you're looking for some good and ridiculously tasty recipes: http://www.canyonranch.com/community_connection/recipes/ in ten days I had one meal I didn't like - and it is hard to make a good risotto with full fat stuff, so I think I was hoping for the impossible!
All this to say, I'm in - already. :)
Posted by: Lee Currie | April 28, 2011 at 07:17 AM
kudos to you! i have been struggling with my energy and trying to stay consistent on all levels of life for quite some time!
i hope you succeed with your clean eating!!
Posted by: Jen | April 28, 2011 at 07:27 AM
I would love to join you Jill. My downfall is that my family is NOT interested in clean eating at all and I don't like the kitchen enough to make separate meals for myself and my family. But I will go so far as trying to be much more conscious of my choices in May. So count me in as one who is dipping her toes in the pool, but not ready to plunge in head first.
Posted by: Cheri | April 28, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Jill - the challenge link just takes me to Facebook. Where do I find the actual challenge?
Posted by: Cheri | April 28, 2011 at 08:34 AM
That's awesome Lee. Thanks for the link. I'm looking forward to hearing more. I'm think I might add a link up to my weekly post. So check back and keep me updated :)
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | April 28, 2011 at 05:52 PM
Great Cheri! I would love the company. Check back on Sun and link up :) Baby steps. The key is making eating well fit into your life. By mid-May you'll be ready to plunge.
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | April 28, 2011 at 05:52 PM
Hi Cheri
Yes. The link is to where my inspiration came from. Check back on Sun for details and a link up :)
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | April 28, 2011 at 07:11 PM