More about eating clean

As per request i am going to dedicate this blog entry to eating clean! It's one of my favourite things to talk about maybe Tosca Reno should be paying me since i recommend her philosophies so much http://www.eatcleandiet.com/ . Ever since i started to get serious about working out i have tried to eat clean or organic whenever possible. But it wasn't until i discovered Tosca's first cook book "The Eat Clean Diet Cookbook" that i really started to research the whole concept more.

Tosca now has many books under belt including a book geared towards men and a recipe book with kid-friendly recipes.

In Tosca's words eating clean "is eating the way nature intended". Basically going back to how our grandparents ate. Eating local and eating food that is close to the earth as possible. Eating while it is enjoyable is to fuel your body to function the best it can. The cleaner you eat the better you look and feel. I can't even explain the difference of energy i have from eating clean. And not to toot my own horn, but i am, my body has never looked this great. (But remember eating clean goes hand in hand with working out as well).

People at work tease me for always eating and my scheduled snacks and lunch times. But that is how we should be eating. Everyone should be eating 5-6 times a day...3 meals and 3-4 smaller meals (snacks). That is healthiest for our bodies. This way your blood sugar is steady throughout the day meaning you will have less of a chance of getting diabetes. The numbers of people being diagnosed these days is crazy! And it's so easy to avoid. Eat clean and exercise and keep that belly fat down! I mean i do understand from the research that i have done on type 2 diabetes can be hereditary, but in my mind that should be even more incentive to eat clean and work out.

Eating clean doesn't have to be bland and boring. Use those spices and get Tosca's books for ideas! She has lot's of recipes. The majority don't even take that long to make. And really making meals and snacks is all about planning. No excuses! I hate excuses. They are lame (in my opinion). Jamie Eason (my favourite fitness model/writer/body building competitor) talks about excuses in March's issue of Oxygen magazine (yes it is my favourite fitness magazine). Go on pick up a copy! You will learn so much, i promise

Another principle of eating clean is to avoid packaged foods as much as you can! Packaged normally equals bad! It's almost always very processed food. Yes it may be "low in fat" but why put chemicals in your body? Your body doesn't need or want them. I know it's hard to avoid packaged foods though. So just avoid buying anything with more than 5 ingredients if you can. And AVOID ingredients that list words you don't even know what they are. Why would you eat something when you don't know what it is. Plus if it's chemical it's definatley not natural and close to the earth!

With eating clean try to aim for a carb and a protein at every meal to help keep you full and satisfied! Don't starve yourself that just slows down your metabolism. Eating clean and eating 5-6 times a day speeds it up and keeps that fire (your metabolism) burning and working all day long! What a plus. I know lot's of people who complain that their metabolism's are slow...again excuses! The best thing about eating clean is that if it comes from the earth you can eat it there are no food groups to avoid or limit!

Hit up your local market on Saturdays! It's FULL of fresh and whole food! And it actually saves you money!

When eating clean and working out it can be hard to find a protein powder that isn't processed. I avoided them for awhile until i discovered some more natural high protein sources such as hemp seed powder and Genuine Health's Proteins +. I use the protein plus to add a bit more protein to my diet and i have it right after a workout as my body needs and craves protein and carbs FAST after an intense workout. If i don't have a protein shake right after i work out i tend to crash and then you must remember to have a meal within an hr of your workout to fuel your body further!

Your clean eating grocery list: (This doesn't include everything, just gives you an idea)

Proteins:
Chicken
Tofu
Beans
Turkey Bacon
Pork Tenderloin
Tilapia
Salmon
Tuna

Healthy Fats:
Natural Peanut Butter
Almond butter
Olive Oil
Almonds
Avocado (make your own guacomole, YUM)
Flaxseed

Produce:
Vegetables
Spinach
Cucumber
Garlic
Tomato
Broccolli
Sweet Potatoes
Potatoes
Fruit
Fresh or frozen berries (Blackberries, Raspberries, Strawberries and Blueberries)
Apples
Bananas
Pears
Raisins

Breads:
Whole grain bread (ensure that it is whole wheat (grain) including the germ)
Whole grain wraps
Whole grain english muffins

Dairy:
Eggs, eggs and more eggs
Skim milk
Soy milk (plain and without added sugars)
Fat free/sugar free plain yoghurt (Add frozen berries and let melt)

Cereals:
Steel cut oats
Kashi Go Lean
Muesli

Dry Goods:
Brown rice
Quinoa
Sea salt
Spices(nutmeg, cinnamon, cumin)
Sugar substitute (stevia, agave nectar, Sucanat)
Whole wheat flour

Canned goods:
Chickpeas
Beans
Lentils
Tomatoes
Water packed tuna
Tomato paste

Condiments:
Salsa
Unsweetened apple sauce
Honey
Balsamic Vinegar
Rice Vinegar
Lemon Juice