Sometimes it seems like you need a secret decoder ring when you’re trying to read food labels. Their long lists of preservatives and artificial ingredients can leave you wondering if it’s more nutritious to eat the packaging. That’s why many women are adopting a new strategy for feeding themselves and their families. It’s called clean eating. If you’re interested, here’s how to get started.
Enjoy. The first step in clean eating involves overcoming the guilt of eating. It’s okay to butter your bread and put cream in your coffee. Really, it is. Food isn’t the enemy; rather it’s the choices we make and our overindulgence in it.
Adapt. Processed foods have lots of added sugar and salt, two ingredients that can seem addictive to our taste buds. So you’ll need to get used to the simpler taste of whole-grain cereals, brown rice, and natural soups and sauces. Your digestive system will also need time to adapt to the extra fiber. Be patient. Just like when you switched from whole milk to low fat, you eventually won’t be able to go back.
Take baby steps. Don’t overhaul your entire diet overnight. Instead choose one part to clean up each week or month. For instance, swap the corn oil in your cupboard for extra virgin olive oil. Or replace the farm-raised fish and industrial meat you usually buy with wild or free-range varieties.
Compare. When deciding between two similar packaged foods, always choose the one with fewer, more recognizable ingredients. The closer a product is to its natural state, the more healthful it is for you. Even if it’s more expensive, it’s a better buy because you’re getting more nutrients for your dollar.
Localize. The farther food travels to reach you, the less nutritious and more processed it usually is. It also has a bigger impact on the environment since it takes more natural resources to transport it. Shop local farmers’ markets.
Eat more at home. Most restaurant fare is heavily processed, salted, and sweetened. A Big Mac, for instance, contains over 70 ingredients (33 in the bun alone). Although it takes more time and effort, home cooking costs less and is more nutritious. Studies show it keeps you skinnier, too.
Arm yourself. Lots of manufacturers are re-spinning their products as “real” and “simple.” But just because a cookie has five ingredients doesn’t mean it’s good for you!
Note the effects. Clean eating may deliver more energy, better health, and even a smaller dress size, but its biggest benefit seems to be simple satisfaction.
Hey, is that homemade spaghetti sauce we smell cooking?
Decadent (yet smart!) desserts
