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The basis of clean eating is consuming primarily whole, unprocessed foods. The movement has evolved through the decades, and clean eating is now very individualistic – it means different things to different people. However, all followers of this approach agree that processed foods should be limited. Eating clean revolves around maintaining a balanced and personalized diet of fresh, unprocessed food, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats. For some, it also includes eggs, meat, fish and dairy. 

So what exactly is the point of eating clean? Besides the moral and mental boost the words evoke, many advocates cite clearer skin, weight loss, increased energy, stronger hair and nails, improved mental health, and better sleep. Rather than simply going on diets, these individuals often make sustainable lifestyle shifts when they choose to eat clean. 

Clean eating does not necessarily come with its own set of guidelines, but here are some tips to help you reduce your exposure to chemicals, hormones, and highly processed ingredients. 

The clean eating approach emphasizes quality over quantity – not all calories are created equal. When you stick to whole foods, you are much more likely to keep your caloric intake at an appropriate level for your body and maintain a healthy weight as a result. It is easy to eat your way through an entire bag of potato chips, but eating several apples in a row would actually be difficult. Funny how that works! 

Whole foods fill you up and fuel you, whereas empty calories – like those found in candy and chips – give you a quick boost of energy but often lead to a crash and hunger shortly after. Whole foods help regulate cholesterol levels and ward off cancer, dementia, and a plethora of other conditions. In addition, the high fiber content of fruits, vegetables, and grains keeps the digestive system in tip-top shape, which is essential for optimal health. 

Eating whole foods ensures you get adequate amounts of essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, magnesium and calcium. Whole foods boast incredible nutritional profiles, so it is best to eat a wide range to ensure any nutritional void is filled. 

Sure you can pop vitamins in a pill form all day, but nutrients are much more valuable – and sometimes more readily absorbed – when consumed through food as a whole package. Science is just beginning to discover the vast range of health- supportive compounds contained in whole foods, so if you look to supplements as your main nutrient source, you may miss out on more than you realize. 

Have you heard the saying ‘the way you do one thing is the way you do everything?’ If you take care of yourself by eating clean food you will find it easier to also engage in self-care such as exercise, meditation, massages and other techniques that help make your life rich and vibrant. When you feel great, you are able to move through your days with joy and ease, creating and nurturing supportive relationships and a career you love! 

Eating cleaner is a principle that everyone can employ in some sense. How you define it personally is up to you, and hiring a nutritionist for guidance is almost essential.