Fitness magazine defined it well when they said “clean eating is about eating whole foods, or real foods — those that are un- or minimally processed, refined, and handled, making them as close to their natural form as possible.”
I feel better when I eat unprocessed foods and ensure that I’m drinking a lot of water. I certainly don’t have clean eating mastered but work to include as much as I can in my meal planning and snacks. Disclaimer: I don’t claim to be an expert, but I do want to share a little about what I’ve learned. Here are some tips to help you begin your healthy eating journey.
When it comes to breakfast, I like to keep it simple. When it comes to clean eating, I typically have a bowl of quinoa sweetened with vanilla and pure maple syrup. I love to add walnuts, berries and a little bit of unsweetened almond milk. Another of my breakfast favorites is two eggs cooked in coconut oil. Onions, spinach and mushrooms are the perfect complement to top it off. If you are looking for more adventure, the nutrition experts at EatingWell recommend these clean-eating breakfast recipes.
If you’re like me, when I first started trying to eat better, I quickly realized that a mocha is one of my favorite indulgences–I really enjoy a coffee in the morning. I drink a half caff and use cacao powder to get the mocha taste. I like to add agave in the raw to sweeten my coffee. Coconut milk or almond milk are a nice healthy addition. While I use them in other dishes, I am still learning to like them in my coffee! If you aren’t familiar with cacao, this article outlines the difference between it and cocoa as well as health benefits of making the switch.
I love to have protein for my snacks throughout the day and usually keep them stocked at work. I’ll add berries to Greek yogurt and some raw honey if I need it a little on the sweet side. Two hard boiled eggs and tomatoes is another favorite. I also like to keep cottage cheese as a mid-afternoon snack, or a mix of unsalted nuts as a healthy alternative. When I need something super sweet, I’ll have a square of cacao.
Want to be the best version of yourself and take steps toward a healthier lifestyle? Join us for an upcoming Clean Eating class. Call 405.377.3333 with questions or register here. To find out about more courses like this sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. View all of our upcoming courses in our digital catalog.
Dana Wallace is the Executive Director of Communications and Marketing at Meridian.
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