I'm a researcher by heart. From the medications I have to take, to vacation destinations, healthy choices, everything. I will read everything I can before making a decision. It's just in my character to do so. So when I read Jillian Michaels Master Your Metabolism, and someone mentioned that her ideas were similar to "clean eating," my research began. I read everything I could. From books in the bookstore, articles online, even renting books from my library. You know what I found? Something not too many people will freely admit.......
Everyone's idea of clean eating is different.
Which only brought up more questions, with the primary one being, whose definition do I go with??
There are so many people willing to give their two cents about a subject, and I am extremely grateful for all the different options when trying to find the right one for me. That phrase right there, that was the key.....the right one for ME. Some people believe the Paleo diet is clean eating, others believe that high protein low carb diets are clean eating. Then there's the "don't eat wheat" clean eaters, the vegan clean eaters, the "only eat organic" clean eaters. There's a different version of clean eating for any which way you want to go. But if you're interested in clean eating, I'm sure this is the same thing you've found as well, right? And your biggest question is probably the same as what mine was. Whose definition do I go with? And what makes one better than another?
Here's what I came up with. The one that is right for you, is the one that works for you. That's it, it's truly that simple. The unfortunate thing for our crazy society, in which people desire a one size fits all fix for losing weight or eating healthier, is that we are all...GASP!!!...different. What that means is that everyone's body will respond differently to different diets or ways of eating. This shouldn't be shocking news to anyone, really. Each body is made to handle foods differently, just as much as each body is built differently, and can perform different exercises differently. So the fact that Annie does so well on the Paleo diet, but Kim doesn't understand why it's not working for her, it doesn't mean the Paleo diet doesn't work. It means that the Paleo diet isn't for everyone.
So I've resolved to stop calling the way I eat "clean." And only because even when I say "clean eating" to friends, I still have to explain just what I mean. So here's the deal....I'm a whole food eater. :) I strive to eat foods that are not processed, have an ingredients list with ingredients I can pronounce, fresh fruits and vegetables (and plenty of them!), and everything that I put on my plate for any meal, is made 100% by me, occasionally my husband, and only with fresh ingredients. I don't use fake sugar, and I only bake with organic white flour, because I have an intolerance to whole wheat products. If I want ice cream, I plan ahead and make it myself. Want a loaf of bread, I make it myself. Craving some sweet treats, I use applesauce or honey as sweeteners, and make it myself. You're probably wondering how I can consider ice cream, bread and baked goodies good for me. I don't, they are treats. But if I want them, I make them. This is the only way I can ensure that I have foods made from the best ingredients, and heaps healthier than the prepackaged, boxed or bagged junk on the shelves in the store.
I cannot tell you what will work for you. I can only share tips and tricks that work for me, giving you something else to try in your effort to find the right thing that works for YOU. What I CAN promise you, is that the information I share with you has come from plenty of trial and error. I love to tinker with recipes, and every time I share a recipe with you, you will find a list of whole ingredients. My recipes cut out all the bad for you, and allow you to try new things, with flavor, and still feel good about it in the end. Eating healthy doesn't have to taste gross, and it doesn't have to be boring.
Whole foods, whole health. It's that simple.
