What Exactly IS Clean Eating???

Since I have been blogging and posting on Social Media about our clean eating choices, I have had numerous people ask me, “What exactly IS clean eating?”  I am going to attempt to answer that and give some guidelines here.


There are probably lots of different definitions of clean eating if you search the web.  It means different things to different people.  In a nut shell, it means we stick to “whole” foods.  It would be easier to explain what this does NOT include:

Examples of Processed Foods

• Processed foods
• Refined sugars and flour
• Preservatives in foods  (if the expiration date is longer than ten days from the date you buy it, you probably shouldn’t eat it…)
• Added coloring (Sam’s sells fresh Salmon with “Color Added”…definitely not clean!)
• Foods high in saturated fat
• Sugary AND Diet drinks

• Un-refined whole grains
• LOTS of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Lean meats, such as chicken, pork, flat iron steak and fish
• Lots of water!!
• Cooking with healthy fats such as EVOO and safflower oil
• Consuming healthy fats, such as avacodos and nuts…in moderation

Clean eating is not a diet for us; it is a lifestyle.  You can still gain weight while eating this way, so proportions definitely matter.  Do we stick to this type of eating 24/7? No.  We eat out from time to time or eat a sweet for dessert. I still make the boys macaroni and cheese and chocolate cookies.  But I usually know what’s going into these things, which makes this mommy happy.  However, we are attempting to make it a lifestyle choice.  Some people are surprised that our boys will eat these kinds of food, but I have found that when we remove most of the things listed in the “Do Not Eat” category from our home, they are happy with what we offer them.  They gobble up salmon, wild rice, sweet potatoes and broccoli right along with the rest of us!

• Quinoa
• Brown or Wild Rice
• Whole Grain Breads (waffles, pancakes, are allowed…just read the label OR make them yourself)
• Oatmeal (not the instant kind)
• Sweet Potatoes
• Red Skin Potatoes
• Black Beans
• Pinto Beans
• Couscous
• Whole Grain Tortillas

Healthy Fats

Nuts (lightly salted or not at all)

Hummus

Goat Cheese

Feta Cheese 

Avacado

Pumpkin Seeds

Sunflower Seeds

Sesame Seeds

Flaxseed

Olives

Dairy

Cottage Cheese

Low Fat Greek Yogurt

Ricotta Cheese

Almond Milk

2% Milk

Fruits and vegetables are a free for all, for the most part.  I don’t think I need to list those.  If I eat the outside of a fruit or vegetable, I try to buy organic.  Although, it is a little difficult in a small town. I season with all kinds of seasonings but try to limit our salt intake.   

I hope this helps those of you who are working towards clean eating!  There are endless benefits if you do! It is 100% my belief that this is good for the bodies God has given us, which is a huge motivation for me!!! 

Here is another list that you might find helpful.  I bet you can find something on here you like.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Rachel