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dieting weight loss

Clean Eating – A Delicious Way to Eat Healthy!

When someone tells you that they eat clean, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?  If you are like most people you are probably imagining a diet that is boring, loaded with carrots, celery sticks and dried out grilled chicken.  In truth, this diet certainly would be considered clean, but clean eating doesn’t have to be boring!

Although you will want to consume foods as close as possible to their natural state, these foods can and should be prepared in a way that is delicious.    Just yesterday I enjoyed some low fat French fries that I made of baked sweet potatoes drizzled in a smoked jalapeno cream.  I can ensure you that in no way did I feel deprived!  With a little practice just about anyone can learn to prepare wholesome foods in a way that is delicious.

If the idea of eating clean is new to you, there are a couple of things you will want to keep in mind.  First, you will want to have three meals each day as well as two or three snacks.  Eating frequently has been shown to increase your metabolism and even more importantly it can help keep your blood sugar levels stable.  This means you will be much less likely to overeat later on in the day.  Each meal should consist of complex carbohydrates as well as protein foods from lean sources.  You should also include at least six servings of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Although you will only be eating healthy foods, understanding portion size is key.  There is no need to count calories but portions should be approximately the size of your palm for protein and carbohydrates.  The approximate portion size for fruits and vegetables is what you could fit in two palms.

Steer clear of processed and refined foods as well as those that are high in saturated fats or those that contain trans fats.  Rather, focus on getting healthy Essential Fatty Acids in your diet.

With a little planning, a clean diet that is also delicious is possible!