Hi guys! How was your Super Bowl Sunday? Did you all have lots of fun? I’m happy for NY that the Giants won! I actually did watch most of the game…pretty crazy.
What was your favorite food you enjoyed? I have to say I enjoyed a healthified version of potato skins that I made. I made them with sweet potatoes, turkey bacon, olives and a bit of cheese. I’ll be posting the recipe because they really would be great for any time of day or any party.
Today it’s back to “eating clean” for me. That phrase is thrown around so much these days, I thought it would be fun to talk about what it actually means. First off, I have to say if you haven’t read Tosca Reno’s Eat Clean Diet, you absolutely should. It’s the last “diet” book you’ll ever need…mostly because it’s NOT a diet, it’s a lifestyle. It’s all about eating food, unprocessed, in healthy portions.
Eat clean is something I certainly do. I mostly eat veggies, complex carbs, lean proteins, healthy fats. I do sneak in some treats throughout the week, especially on the weekend. Even my treats are usually a healthy version.
But remember, we all have our struggles and no one is perfect. I debated posting this but I decided to since I think it’s good for people to see that we’re not perfect behind our blogs and computer screens.
Eating healthy is pretty easy for me, I have to admit. I LOVE healthy foods. Since New Years I decided to change up my eating a little bit, since I workout a good amount and wanted to try to lean out a bit. I’ve been trying to eat more protein, but honestly it’s hard. I’ve been trying to eat 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day, with a combination of complex carbs and proteins, but it’s not always easy. First of all, I’m SO busy during the day, so I can’t always stop and eat. Second of all, since I LOVE volume eating, it’s hasn’t been easy to just stop eating/make smaller portions. Which in turn has resulted in erratic eating on my part and some tighter jeans.
What’s my plan for moving forward? I went back and re-flipped through the Eat Clean diet. I’m going to give this small meal thing a try for 2 more weeks. If I’m still not liking how it’s going, I’m going back to my 3 meals a day with 2-3 snacks.
No matter what, the Eat Clean thing is non negotiable. I LOVE eating unprocessed foods and combining complex carbs & lean proteins. It’s just the meals and portion sizes that I’m changing up.
What do you think? Do you eat “clean”? If you’re already a healthy eater, do you ever try to switch things up?
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I follow a similar plan (called the Whole 30) when I want to slim down, but it eliminates grains and dairy. I felt so great on that plan! Getting back to it now.
Angie @ Angie Anew recently posted..Our Couple’s Staycation in Minneapolis
for me it’s all intuitive eating…and yet that’s precisely how I intuitively eat.
Miz recently posted..Today I am five.
I try to eat clean when I can, but not gonna lie, sometimes it’s easier on certain meals. I also like to snack (candy, etc) but I keep it in check, just small portions!
Heather Montgomery recently posted..Relay Packing List
I used to do the 6 small meals thing, but now have moved to the 3 larger meals with 1-2 snacks. It works better for me, personally. As you said though, definitely important to focus on eating wholesome, nutritious, and natural foods as much as possible!
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..Encourage, Equip, Challenge
I definitely try to eat clean most of the time–I generally follow about the 80-20 rule.
Theodora recently posted..Club Target
totally eat clean 95% of the time
intuitively too which happens to be clean
Tara Burner recently posted..Calorie Facts & How to easily cut 100 calories a day
I tend to prefer larger meals too, but I know the 5 small meals concept is the best for your metabolism. I have been following the 3 meals with 1 snack, which means I’ve been hungrier in the evenings than I should be. Good reminder so start planning a little better and get back on the 2 snack wagon.
Heather Blackmon @ Better With Veggies recently posted..Race Recap: Jed Smith 50K
I usually eat clean, but have slip-ups ocassionally. It’s funny how different your body feels when you change your eating just a little bit. I’m a total volume eater too.
Cheers to clean eating and adding a couple smaller snacks to my day instead of having just 3 big meals. 
STUFT Mama recently posted..Barely Hanging, a Green Smoothie and Weekend Lessons
the hardest thing for me to give up is that I love my flavored yogurt. love. That would be the hardest thing for me to give up.
Cat @Breakfast to Bed recently posted..Men Screaming Like Mickey Mouse over Bunny Rabbits.
I tend not to use the phrase “eating clean” for all the reasons you suggested above – that it’s tossed around a lot without a lot of real meaning put behind it. But if I think about it, that *is* how I eat. I crave wholesome, healthy and DELISH real foods. Oatmeal, giant salads with lots of yummies on top (today’s will include blackberries, almonds and goat cheese), etc. It *is* a lifestyle for me, not a diet – it’s a forever thing vs. dieting which I view as a moment-in-time thing. Like you said tho, I’m not perfect – I do indulge in “treats” that I healthify and/or plan for (like wine, for ex.). But that’s what I like about this lifestyle, it’s about moderation at the end of the day. Great post!
Jess recently posted..Sometimes, it’s needed.
You know I’m a fan of this approach. I think eating a wide variety of foods is the best for eating clean. I like to look at it as an adventure. Food should be fun. Chia seeds freaked me out to begin with, but now I’m a complete addict. I think finding what you like and trying to be adventuresome with that is the best approach to eating clean.
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) recently posted..Facts Friday…
I have ALL of Tosca’s books!! I *try* to eat clean as much as I can and really focus on using food as FUEL and not just eating because something tastes good.
Lindsay @ Lindsay’s List recently posted..champions: the breakfast of champions
Like this post, as it seems nearly every Monday I’m trying to restart my “clean eating” though you are correct, I didn’t really know what it was! I’m glad you clarified and I also think I need to read up a bit more on the subject in general!
Ericka @ The Sweet Life recently posted..A Weekend Of My Life
I’m a pretty clean eater myself and I enjoy all of the food that I eat. Sometimes I’ll play around with my macros, but usually I eat about 5-6 meals a day. Some meals/snacks are larger than others, but they are all well balanced. On the weekend I give myself some room to enjoy some treats (out of the norm foods). They are still pretty healthy, but I might have a drink when I normally wouldn’t or get an egg white wrap from Starbucks instead of my usual oats and egg whites at home. It’s nice that there are more healthy options out there nowadays. After so many years of living this way I don’t crave the processed stuff anymore. Sometimes I’m tempted to try something if my boyfriend is having it, but nothing makes me feel like I’m missing out.
Kim @ Imperfectly Perfect recently posted..I’m On Fire
I’m a pretty clean eater myself and I enjoy all of the food that I eat. Sometimes I’ll play around with my macros, but usually I eat about 5-6 meals a day. Some meals/snacks are larger than others, but they are all well balanced. On the weekend I give myself some room to enjoy some treats (out of the norm foods). They are still pretty healthy, but I might have a drink when I normally wouldn’t or get an egg white wrap from Starbucks instead of my usual oats and egg whites at home. It’s nice that there are more healthy options out there nowadays. After so many years of living this way I don’t crave the processed stuff anymore. Sometimes I’m tempted to try something if my boyfriend is having it. After a taste I usually find that I’m not missing out on anything great.
Kim @ Imperfectly Perfect recently posted..I’m On Fire
I love the Clean Eating Diet Stripped. Cooler 2 is a great way to drop those last 10 pounds without feeling hungry or deprived. Lots of great recipes in the book too!
Tamara recently posted..Monday Motivation: A guest post from ‘down under’
I definitely eat clean..very clean! And in no way is it bland at all!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss recently posted..One good reason (some) men shouldn’t be allowed in the kitchen & other weekend happenings.
This year I vowed to make “clean” eating a daily thing for me. So instead of creating big, lofty goals at the beginning of the year and forgetting about them a month later, I try to make good decisions on a daily basis – more fruits and veggies, protein with every meal, little to no refined stuff, 64 oz. of water, etc.
One of my friends is doing the same “Eating Clean” diet. I’m trying to do pretty much the same – but with no meat or dairy. I’m not perfect – for instance, I went and got fro-yo tonight. But I’m trying to limit those things in my life. My body has really responded well to it!
Callie @ The Wannabe Athlete recently posted..Introducing…Blogging 101
I know how much better I feel when I eat 5-6 smaller meals a day, but I struggle maintaining that! I’m going to try it again, actually, starting tomorrow with a BFL style of eating…it has worked in the past and I feel 100 times better when I do it! I just need to do it on a consistent basis. Honestly, it’s difficult eating that many times a day. It’s expensive and time consuming, but I am ready to make a serious effort!
Oh, and I didn’t start today because we got in late from being out of town last night and had NO groceries!
Maren recently posted..Life Happened
Absolutety, we can do diet no more by eating clean and become healthy and fit for good. I love healthy diet.
We tend to be conscious with our body figures that is why sometimes we forgot our healthy habits and pursue to the diet regimen which is sometimes not on the right track.
Health is wealth, and we need to discipline ourselves to control our cravings, eat the right kind of foods, maintain a clean diet and give worth to our body.
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