Nutritious food is the key to good health. If you exercise but don’t fuel your body correctly, you’re not going to get the physical results you desire. No matter what diet you follow, knowing what is in your food and how it is processed is just as important as the food itself. If you eat whole, healthy and fresh foods, your body, skin and soul will radiate health and you will have more energy!
Take control over what you allow into your body by following these basic clean eating rules:
Eat plants. Eat food that comes straight from nature, as close as possible to the way nature made it. Eat mostly foods that come from a tree, bush, plant or vine, and you’ve pretty much got it covered. Try to stay away from food that has been altered in any way.
Choose meats straight from the farm (and organic if possible). Don’t buy pre-packaged meat products, because you never know what’s in them. When possible, buy whole meats and grind them yourself or ask the butcher to do it.
Enjoy grains. Eat grains that are still complete and haven’t been broken down into “glue”. Stick to brown rice, quinoa, and other whole grains.
Eat fewer ingredients. Try not to purchase foods that have more than 3-6 ingredients in the ingredient list. And be sure you recognize each and every ingredient. If it’s anything other than honest-to-goodness herbs and spices, avoid it! And remember, if you can’t pronounce it, it probably shouldn’t go into your body.
Don’t feel like you have to make all the changes at one time. Pick one area to try to improve for a week and then after it has become part of your healthy lifestyle, make another change. Eating healthy is a way of life, not a diet. So, give yourself some time and enjoy how great the whole foods taste when they are in their natural state.
This blog post was written by Kris Drake RN, CHPD, Freeman Health System Wellness Coordinator, in collaboration with Shelby Allen, RN, BSN, Freeman Prevention and Wellness Supervisor.