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Clean Eating 101

Posted by Skinnyjane.com on 18th Nov 2015

One of the biggest reasons that we gain weight is because of the amount of processed food in our diets. One of the best weight loss diets is clean eating, which is a system of eating that cuts out processed foods and focuses on freshly prepared whole foods. We've put together a simple list of guidelines to help you start eating right, eating clean, and lose weight quickly and easily.

  1. Eat six small meals a day.
    This will take a little adjustment at first, especially if your work schedule is demanding; however, eating smaller meals more often can increase weight loss. This is how your body is meant to eat, which means it will regulate and may even increase your metabolism.
  2. Eat breakfast everyday. 
    Try to eat within an hour of waking up. Most people skip breakfast, but this is the most important part of clean eating because breakfast jumpstarts your metabolism and preps your body for the day's activities. Even if it's a small protein shake, a little breakfast is better than nothing.
  3. Eat a combination of lean protein and complex carbs with each meal.
    Complex carbs are slow-digesting, which means they'll keep you fuller longer. Lean proteins will give you the energy you need to power through the day without excess fats, which get stored and can lead to weight gain.
  4. Eat healthy fats every day. 
    Including 1-2 servings of healthy fats daily can help boost weight loss because your body needs fat to function. We often think of fat as "bad," but including healthy fats like eggs or avocado will help fuel your body without causing weight gain.
  5. Drink 2-3 liters of water daily. 
    Drinking water will help detoxify your body and regulate digestion. So carry a water bottle with you!
  6. Pack your own snacks and lunch for work.
    Part of the reason we eat processed foods so often is because they are much more convenient than preparing our own food. However, in order to eat clean, meal prep is essential. Spending a few hours every Sunday preparing your lunches and snacks for the week will help decrease the probability of visiting the vending machine or going out for lunch.
  7. Adhere to portion sizes.
    Most people have no concept of portion sizes anymore because everything comes supersized, but it is important to read food labels and understand how much is in a serving. Counting calories is no use if your portion sizes aren't accurate, so read the labels and do your best to follow the recommended serving size.
  8. Avoid processed foods 
    We tend to rely on these when we get busy because they're readily available and cheap; however, breaking your dependence on these foods is critical for eating clean. Buying only whole foods at the grocery store and preparing your own meals can help with this because you're less likely to eat processed food if they aren't in your house. 

Checkout our website at skinnyjane.com for more information and other products to help you get started on the road to a healthier you. Thanks for reading!