Written by Amie Valpone, Culinary Marketing Consultant, HHP, AADP Culinary Nutritionist, Publisher of Easy Eats, online gluten-free magazine and author of The Healthy Apple
I’m a Clean Eating kinda gal. I’m all about fresh produce, healthy fats and lean proteins. Living half my life unable to digest grains, gluten and dairy, I’ve learned how to make my meals tasty with the simple things in life. I’m talking about the simple sweetness from fresh herbs, ripe fruits, freshly squeezed juices and spices. It’s amazing how these ingredients can add pungent flavor to any dish and expand your taste buds beyond fake sweeteners and white sugar. Summer is the best time of the year to hit the markets and fire up the grill because with an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies at the farmer’s markets, there’s no excuse to not create your own tasty meals.
What’s a day of Clean Eating look like? It’s easier than you think. Try a bowl of whole grain oats with fresh berries, agave nectar, cinnamon and coconut oil for breakfast; a massaged kale salad with chia seeds, avocado, peanuts and sundried tomatoes for lunch; grilled eggplant, onion and zucchini kabobs with a pesto lime dressing for dinner; and a few bites of pure dark chocolate for dessert. It’s that simple.
The best part about Eating Clean is that it makes you feel good both inside and out. Steering clear of processed and packaged foods loaded with preservatives, sulfates and sodium can make you feel ‘lighter’, clear up your skin and give you an abundance of energy.
Eating Clean; what does it mean and why do I eat like this? Well, for one, I feel good about buying and eating these foods; I want the best of the best in my body. Why? Because I deserve it and so do you. Food is our fuel so we’ve gotta spend the extra penny to purchase the good stuff to keep our engines running strong for years to come. Clean Eating is about eating what makes you feel good and feeding your body what it wants. Feeling like a hearty lunch? Whip up a batch up grilled eggplant with hummus, red peppers and avocado atop a piece of whole grain toast. Craving a juicy burger? Why not bake a large Portobello mushroom with olive oil, fill it with arugula, ground cashews, spinach, salsa and tomatoes along with a side of brown rice. See how easy Clean Eating can be?
I was inspired to start eating Clean when I was faced with severe stomach problems and had to cut out all grains, dairy and gluten along with any products containing sulfates. I thought my life was over because food was my life. I tossed all my packed foods and put on my thinking cap. With a little creativity I realized that it only takes a few minutes to plan out a weekly menu, food shop and prepare meals in advance. All you need is a bit of creativity and imagination. Who would have ever thought I’d be enjoying a lunch of grilled leeks with avocado dressing or a snack of kale chips with homemade salsa and guacamole? Yes, it certainly takes some time to whip those taste buds into gear but believe me, I am living proof that Eating Clean can make you feel better both inside and out.
That’s why I created The Healthy Apple, my gluten-free and dairy-free blog to help people clean up their eating, feel better and teach them to not deprive themselves, but instead to enjoy wholesome, nutrient-dense foods. It’s not about dieting or calorie counting; it’s merely about eating pure, simple and clean But most of all, it’s about enjoying what you eat. Life’s too short to count every morsel of food, so why not feed yourself with what Mother Nature intended and start eating clean today?
How do you feel about and define Clean Eating?
