Four clean eating tips to help you over those beginning hurdles to a healthier lifestyle.
If you’re making a lifestyle change to whole foods, overcoming the pitfalls of clean eating can seem impossible. If you’re making a lifestyle change to whole foods, it can be overwhelming to say the least. You have to rewire your daily habits, relearn how to shop and cook, and navigate our modern world filled with temptation.
You have to rewire your daily habits, relearn how to shop and cook, and navigate our modern world filled with temptation.
But if you are willing to commit, the benefits of a whole foods’ lifestyle are plentiful. To be clear, when I say ‘whole foods’ I mean food that is minimally processed and close to their natural form. With whole foods you get more nutrition, more fiber, more antioxidants, less hunger, and better digestive health (Ham 2023).
Here are four obstacles people incur on their journey with whole foods and how we can stay on course:
1. It’s overwhelming
If you are new to this journey, it can feel confusing if you’ve had little exposure to this type of lifestyle. Do you buy organic? Gluten free? Fat free? What’s up with polyphenols? There are so many misconceptions that have endured for generations that need to be unlearned.
Strategy 1:
Take it one day at a time. This is a learning process, but if you take a small step each day, think of the progress you could make in a month or a year.
- Don’t try to consume all the information in one sitting. Start with the basics, and move forward each week.
- Give yourself grace and flexibility; you are going to have days and situations when you eat some foods that don’t check all the boxes. It happens, just move forward.
2. It’s expensive
Health food is expensive food. Have you ever compared the price of organic fruits and vegetables to regular produce? “Ouch” is what your wallet would say if it could speak.
Strategy 2:
There are things you can do to lower that bill and still stay on course to a healthier you.
- Prioritize purchasing organic when there is a bigger health return such as buying organic berries instead of organic bananas and avocados. Produce with a removable skin may not be as impacted by pesticides as produce with a fleshy exterior.
- Prepping your own food instead of consuming prepackaged food can save you a lot of money. For example, I make four days of hearty salads with protein for under $20 on the weekend to consume at lunch during the week.
- Pay attention to what is in season and what is on sale. In season produce is more nutritious, and it can save you $$$.
3. It’s inconvenient
Those microwave meals, vending machine snacks, and cash register treats are all within easy reach. You’re a busy person; you don’t have time to pack a lunch. You are hungry now!
Strategy 3:
I know it takes a little preplanning, but you owe it to yourself to do better. Don’t sell yourself short; besides, the minutes you are saving with convenience could lose you years at the end of your life. Are you willing to make that trade?
- If you are a snacker, try packing healthy alternatives such as nuts, seeds, fruit, dark chocolate, or even a clean protein bar. Once your palate adjusts, you’d be surprised how satisfying those snacks can be.
- Take advantage of simple healthy meals that require little prep: crock pot meals can be set up in the morning, or purchasing a rotisserie chicken and bagged salad are much better than ordering take out.
4. It’s Antisocial
It’s Sandra’s birthday and they brought cake into the office! Wednesday donuts! Friday pizza! But wait…you can’t partake in any of those. You’re on a “diet.”
Strategy 4:
First, let’s strike that word, diet, from your vocabulary. If you are going to make a change, it is a lifestyle change. This is not a fad, but a reclaiming of your mental and physical health. You can do it, but you need to commit.
- Food has its place in celebrations, you just have to be mindful of which celebrations you choose to crown with cake and other goodies. Moderation is key, but make sure you live a little too!
- Choose an organic bakery for cleaner products, or make your sweet treats for holidays and celebrations at home so you can control the ingredients.
I know this shift seems daunting, but you are worth it. Take it one step and one day at a time, and before you know it you’ll be reaping the benefits.
To your health,
Eli
Reference:
Ham, Michael. 2023. “Processed vs. Whole Foods: The Science of Nutrition.” Global Wellness Institute. December 8, 2023. https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/global-wellness-institute-blog/2023/12/08/processed-vs-whole-foods-the-science-of-nutrition/