Clean Eating Basics

Clean eating consists of consuming food as close as possible to its natural state, according to Clean Eating Magazine. While many diets focus on what you cannot eat, cleaning eating focuses on the foods that you should eat on a daily basis. Understanding the basics of clean eating will help you make healthy decisions to provide essential nutrients to your body.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh produce is a staple in clean eating. Clean Eating Magazine recommends that you choose colorful fruits and vegetables for a healthy balance of nutrients. Buy organic produce or grow your own to avoid pesticides on the fruits and vegetables. Avoids fruits and vegetables that have added preservatives or sugar for the cleanest option.

Whole Grains

According to Mayo Clinic, eating whole grains adds to a balanced and clean diet. Whole grains have complex carbohydrates, which take longer to digest and keep insulin levels down. Choose 100 percent whole grain bread, pasta and cereal to obtain the most nutrients. Other sources of whole grains include brown rice and quinoa.

Lean Protein

Lean protein will help boost your metabolism by 30 percent, according to Clean Eating Magazine. Choose lean protein such as chicken, salmon, turkey and beans. Avoid saturated fat in protein sources such as fatty cuts of beef and whole milk dairy products. Diets high in saturated fat may contribute to heart disease.

Healthy Fats

Choose healthy fats such as those found in avocado, nuts and olive oil. The Harvard School of Public Health States that eating unhealthy fats can raise cholesterol. Avoid margarine, fried foods and processed foods such as frosting as all of these foods contain trans fat, which can cause diseases.

Water

Drink water instead of juice, alcohol and soda to maintain the clean eating lifestyle. Sugary drinks can cause sugar levels to rise and fall rapidly. Many of these drinks are highly processed and removed from the natural state.