Why All The Hype On Clean Eating?
There has been a huge health movement on clean eating with various diets and lifestyles. There is more fake food on the market now than there has ever been in history. The truth is knowledge is always power.
My grandparents didn’t grow up in the fast food generation. My grandmother cooked food from her urban garden in Jamaica, Queens New York. She also lived until she was 101. She made the most amazing coconut cake from scratch. Most importantly she believed in preparing real food, and rarely ate out.
We are bombarded with more frozen, packaged, and devitalized foods now than ever.
Sodas have been approved by the FDA without even disclosing the full list of ingredients to customers. Preservatives, dyes, chemical flavors, and synthetic sweeteners are added to everything. At the same time our country is in a serious health crisis.
The medical and pharmaceutical industry is big business, and it seems as if diet is almost never the culprit for our ailments in the medical field. Most doctors do not study nutrition. We are so quick to look at genetic dispositions within our family, not even thinking twice that most families eat a similar diet. How many medical bills and health scares are enough before we wake up? Why are we trusting an industry which manipulates statistics and research in favor of making more money?
Clean eating isn't hype at all, but an investment in your health and your beauty.
Clean eating doesn't cost anymore than the accumulated amount of money spent on fast fashion, excessive skin/hair care, expensive makeup palettes, and hair extensions. I know because I used to buy all of these things. If you have access to a farmer's market (or local farmers) and purchase produce by the box, you will save so much money as well as have an abundance of real food stocked up. Shopping the bulk section in your grocery store will save you money too since you won't be paying for the packaging.
In an article on healing acne, I had a reader ask how long she would have to eat healthy for clear skin. My answer was that the healing journey becomes a lifestyle. A clear complexion is one of the major benefits.
Eating a whole foods nutritional diet doesn't have to be boring and tasteless. I would be insanely miserable if it did. The truth is that when you feel and see the results of eating clean, going back to processed foods isn't as appealing as it once may have been.
I have moments when I fully indulge though too, yet I don’t always feel my best afterwards.
For my brother-in-laws birthday lunch, I gladly indulged in pizza. I enjoy cupcakes or piece of cake on occasion despite having given up refined sugar years ago. I love samosas and sweet potato fries, so I get my fried fix as needed. The phrase “everything in moderation” keeps your sanity. It’s important to be honest with yourself during the process.
Here are 10 reasons I eat clean...
Unquestionably amazing blood work when tested
A clear complexion without hormonal breakouts
Thick healthy hair without excessive hair shedding
Vibrant energy
Mental clarity
No need to hide behind makeup anymore
It tastes good and is so colorful
Making a smoothie for breakfast is easier than pancakes
The excitement preparing new dishes
I feel incredible physically and emotionally
I love eating whole organic foods, and I love investing in my health for my future. I started becoming my own nutritionist and using CRON-O-Meter to help with this process a few years ago. If you're interested in seeing simple healthy organic recipes or even my favorite smoothies definitely check them out.
Never look to beauty products and supplements alone especially since eating a highly nutritional diet makes even more of a difference.
Image by Dawn Michelle