How To Start Eating Clean And Avoid Processed Foods

Everyone who eats healthy and promotes it talks about limiting processed foods. It's easy to say but when you live a fast paced life it's hard and many people struggle with this. When you start anything new you should try and ease into it. If you try and go full force without giving yourself some wiggle room then I think you are setting yourself up for failure. I tell people this same thing if they want to eat vegetarian or vegan. If you do it slowly and make small changes over time you are far more likely to stick with it. Going all or nothing isn't the best option for success. If you want to limit processed food I think it's a great idea and you will no doubt feel and look better. Below are a few tips that will help you achieve your goals.

• Planning is very important to eating healthy.  If you are rushed and want something fast its much harder to eat clean.  That is why proper planning is important. If you can prepare a few things on your day off that will last through the week or at the least a few days that will help.  I always have salads in the fridge.  I eat a lot of salads that are full of nutritious ingredients and I always have things on hand that I can add to the salad for variety.  I sometimes add walnuts, pine nuts or dried apples or even fresh pomegranate.  I always add some citrus zest to boost the antioxidant value.

• 

  Yuka App

  I rarely go into grocery stores.  I pay $9.99 a month through Amazon to get unlimited deliveries from Whole Foods.  I order regularly and it comes right to my door!  This saves me a ton of time and allows me to buy fresh food often.  If there has ever been a problem with any item they have refunded it right away through the app.  Staying out of the store also reduces impulse buying of unhealthy food.  
• I recently started using the Yuka app and this app allows you to scan items and it will give you a
  healthy rating.  The thing I like most about this app is it gives you similar foods that might be healthier options.  This app will also scan and rate cosmetic items such as lotions, soaps and will also recommend better choices. 
• Reward yourself for doing good with non-food items.  Rewards such as pedicures, massages and things like that are much better than having cheat days. 
• 
  If you feel like splurging then make yourself something good but the healthy version.  I recently bought the cookbook called How Not To Die and in it he has super healthy desserts.  I like sweets once in a while and eating fudge brownies made with dates, walnuts, cocoa powder, almond butter
  and pecans is much better than the unhealthy traditional brownie. 
• Keep healthy snacks readily available.  I am always on the go  so having foods like fruit and nuts available is a must.  I eat every few hours so I always carry food with me in my bag.  In the car on my way to appointments I am usually snacking on raw cashews or apple slices. 

It might take a little more work but once you develop a routine it becomes easy and the payoff is huge.  You will have more energy, feel better, look better, and hopefully live longer. 

Here's to healthy eating!

Coach Cyndee