How do I start eating more clean?

sunflwr2 · March 2013

I want to create a more clean eating routine for my family. Particularly because I want my 18 month old daughter to develop healthy habits now. But dh and I are so far from it that I really don't know where to start. My first priority is shopping for healthier greener foods but I feel like every time i go to the store I don't know what to buy or I buy things that we end up throwing away. Can you offer some tips or perhaps a simple book that may help?

2-Step · March 2013

I love the Clean Eating magazine cookbook and also their website has great recipes. Clean eating is all about planning and prep because most of the foods are fresh and therefore you have to stick to your meal plans and use them. For me it also means shopping more often instead of buying for an entire week I buy for about 4 days of dinners so the veggies are fresh. I used to waste a LOT of food until I got the hang of it.

I suggest trying to make small changes such as eating clean 2-3 nights a week at first to get used to it. Meals typically take longer to prepare, but there are a lot of great crock pot options if you are short on time. Keep an easy option on hand every week in case you get in a rush - something like grilled chicken breast and salad that you can whip up quickly.

I have an awesome app called pepperplate. You can import recipes from most sites and then add them to your shopping list and to your calendar. It syncs from your computer to your phone so you can use the shopping checklist at the grocery store. I like it because I can sit down for 20 minutes a week and plan everything and know that my list is with me and if I forget what I'm making it's all on my phone or computer.

blushingbride_08 · March 2013

Start by eating one clean one meal per day. Do this consistently then do it for other meals. I'm not completely clean but I'm making progress. For me breakfast was the easiest meal to start with. Also this helps prevent you wasting food since you won't be overwhelmed with recipes for all the meals. Start out slow and steady.

Princess_Lily · March 2013

Find fruits & veggies that you know you will eat, and buy them

Try the basics first: bananas, apples, oranges/clementines, strawberries, etc Have you ever tried seaweed?

How about salads? Find a mix you'll like...spinach (bitter taste) arugula (pepper taste) romaine. Dressings...what kind? Creamy or oily?

spencerlynne · March 2013

Try to make fresh produce a diet staple along with lean meat. Once you finish off processed food in your pantry, don't replace it - it's easy to eat clean if you only have clean food in your house. There are a lot of great websites/blogs/recipes online for clean eating. It might help you get ideas!