advice for "eating clean"?

[twinmumsy]

I've read some of the responses to questions from those, like myself, who are trying to lose fat, and the suggestion that it is really critical to eat clean. I'm wondering if someone could define "eating clean" more specifically. Obviously that must mean avoiding cookies and other refined sugar, and obvious junk food such as potato chips. I'd be interested to hear what you successful ones diets' DO consist of if you're eating clean? What less damaging treats are there? A sample day's menu perhaps? Some simple eating ideas?

I really appreciate any advice. With ten pounds to lose that I've carried nearly three years, I am getting miserable. I have very little time to cook and prepare meals with my little one's and I have been turning to the sugar pick-me-ups too often. Please help.

Twinmumsy

 

[ducky]

RE: advice for clean eating

I have been working on *cleaning up* my diet. I think by clean we mean food that has been processed as little as possible. Here are some changes I have made:

I used to eat what I thought were healthy breakfast cereals, like cheerios and wheaties. Now I eat slow cook oats cooked in egg whites and water, spenda and cinnamon. Slow cook oats over instant oatmeal... less processing. I just mix it all up and cook in microwave, it takes about 3 minutes. I add cottage cheese and it is yummm comfort food to me.

For lunch I used to eat a lean lunchmeat sandwich. Now I try and avoid the bread. Bread is a carb trigger food for me. Now I eat things like a spinach salad with chicken breast, or a tuna and egg white patty with vegetables or something like that. My high carb foods now are yams and wild or brown rice instead of breads. On sunday I usually make a whole broiler pan of chicken breasts and yams to eat through the week. Got a great way to make the chicken too if you're interested.

For snacks I usually have a yogurt for the sweet with ground flax and or wheat germ for the carb. That might sound bad but I think it is really good and satisfying.

For dinner it is always a lean meat and several veggies. I love red sweet peppers, mushrooms and onions sauted in olive oil. Or here's a new one: a clove of garlic, a chunk of fresh ginger, and a pinch of sugar. I add that to olive oil and saute my veggies in that. I also love fake mash potatoes made with cauliflower. That's another thing I make up a lot of and store in serving sizes to eat through the week.

For a sweet pick me up I try and have fresh fruit always cut up and in the fridge. Keep peeled and sectioned oranges or grapefruit, cantaloupe, or any other fruit ready to go for those foraging for something sweet moments.

The food prep isn't that big of a deal, it doesn't take long especially if you have the meat already cooked. Good luck.

Pam

 

[shapeshifter]

RE: advice for clean eating

Pam--thanks for that really helpful advice.As you say, there really isn't that much to it, more of a shift in thinking and a matter of stocking up on the right foods. The lean chicken and veggies, and salads already forms the basis of most of my meals and I have a really good cookbook that focuses on lean and flavorful by using herbs and spices rather than fats and carbs for satisfying meals. Actually, inspired by your email I made a ginger chiken stir fry last night that was low cal and tasted great. I'm not so sure about the cauliflower mash potato mind you. I guess it's OK if you like cauliflower, eh? I am really going to try some of your snack ideas because what trips me up the most is getting hungry in the afternoon at work and heading down to starbucks for a latte and a scone or cookie. And then when I get home from work, before dinner, eating some kind of unhealthy snack then too.

Well, again thanks so much for taking the time to share. I'll report back soon.

Linda

 

[Lynnne]

RE: advice for clean eating

Ok what is the recipie that Pam is talking about? I'm always into getting new recipies!

 

[kathryn]

RE: advice for

You'd probably get more response to this question if you put it in the "Open Forum," since this forum is for video and DVD workout rotations. I would never have seen your question if I hadn't been poking around here out of curiosity.

 

[ppederzo]

RE: advice for

Pam what is you chicken and yam recipe?