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What does clean food & clean eating mean? How can it be easily done in Jakarta, despite our busy schedule?
We have heard it so many times—eating clean and clean food. But what exactly does it mean? Does it mean that as long as fruit and vegetables are washed clean, then I am eating clean?
The easiest definition for clean eating is about making food choices that promote optimum long-term health for your body. Eating clean food is also quite flexible, and hence it should be approached as a lifestyle and not as a nutrition diet. At its very basic, it is about eating whole foods that are unprocessed and as close to their natural as possible.
5 Ways to Eat Clean
Eating clean is very simple and easy to do, even if you are a busy person living in Jakarta. Here are a five ways you on focus on as you start your clean eating experience.
Ever since you were a child, you were told to drink eight glasses of water a day. It still holds true, as water does wonders for the body—it helps to flush toxins from your body, keeps your body and skin hydrated, and reduces water retention. Personally, I drink 1.5 litres of water daily when I saw the changes in my body when I first started it. If plain water is boring, you can infuse it with lemon or mint leaves.
Eating clean is about consuming natural food. So naturally—pun not intended—all processed, canned, preserved, and smoked food as well as anything that has added or artificial ingredients should go. Remember: our ancestors did not have processed foods in their time and they managed to live fine. Processed food not only contains artificial ingredients, they are also usually high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt. By consuming processed food on daily basis, there is a higher chance of water retention by your body as well as an increase risk of heart disease. Here in Jakarta, you can always shop at a traditional market to buy fresh food—not only is it healthier, it is also cheaper for your wallet.
Sure, most people would think that by increasing their intake of fruits and vegetables, they are feeding their body with healthier bites. However, do remember that artificial fertilisers and chemical pesticides remain as residue in fruit and vegetables, and eating these in the long run will harm our body. Organic farmed fruits and vegetables should be your first choice. You can simply subscribe to organic farms to have your weekly stock of fresh fruits and vegetables delivered to you.
Eating a healthy breakfast every day most definitely outweighs watching what you eat for every other meal of the day. A good breakfast kicks start your metabolism, provides your body with the nutrients it needs for the day, and helps with managing your appetite for the rest of the day. Since it is the most important meal of the day, consider options such as a bowl of granola garnished with your favourite fruits in almond nut milk, or even overnight oats that you can always order online to be delivered to your home.
Have you ever try to eat healthy to shed the kilos, but you just cannot seem to get rid of the extra weight? Perhaps you should try to watch the portion size of what you are eating. No matter how healthy you eat, portion control is the key. One way to control portions is to have five small meals a day, instead of three big meals a day. This option enables your body to breakdown and digest food more efficiently. You may find that this leaves you feeling more satiated than having three meals.
Eating Clean for Weight Management
Eating clean is important because it is key to effective weight management and overall wellbeing. The fact of the matter is that regardless how often you workout, the intensity of the workout, and the diet that you follow, you may be fit but not healthy. Being healthy is about watching what you eat.
This is the focus of clean eating—eating clean is not about losing weight, it is about being aware of what you are putting into your body, and ensuring that only foods that give you the most benefits are consumed. So that you build a body that is both fit, and healthy.
