I just purchased a magazine that I’ve never heard of before, Clean Eating, and am thrilled that I did. It has me more inspired about eating and cooking even healthier than I currently do now. The following is an excerpt from the magazine, which basically explains the rule(s) of thumb for clean eating.

The soul of clean eating is consuming food in its most natural state, or as close to it as possible. It is not a diet; it’s a lifestyle approach to food and its preparation, leading to an improved life – one meal at a time.

• Eat five to six times a day – three meals and two to three small snacks. Include a lean protein, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and a complex carbohydrate with each meal. This keeps your body energized and burning calories efficiently all day long.
• Drink at least two liters of water a day – preferably from a reusable canteen or container, not plastic; being friends with the environment is important!
• Get label savvy – clean foods contain just one or two ingredients. Any product with a long ingredient list is human-made and not considered clean.
• Avoid processed and refined foods – such as white flour, sugar, bread and pasta. Enjoy complex carbs such as whole grains instead.
• Know thy enemies – steer clear of anything high in saturated and trans-fats, anything fried or anything high in sugar.
• Shop with a conscience – consume humanely raised and local meats.
• Consume healthy fats – essential fatty acids or EFAs, every day.
• Learn about portion sizes – and work toward eating within them.
• Reduce your carbon footprint – eat produce that is seasonal and local. It is less taxing on your wallet and our environment.
• Drink water with a lemon wedge – a glass of red for a special occasion is OK, but it should be a rare indulgence. The health benefits of red wine are reversed after more than one glass a day.
• Slow down and savor – never rush through a meal. Food tastes better when savored. Enjoy every bite.
• Take it to go – pack a cooler for work or outings so you always have clean eats on the go.
• Make it a family affair – food is a social glue that should be shared with loved ones. Improve the quality of your family’s life along with your own.

Note: So, while I think these are all excellent tips and I actually do most of them already, I do have some recipes that use sugar, white flour, bread and pasta. My thoughts… eats those things in moderation as best as you can.