Clean eating is an eating style that emphasizes consuming whole, minimally processed foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. The idea is to avoid heavily processed foods that are high in fat, sugar, sodium, chemicals, preservatives, food dyes, and other additives that may be detrimental to overall health and well-being. Clean eating is not a federally regulated term, so its interpretation can vary widely among consumers and the food industry. However, a clean diet typically includes whole fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats while limiting highly processed snacks and other packaged foods with added sugar and salt. Some clean diets advise eliminating groups of foods like dairy, wheat, or refined sugars.

Here are some tips for clean eating:

• Choose fresh, whole foods instead of boxed, bagged, or packaged foods.
• Opt for whole fruits instead of juices, which have less fiber and more sugar.
• Read food labels and avoid items with artificial colors, sweeteners, preservatives, and other manmade ingredients.
• Drink plenty of water, which can curb hunger, fend off fatigue, and give you more energy.
• Consider organic produce, which is grown without synthetic pesticides.
• Track your daily food intake and ensure you are staying on top of your daily calorie needs.
• Emphasize whole, nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and quality proteins.

Clean eating can be a concept that promotes health and wellness by encouraging the selection of minimally processed fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy proteins, and healthy fats. However, it is important to note that just because a food doesn’t qualify as “clean” doesnt automatically mean it is “dirty” or bad for you in any way.