34 Clean Eating Recipes You'll Actually Want To Eat (2024)

FAQs

What 10 days of clean eating actually does to your body? ›

10 days can make a bigger difference than you think.

A recent study led by Robert Lustig, MD, showed that by simply taking fructose (from added sugar) out of the diet for 10 days, liver fat was reduced nearly 30%. There was no reduction in calories in the diet the patients were put on.

The more veggies — and the greater the variety — the better. Potatoes and French fries don't count. Choose fish, poultry, beans, and nuts; limit red meat and cheese; avoid bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats. Eat a variety of whole grains (like whole-wheat bread, whole-grain pasta, and brown rice).

If you're looking to detox and get back to being healthy, you can make yourself a 5 day clean eating plan. Clean eating is a simple concept— you only consume whole foods. By that, we mean foods that aren't processed or refined or are at least minimally processed.

A clean-eating meal plan includes tons of fresh fruits and veggies, high-fiber whole grains and legumes, healthy fats and lean proteins (like fish and chicken). It skips added sugars and minimizes sodium and saturated fats that can damage our hearts when we eat too much of them.

In addition to fruits and vegetables, egg whites, soy products, skinless poultry breasts, fish, shellfish, nonfat dairy foods, and 95% lean meat are all recommended for rapid weight loss.

Dedicate yourself to the clean eating lifestyle, and you'll lose about 3 pounds a week, Reno says. The benefits go beyond weight loss. You'll stay healthy and have more energy.

Eggs, dairy, beans and nuts are all suitable protein sources for a clean, vegetarian diet. Choose dairy with no added sugar and simple ingredients.

The main concern about bacon is its high levels of saturated fat and sodium, says Kristen Smith, RD, also a spokesperson for the AND. A diet high in saturated fat and sodium is linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, per the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Eating cleaner means limiting processed foods like bologna, salami, pepperoni and hot dogs. These—and other processed meat products—are usually high in sodium and may contain artificial colors as well as preservatives. Choosing environmentally sustainable protein when possible can help you with clean eating, too.

UNREFINED GRAINS AND LEGUMES

Must be 100% whole wheat or whole grains. Examples of whole, unrefined grains include brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, oatmeal, and popcorn. Always look for whole wheat flour. Whole wheat flour is different than wheat flour, so make sure the word "whole" is listed.

Is cheese clean eating? ›

For those who can tolerate dairy, cheeses can be a healthy and nutritious source of proteins and healthy fats if consumed in moderation. Cheese is allowed in the clean eating meal plan, but with an asterisk. Processed cheese slices or other packaged foods that contain cheese should be avoided.

​ According to health experts, potatoes are healthy and nutritious. They contain beneficial nutrients including fiber, potassium, iron, vitamin C and vitamin B6. The reason why people think they are unhealthy is because the way they're prepared is often not healthy.

While it's true that some brands of peanut butter have higher amounts of sugar or sodium, peanut butter is generally still a safe and healthy option when consumed in moderation.

In general, a low-carb way of eating shifts your intake away from problem foods—those high in carbs and sugar and without much fiber, like bread, bagels and sodas—and toward high-fiber or high-protein choices, like vegetables, beans and healthy meats.

Assuming your first course of action is to address diet changes, Sharp says as long as you're creating a calorie deficit of roughly 500 (up to 1,500) calories per day, you can expect to see anywhere from a one- to three-pound weight-loss in the first week.

Within the first few days you may feel more energized, alert and less bloated. After the first full week or two, you may experience changes in body composition, skin complexion and your mood. After a month and onward, you may have dropped some extra weight, lowered cholesterol levels and decreased high blood pressure.

One Week After Starting

Your body will be shedding all the excess water you were retaining thanks to a high sodium intake, along with too many processed foods earlier. This also comes with looking leaner in the mirror. Your scale weight will be down anywhere between 2-5 pounds. Food cravings are lessening further.

After one week of eating healthy, you will feel more energized and alert throughout the day. This is because the foods you eat contain nutrients that boost your energy levels.