Spring… Time to Eat Clean!
Hi Rx Girls!
Spring is right arou
nd the corner and if you live in San Diego (or California), you know how hot it's been this 'winter'. So it only stands to reason that as we get ready to Spring Forward, on Sunday, March 9th, we also spring into leaning out and start eating cleaner!
For those of you who are bikini, figure, physique or bodybuilding competitors, this is old school, but for the rest of you who want to decrease that winter bodyfat that you've been storing, increase your lean muscle or just to maintain your current fitness level and goals, this is the article for you.
Clean Eating 101
Once you've decided to start eating clean, you may find a few unexpected obstacles in your local grocery stores (aka temptation), but if you follow the guidelines to navigate your way around, eating becomes much easier and temptation decreases;
*Become an Outsider: Always shop the outer perimeter of your local grocery store. This generally includes your proteins (meats), fruits and vegetables, while the inside aisles tend to have more of your starches, and your back aisle often stores your processed foods, butters and dairy products.
*Limit Processed Foods: Due to the fact that processed foods (including luncheon and deli meats) are high in saturated fat, calories, sodium and sodium nitrates, this is a big negative to consume and should be reduced or eliminated. If you feel that you must have deli meats, choose those that are lower in calories and sodium and/or decrease the number of slices that you would use.
*Starches: When eating clean, beware of your complex carbs, and try to eat more fibrous carbohydrates (vegetables) which are healthier for you and can hel
p you in your goals of weight loss, fat loss and leaning out. Choose your starches that are higher in fiber and lower in carbohydrates and depending on how much you cut back, you'll have tangible difference.
*Spices: Variety is the spice of life! That being said, decrease your table salt, as it can often lead to water retention and bloating. If you must have salt, reach for your sea salts instead. This is also a great time to experiment with other seasonings and spices to give your old foods new life.
*Vegetables: Well this goes without saying, but just in case... if you find you're not a “big” vegetable eater, you can always juice or make a vegetable smoothie and throw in a few pieces of fruit to increase your enjoyment of your vegetables. I personally love to add apples, carrots as well as beets to my juicing. The taste is fabulous!
*Proteins: When eating clean, that means eating LEANER proteins, such as turkey (breast and ground), chicken, tuna and egg whites. Eliminate or decrease the fatty meats, skin, marbling and trim off all visible fats.
*Water; RxGirls know all the benefits of water and when you're eating clean, getting lean and working out, getting in your wa
ter is even more important.
So to recount:
1. Shop on the outer areas of the store and avoid the center aisles when possible.
2. Decrease salts and foods high in sodium.
3. Drink plenty of water.
4. Consume more vegetables.
5. Choose your starches wisely based upon the fiber, calorie, sugars and fat content.
6. Add fruits to your juicing or smoothies.
7. Trim all visible fats.
8. Eat leaner protein sources.
So there you have it! If you have any additional questions on getting started, drop me an email at [email protected].
Fitfully yours,
Lisa Taylor
Taylor Made Fitness
www.Mytaylormadefitness.com
www.Facebook.com/Taylormadefitnesssd
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