The Fitness Log: Clean Eating


So today marks the beginning of a lifestyle and fitness change. A pretty significant one at that. For the last few months I've been reading more and more about clean eating, researching the pros and cons of eating clean, and basically just making sure that it was something I not only wanted to do, but could feasibly fit into my life.

What is Clean Eating?

I'm sure most of you will have heard of clean eating before and maybe have a vague idea of what eating clean actually includes. However, if you don't here's a little run down of the basic structures of eating clean.

The principles of eating clean aren't new. Prior to big factories making our food, those cavemen and cavewomen ate a diet that was largely clean.

Clean eating essentially involves avoiding foods that are processed, and instead choosing to eat foods that will maximise your energy levels and general health. Whilst some people consider clean eating to be a vegan lifestyle, others just find it a flexible way to adapt their lifestyle and diet to include more whole foods, and prodcuts from nature.

Clean eating can also mean eating organic and locally grown foods. Others suggest that you only need to be eating organic foods if you eat the skin of the fruit - such as apples, peaches, plums and so on.

As with many diet choices (and when I say diet I mean food consumption, not crash diets or diet plans like Atkins, Weight Watchers, Slimming World, Cabbage Soup etc.) clean eating is really flexible and if you chose to eat clean you can cut out certain foods, or keep them in if you can't live without them (such as if you have a lot of dairy).

I've previously lost weight on these diet plans, so in no way am I discounting weight watchers or any of the others. However, I want to develop a lifestyle and not just follow a diet to lose weight, as I want something that I can do forever.

Why Eat Clean?

I've had a diet that is pretty clean anyway. I never eat ready meals and I always make my sauces for meals from scratch. However, when it comes to things like sweet food, snacks, soups, beans etc I use processed products.

I really want to try and adapt to a clean eating lifestyle 99% of the time - trying to make healthy choices but obviously when we stay with family or eat out it will be harder to control this!

My eczema largely reacts when I cut down on naughty food so I think that eating clean is the natural progression. Also, I am so busy, all the time, and if I can get more energy and feel better about myself simply by supplementing certain foods for more natural ones - then I'm all for it!

What Changes Will I Be Making?

I want to eat five meals a day rather than three big ones (also a popular choice with clean eaters).

I want to cut out:

White sugar
Brown sugar
White flour
"Refined" ingredients
Fatty cuts of meat
Solid oils
Processed foods (so things in packets and boxes with more than two ingredients)

I get that a lot of you might not see the point, or think it is quite strange but I really want to make the most out of my body and be as healthy as I can. I know that suddenly giving my diet an overhaul will take time and might be hard at times, which is why I though you might want to hear more about it. If you're interested in hearing more about it, how I'm coping and some clean eating recipes then let me know below!


  1. I really enjoyed reading this! Clean eating is good for you. I hope it works well. I want to do this a lot more than I do too!

    lots of love

    www.bamblingsofnaffy.blogspot.co.uk xxx

    1. thank you, hopefully it will be a success!

  2. A girl after my own heart! I've always believed you are what you eat. It will just become a way of life for you...good luck!
    Have a wonderful weekend Hun xoxo

    1. I'm hoping so Adele :) you too lovely x

  3. im trying to eat as healthy as i can but having a busy life it is so hard to completley cut out ready food :(

    1. I know how you feel! A lot of those that eat clean suggest sitting down on a day like Sunday, and planning what you're going to eat that week, prepping stuff to grab and take out with you so that might help :) xxx

  4. Love this post, I've seen a few on eating clean recently and love the idea of it. Any clean restaurants we can go to in Manchester? :) xxx

    1. I'm not sure babe! I'll try scout one out ;) xx

  5. I try to eat clean as much as possible, and I also find it helps you feel less lethargic and I never get as bloated. Ready meals are a massive no no for me. So much processed crap in them! xxx

    1. definitely, like I say I never eat them it more just the little niggly bits that I need to get rid of! haha xx

  6. Great post! I've been reading a lot about clean eating recently as well since I'm hoping to make similar changes to my diet. It's so hard to do given my profession and busy lifestyle but I'm hoping to somehow fit it in... if not 100% then hopefully 80/20.

    xo, alison*elle

    1. Glad to hear it :) Well I think it is pretty impossible to eat 100% clean unless you have family and friends doing it too. My family and my boyfriend like to eat out a lot and drink so I think I'll have to be with you on the 80/20 thing. It seems more flexible for normal lifestyles. :)

  7. I've been following clean eating for a year or so and I can see visible changes, and I also feel so much better. So, 100% "yes" to clean eating and good luck to you)))

    1. thank you very much! Glad to hear that you've had sucess with it :)


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