A lot of you have been calling and emailing me saying that they want to “eat clean” but feel so overwhelmed with all the information out there. And I totally know where you’re coming from. I have my own success story for switching to a cleaner way of eating, but I did it as an experiment and had a point where the more I researched, the more confused I became. So I went my own way, had some trial and error but ultimately ended up cutting out meat, frozen pre-made dinners, dairy milk, soda, energy drinks and felt like a new person!
Eating clean has a number of positive side effects like better sleep, more energy, no longer feeling bloated, brighter glowing skin, shinier hair, and losing weight. Who doesn’t want that?!
I start clients and friends with the easiest way to transition to clean eating: to simply “Eat Low.” What I mean by that is eat lower on the food chain, become more of an herbivore. By substituting whole grains, produce, seeds, nuts and legumes for meat you will improve your health (BONUS: you’ll also help the environment). Even eating lower three times a week can make a drastic difference! Food journalist Mark Bittman tried this concept and within 3-4 months reported losing 35 pounds, having normal blood sugar, normal cholesterol levels, and getting rid of his sleep apnea. He decided to eat lower on the food chain before 6pm (aka was vegan before 6). The best part? He hasn’t eliminated anything completely from his diet. It can be that easy!
Regardless of what you want to change about your health, eating lower on the food chain is one of the easiest ways to start this transformation. Studies from around the world confirm that the lower on the food chain a human eats, the greater the protection against heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. There are a number of reasons for this: animal products 1) are a major source of saturated fat and cholesterol, 2) accumulate chemicals in higher concentrations, and 3) can contain large amounts of antibiotics and growth hormones.
But what about…
Worried about protein? Try quinoa + legumes for a complete protein.
Where will I get my calcium? Eat dark leafy greens like kale, mustard and dandelion greens.
What about iron? Beans, nuts, seeds, seaweeds, and whole grains are high in iron.
And zinc? Opt for nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains.
So make it simple. Eat Clean. Eat Low.
If you’re the type who needs more specific tools on how to choose foods lower on the food chain OR want help in making the switch to a healthier lifestyle, I can help. I’m here to support you on your journey to health, and help avoid some of the pitfalls and trial and error that I went through. Your health allows you to do what you want in life, and isn’t it about time you go for what you want?! The answer is yes 🙂
Live your WHOLE life,
Shannon
Statistics and quotes sourced from National Geographic’s True Food.
Hi! I should say thank you for the read. I enjoyed this read.