6 Reasons I Choose Clean Eating

Posted byLisa at Micro of the MacroPosted inHealth & Well-Being, NutritionTags:, , , , , , , , , , ,
Ratatouille ready to simmer

Clean eating is a term that is broadly & loosely defined, I’ve learned while writing this post.  It can relate to not only food & drink, but also exercise, sleep, stress management, and spending time with loved ones, all of which are important for a happy, healthy life. But, to me, clean eating refers to only the consumption portion: choosing closer-to-the-Earth foods & drinks that are whole and organic, either unprocessed, or minimally processed with nothing artificial added. This practice provides my body with what it really needs.  As a result, I am the best possible steward of my health, which I believe to be my greatest asset.

Mango loveliness

There are many reasons I have made clean eating a lifestyle, and I want to share 6 of the biggies with you.

  • Eating whole, clean foods is the manner in which our ancestors ate, and the way Nature intended.  Only in the past 150 years has the practice of adding artificial flavors, colors, fillers, and other chemicals made in a lab become the norm. Because we evolved eating whole foods in their natural state, our bodies don’t recognize the man-made additives, and therefore don’t know how to process them.  Many times, they are tucked away in our fat stores, but sometimes, they make their way into our vascular system and organs, and have the potential to cause disease. I don’t want to take that risk.
Birthday cake made from black beans & dates, with avocado, date & cacao frosting – DELISH!

  • Committing to buying organic fruits and vegetables keeps genetically-modified foods out of my body.  Due in large part to government subsidies in this country, GMO food production is on the rise. This is true even though there have been no long-term studies done on human consumption, and short-term studies have yielded frightening results.  According to the article 10 Scientific Studies Proving GMOs Can Be Harmful to Human Health, consuming GMO food & drink may contribute to various cancers, gluten sensitivity, autism, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.  
Mineralizing water with cucs, berries, and Himalayan salt
  • Nutrient-dense whole foods are high in fiber, the preferred food of my gut’s microbiome.  Keeping my gut bugs happy is a priority, since they wield such power over my cravings and, therefore, my health in general.  (Go to this article for more on that.) According to Michael Greger, MD, author of the book How Not to Die, eating the Standard American Diet, (which is high in processed foods, meats, & dairy, and low in high-fiber whole plant foods) can result in needing 4 or more days for digestion and elimination, whereas plant-based eating requires only one to two days.  The slower process is undesirable for many reasons. For example, when those 4 or more days are passing, we don’t stop eating and wait for clearance; we continue eating more of the same hard-to-assimilate foods, placing an even larger burden on all body systems.  It’s no wonder that the US spends more than any other country on healthcare (or disease management, to be precise.)

  • Eating clean allows me to avoid taking most supplements.  That saves me money. It also helps me avoid more man-made additives.  In The China Study: Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health, T. Colin Campbell, PhD, Professor Emeritus at Cornell University, asserts that obtaining nourishment from a variety of whole plant foods is superior to taking supplements due to the symphony of nutrients released from plants that all work together, versus the single extracted vitamin or mineral that works on its own or with its manufactured ingredients.
Cherry tomatoes ready for a light sauté
  • Whole foods have a good amount of structured water in them, a different type of water molecule that is deeply hydrating and contributes to the optimal function of my body.  In his book Cells, Gels, and the Engines of Life, Dr. Gerald Pollack states that water is essential to each and every cellular process.  Most processed foods & drinks have little to no water content that can be used for cellular hydration.  (If you’d like to know more about the critical importance of hydration, check out this article.)

  • Clean eating contributes to a healthy pH balance in my body.  Processed foods cause the blood to become overly acidic, throwing off homeostasis.  When this occurs, the blood can leach minerals from the bones to reestablish its set point.  This can contribute to thinner bones and osteoporosis.  Additionally, blood that is constantly exposed to excess acid can become a breeding ground for cancer.
Cucumber blooms

Eating clean is a way to help meet your body’s essential needs while avoiding a tangle of harmful effects.  You were designed to eat real, whole foods.  By following Nature’s protocol, you are taking responsibility for your health, your greatest asset.

Blessings for Healthy Choices, 

Lisa

The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.

80 thoughts on “6 Reasons I Choose Clean Eating”

  2. Lisa I get inspired every week I read your blog!! Question tho, how does one check their body’s ph balance to keep it in check? I recently was told I have osteoporosis, genetic I guess, I eat very little processed food.

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    1. Hello, my friend! Nice to see you! I have bought pH strips that test urine at natural food stores. Other things can cause an acidic body, like overexercising, stress, and even some good-for-you foods, if eaten in excess. I’m going to email you more info. Much love to you! Hope your spring/summer is beautiful & fire-free! 🌞

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  7. Lisa, this article like all others is so informative and inspiring to take the right step in nutrition.
    Since reading your last few posts, we have already incorporated a lot of whole plant products, and home made natural sauces and dips into our diet, taking out some processed ones.
    I am currently trying to work on areas of snacks and quick bites, trying to get alternative for cookies, chips, cakes etc.
    Very thankful to you for sharing such beautiful knowledge on wellbeing 🥦🌽🥑🚶‍♂️🚴‍♂️🏕️🌄

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    1. Fantastic, Deb! Thank you for sharing your kind words; I am grateful you find my posts inspiring! As for sweet treats, I’ve found that dates processed with almost any nuts, oats, or a combination, with a sprinkle of cinnamon and maybe cacao powder is pretty tasty. I sometimes use freshly squeezed orange juice and zest, as well. Keep up the good work for your family’s good health! 🌞

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  8. As always, you lay the FACTS out just as they are. I recently read a quote that I put into my notes so that I could read it every single day hoping that one day I will be able to stop my worst habit…….drinking Dr. Pepper! Every day, from the time my feet hit the floor in the morning until I fall asleep at night, I have a DP in my hand! The quote stated, “Most of our bad habits are due to laziness or lack of willpower”. I’m not sure that I completely agree with this quote because I am definitely not lazy! I am like the “energizer bunny on cocaine” every single day. I also don’t believe it’s a lack of willpower. I do, however think it possibly may be an addiction. I would be interested to know your thoughts on this particular matter.

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    1. Nice to see you, mamaceil. Thanks for your comment. Yes, I believe that you’ve been addicted to DP for years. And all that time you’ve been saying you’d like to stop. But, have you made consistent strides toward that goal? Because of the nature of bad habits, we often do them without thinking. Overcoming them takes consistent, conscious action. And I know you can do it; you just need to make the commitment. Blessings for a sunny weekend! 🌞

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  11. Always such beautiful posts, dear Lisa. Love it. I quite like the term clean-eating as you have laid it out here, and completely agree with your reasoning. As you and I have discussed before, my partaking in a vegan diet (which, I now know can also be seen through the lens of a clean-diet, due to your post 🙂 these past 1.5 years has been transformational for the body and mind. Have a wonderful Sunday!! 🤗😊

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  12. I have been working on eating more whole foods and providing whole food options for my family. This post, as well as many of your others, has given me the facts I needed to help me make changes without looking back. Thank you for the awesome information and yummy recipes you provide!

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  13. We had to learn about GMO foods at school. I think that it’s good that there isn’t as much here in NL. I think a lot of fruit juices, fizzy drinks, and desserts and snacks which are ready-made at the supermarket have chemicals and food processing in them. Luckily, I don’t really like any of those. It’s good that you don’t have to takes as many supplements other than the things that come with veganism like b-twelve. My older sister practises clean eating and yoga.

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    1. Hi, Simone, I am happy to hear your school teaches the dangers of GMOs! Not sure if that will ever happen here in the States. Sounds like you & your sis make healthy choices, which is fantastic. You are definitely ahead of the curve! Hope your weekend is going well! 🌞

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  14. Ah Lisa, I love these posts you put out here … after reading it, I just want to grab an apple and have some water with cucumber 😉. No seriously, to eat whole clean food is absolutely the way to go! I can feel how my body is thanking me when I eat healthy (and protesting when I don’t!)
    Thank you for a great post – and reminding us that we are responsible for our own health!

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      1. Well now that you’ve gotten famous from Micro to Macro.. you are busy.. 🤣❤️💖 Nice your blog is growing and expanding but don’t forget your friends in the low lands.. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
        have a great day and big love and always laughter 🤣❤️🤣🤣

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      5. I sooo do!!! thanks darling. Wait… now I’ve been to your site too and you should see that unless I’m in spam too. Climb on the mountain and the blog.
        So funny I got the white stone from Unity in the mail today for Xmas in July.. looked like and eraser. I’m gonna use it to erase what’s needed and rise to the white light.
        hugs and love. 💖🤗❤️🤗

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  26. Lots of good information. GMO foods and diet can really be such a big influence. Probably should be more effort spent on keeping people healthy than helping them once they are sick. I like all the things you point out in this point. Great info. Thanks for sharing this all!

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  29. I found this a very interesting article… long have I long felt, that many of us have been conditioned to happily go to the supermarket, and purchase our weekly supply of poison, in the guise of food, to feed our families…
    🇯🇲🏖️

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