Eating Clean – So, you’ve decided to try eating clean? First off, kudos. Seriously. I remember when I made that choice, and, boy, I had no idea what I was getting into. At the time, I thought eating clean was just a buzzword that fitness influencers used. But as I dove into it, I realized there’s a lot more to it than just cutting out junk food. It’s about making intentional choices that nourish your body, and it can be way harder than it sounds—trust me, I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way. But, after years of trial and error, I can give you a pretty solid rundown of what you should know before you jump in.
Eating Clean: What You Should Know Before Starting
1. It’s Not Just About Eating Salad
When I first started eating clean, I thought it was all about kale, quinoa, and endless salads. I mean, I pictured myself munching on a sad lettuce leaf while secretly wishing for a burger. But here’s the truth: eating clean is more about focusing on whole, unprocessed foods that nourish your body, not just eating raw vegetables all day.
I’ve learned that eating clean isn’t about restricting yourself or feeling deprived. It’s about making better choices with what you already enjoy. If you like pasta, for example, you can switch to whole grain or legume-based pasta. Same goes for snacks—switching from processed chips to baked sweet potato fries or raw nuts is an easy swap. And, trust me, you won’t feel like you’re missing out.
For me, one of the game changers was realizing that I could still enjoy things I loved, just in cleaner forms. It doesn’t have to be bland. It’s about swapping the processed versions of your favorite foods with something more wholesome.
2. You’ll Need to Learn to Read Labels
When I first started eating clean, I had no idea what half of the ingredients on a food label meant. It was like a foreign language. I’d pick up a product, thinking it was healthy because the front said “organic” or “natural,” but when I flipped it over, it was full of stuff I couldn’t even pronounce.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that the less ingredients, the better. When you start reading labels carefully, you’ll see that many “healthy” foods are packed with hidden sugars, preservatives, and chemicals. Even things like “gluten-free” snacks can be loaded with unnecessary additives to make up for the lack of gluten.
Now, I always go for products that are as close to their natural form as possible. If I’m buying something processed, I look for fewer than five ingredients—and I try to make sure I can pronounce them all. One of the first things I did was switch to natural peanut butter with just peanuts and salt. It’s simple, but it makes a huge difference.
3. Meal Prep is Your Best Friend
Okay, I’m going to be real with you—eating clean is way harder when you don’t have meals ready to go. I used to fall into the trap of saying, “I don’t have time to cook,” and then I’d grab something convenient—like a frozen meal or takeout. But that’s not clean eating.
The key to sticking with eating clean is meal prep. At first, I resisted it because I didn’t want to spend all my free time cooking. But once I got into a groove, I found it was the only way to make it work. I started setting aside a couple of hours on the weekend to prep my meals for the week. It sounds like a lot at first, but it saved me time during the week, and I never had to wonder what to eat.
The best part? You can make clean eating fun. You can prep everything from chicken, veggies, and quinoa to healthy salads and even homemade energy balls for snacks. There are so many recipes out there, and once you get the hang of it, meal prepping will feel like second nature.
4. It’s Not All About Cutting Out “Bad” Foods
This was a tough pill for me to swallow: clean eating isn’t just about cutting out “bad” foods—it’s also about what you add in. At first, I was focused solely on eliminating things like processed sugar, dairy, and fast food. But I soon realized that if I didn’t replace those with healthier options, I would feel deprived.
For example, I used to snack on sugary granola bars all the time, and when I cut them out, I found myself craving them constantly. What helped was replacing them with whole food alternatives—things like homemade granola made with oats, honey, and nuts. Now, instead of feeling deprived, I felt like I was indulging in something better for me.
So, the key takeaway here is that clean eating isn’t just about restriction—it’s about upgrading your choices. You don’t have to be perfect all the time, but make sure you’re adding more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your diet. It’s about making better choices, not about perfection.
5. You’ll Have to Be Patient with Yourself
The one thing I wish someone had told me before I started eating clean was that it’s going to take time, and it’s okay to slip up. There were days where I got frustrated and thought, “What’s the point of this if I’m still craving pizza?” But the key is that eating clean isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a lifestyle. You’re not going to wake up tomorrow and magically love kale. (Trust me, I still have my days.)
The more I focused on progress rather than perfection, the easier it got. I learned to give myself grace on days when I didn’t follow through, but I also celebrated the wins. Whether it was swapping out sugary coffee for black coffee or cooking my own meals instead of grabbing fast food, those small changes started to add up.
Another thing I’ve learned is that clean eating doesn’t always mean you’re going to feel “perfect” all the time. There are moments when I miss pizza or crave chocolate, but the key is balance. Instead of beating myself up over a treat, I focus on the fact that most of the time, I’m making healthier choices. That’s where the real progress lies.
Final Thoughts
Starting clean eating is a huge commitment, but it’s one that pays off. You’re not just feeding your body better food; you’re also giving yourself more energy, better mood, and potentially even clearer skin. It won’t happen overnight, and you’ll definitely hit some bumps along the way. But with a little planning, some patience, and a willingness to learn, clean eating can become a natural part of your life. So, take it one step at a time, and enjoy the process of feeling healthier and more vibrant. You’ve got this!
