Page 33 - 28_Days_of_Clean_Eating.sanet.cd

Refined flour and sugars: To keep processed foods shelf stable,
they have to be highly refined, and during this process, most or all of
the nutrition has often been removed. Also look out for “enriched”
or “fortified” foods. In these cases, vitamins and nutrients are added
to refined products along with other unhealthy additives to fool us
into thinking they are healthy, but they’re not.

Nonclean oils: Canola oil, corn oil, vegetable oil, palm oil, soybean
oil, and any hydrogenated oils are all highly processed and should
be avoided.

Processed and packaged foods: Often times, these products con-
tain processed sugars, unhealthy fats, and harmful chemicals to
increase shelf life.
The role of corn in a clean eating diet is worth addressing
head-on. Most of the corn products in supermarkets today are made
with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which places them
squarely on the no-eating list for clean eaters. Unfortunately, there
is no requirement for manufacturers to note on food labels that corn
has been altered with GMOs. The only way to ensure you’re buying
non-GMO corn is to buy organic, whether it’s fresh corn, tortilla
chips, or polenta.

Taking Inventory

Now that you know the basics of eating clean, the next step is to take
some time and think about your current eating habits. A great tool
to have is a food journal. Before beginning the meal plan included
in this book, you may want to write down what you eat over the
course of a few days as well as how you felt afterward. Establish a
baseline before you make the changes to eat clean. Over the next
month, record what you eat, even if they are less-than-ideal choices.
Remember that eating clean is a lifestyle choice, not a diet. It’s abso-
lutely fine, now and again, if you indulge with a cheeseburger or a
piece of cake. In a few weeks, you’ll look back and see how far you
have come, and you’ll feel empowered and proud of how well you’re
taking care of yourself.

32 28 Days of Clean Eating