Clean Eating

First off, what is clean eating?

"Eating clean refers to consuming high quality foods not containing sugars, fats, trans-fats and other unnecessary ingredients. Compare clean eating to fueling a high quality ultra performance sports car. The car won’t perform well unless you fill it with the highest-grade gasoline. Similarly your body won’t function effectively or look good if you feed it inferior quality foods. The basis of eating clean involves consuming lean protein along with complex carbohydrates at every meal. The quantity of protein should approximate the size of the palm of your hand. The most important meal of the day is breakfast which should be balanced with oatmeal topped with berries followed by egg whites. Lunches and dinners should contain protein from excellent sources like chicken breast, turkey, pork or beef tenderloin, fish and egg whites. Each meal must include fresh fruits and vegetables. Complex carbohydrates like these ensure proper utilization of protein, essential for building lean muscle mass."

Source: http://www.oxygenmag.com/expert.php?id=105

I truly aspire to this ideal of nourishment, but most days I find it difficult to do to say the least.

I know that it will make me feel SO much better and help me look so much better. I know it is the way we are supposed to eat, not all that overly processed junk they call food. But those horrible cravings won't leave me alone sometimes. What I've learned this time around in the weight-loss game is that giving into those cravings once in awhile isn't the end of my weight loss journey. Just because I eat junk one time or two or even a half a dozen times doesn't mean that it's all over. I can turn myself around with the very next decision I make.

So, today's craving was Chinese buffet. I love the sizzling chicken and crabmeat rangoon and steamed dumplings. But you know what? I sure don't feel good after eating them. And it's not guilt I am feeling (I gave myself permission to eat it) - it's an actual physical discomfort. I don't feel this way after eating a clean meal and I like not feeling anything but satisfied after eating. Can it be I am learning?! I may get there yet!