In the world of computing, the acronym Garbage In, Garbage Out (GIGO) refers to the fact that if you input “dirty” code, your software will never work. The foods and drinks that we put in our body function much the same way. Known generally as “clean eating”, it is one of those truisms that we all know, but occasionally must be reminded of, that in order to be healthy, we must be sure to eat clean foods and drinks.
THE THREE PILLARS OF CLEAN EATING
Pillar 1 – The most important step in clean eating is to avoid consuming chemicals, additives, preservatives, artificial substances, and genetically-engineered organisms (GMO). While many of these products are legally able to tout their “natural” origin, or “healthy” benefits, we all know that the clean, pure foods found in nature have absolutely nothing in common with these poisonous industrial products.
While many people are understandably focused on the results of eating clean, such as losing weight, having clearer skin and complexions, and healing from illnesses, even an otherwise healthy person will force their body to work overtime if they consume chemicals and artificial additives in their foods and beverages. Before we can begin to achieve maximum health, the first step is to quit taxing our bodies with toxic substances.
Pillar 2 – After moving towards a diet that is free from chemicals and preservatives, the next area to be aware of is understanding the source of the fruits, vegetables, grains, and even meats that we eat. A tomato grown with tender loving care in a small garden is a vastly different plant than what results from large-scale commercial growing enterprises. Secondly, food is always cleaner when it is acquired in its purest, most natural state, meaning fresh from the vine, bush, tree, or plant instead of being boiled, canned, diced, and otherwise processed.
While some advocates of clean eating avoid the consumption of meats, others feel comfortable with it. Whenever possible, it is best to buy meat in its natural, whole state from a local butcher, instead of processed meats like hamburgers and sausages, mass-produced by robotic industrial machines on a commercial scale. Consuming meat in its cleanest state starts with buying large joints or natural cuts of meat, and then cutting them and processing them at home yourself, rather than relying on industrial machines to serve up pre-packaged fillets and steaks.
Consuming whole grains and fiber, as opposed to processed white flour, is an important part of eating clean. In this area, a careful examination of the label is very important. While it’s fashionable and convenient to put the word “whole grains” on products, a careful examination of the label often reveals that while yes, the food was made from whole grains, it was also made with ordinary processed white flour as well, completely negating the benefit of eating clean.
Last, but not least, a good way to ensure that you are eating clean is to count the number of ingredients in the foods that you are eating. The old rule of thumb of five or less ingredients is incredibly useful. Almost anything for sale in a supermarket that has more than five ingredients is probably heavily processed and full of chemicals, preservatives, or additives.
Pillar 3: The third pillar of clean eating is regulating your meals.
Nutritional science now understands that the human body does best when we eat small meals more often, rather than the traditional three large meals during the day. A number of hormones and other natural chemicals are produced during the digestive process, and keeping our bodies fueled and hydrated throughout the day helps keep those hormones at steady levels. When we go from large meals to periods of not consuming anything, the insulin in our blood spikes and falls, and adds a lot of stress to our bodies.
Nighttime and the sleep period is when our bodies rest and repair from the stresses of the day. When we are active and alert, it is generally a good idea to keep our bodies in a steady state of processing and digestion, converting the clean foods and beverages we consume into a healthy source of reliable energy.
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