I don’t believe in fad diets. I’ve calorie counted before but that’s about it, everything else just seems boring, impossible or terribly expensive (wouldn’t it be just super if we could all afford those perfectly balanced freshly made meals delivered straight to our door everyday!)
However, I have recently had a baby, I need to lose a few pounds and something weird has happened to my inner thighs. I think it might be where the vast quantity of malteasers I consumed somewhere between week 12 and week 39 have decided to reside.
Over the past couple of months I have become increasingly interested in what is commonly known as “clean eating”, not so much a diet more a positive lifestyle change. To sum up my conclusion of what it entails (I’m no expert and there are literally hundreds of variations) it’s about enjoying fresh, un-processed food and cutting out gluten, refined sugars and unnecessary chemicals where possible. Some folks also choose to go dairy free, I personally haven’t but I have cut back on fatty cheeses and exchanged cows milk for almond when I can.
What I like about it is the fact it’s about fuelling your body, making it super fit and healthy, filling it with nutritious goodness and not starving yourself or denying yourself something delicious (yes, there are plenty of treats!). If you are hungry eat something, just make sure it’s good for you.
Since adopting this attitude towards what I eat a few weeks ago I’ve dropped 4lb, not felt bloated once and have considerably more energy. Have I been tempted to reach for the biscuits? of course, I’m only bloody human – but I’ve managed to have a piece of fruit instead and was glad that I did.
As with any lifestyle “change” there is a certain amount of thought and preparation that goes into it and yes the reason so many of us consume so much processed crap is because it’s easy. We lead such busy lives, who has the time to cook from scratch?
I have a few quick and easy new-ish basics up my sleeves, I also have adapted some our usual favourites such as Nigella’s Rapid Ragu by exchanging the lamb for lean turkey mince, the onion relish for fresh finely chopped red onion and a teaspoon of honey and giving the Masala wine a miss.
Omlettes are ace, there are so many amazing fillings you can whip up quickly. As are sweet potato fries and courgette spaghetti (in exchange for regular potato chips and pasta). I’ve made a couple of the more dessert type items in batches so they last a few days, these muffins for example were recommended by reader Katie on my sugar sugar post last week.
The biggest challenge for me was where to start, so I did it by collating a list of all the ingredients I needed for the aforementioned new-ish basic recipes and went on a trip to Whole Foods in Cheltenham, James and Mabel in tow. The place is AMAZING, seriously go – it’s worth it for the make-your-own-peanut-butter station alone and we spent a good few hours there perusing the aisles and enjoying a lovely lunch in their cafe.
Since then it’s been a case of experimenting and following various more experienced clean eating veterans on instagram for inspiration. Talking of which, I would find it incredibly useful if any of you are interested/are already partaking in this kind of lifestyle change to share your recipes and ideas, I’ve even created a little hashtag #RMSeatclean which I will check frequently and add to my own attempts. My own personal instagram account is @rockmywedding should you want to take a butchers at my breakfast, lunch and snacks so far, please be aware there are also lots of pictures of babies. And lipsticks. And flowers.
I could go on, but I’m such a beginner, I imagine I’ll be sharing more of my “clean eating” journey and recipe recommendations in the near future if anyone’s interested. My aim in the next few weeks is to really learn all about seasoning, admittedly leaving out certain not-so-good-for-you bits and bobs can leave things a little bland. I’m also not unrealistic enough to think I can eat clean 100% of the time – I’m a working Mama after all. Plus I would miss Proscecco too much. And Kit Kats. And Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food ice-cream. I just need to get the right balance. I figure aiming for this lifestyle change 90% of the time is a pretty good effort.
Just removing that teaspoon of sugar from hot beverages has had a significant impact, if I average 4 to 5 cups a day that’s 35 teaspoons a week which is a shocking 140 teaspoons a month….Oh. My. Goodness. I’ve introduced green and peppermint tea which I quite enjoy but I can’t miss my morning coffee, neither should I.
As always, please do leave your thoughts and notes on your own experiences in the comments section below.
My experience of more healthy eating is that everyone in the house has to eat healthy too or else the weekly shop is outrageous and you just end up eating all the ‘good stuff’ such as chocolate, salami, biscuits and cheese!
Having put on 8pounds a few years ago I had never been motivated till now to get rid of it until a lovely colleague who had not seen me in a year stated I looked like I had ‘put on the beef’. Charming. Along with a husband who is constantly talking about my love handles and belly – in a negative way I may add – now is the time to get fit.
So far so good, meals usually consist of chicken and rice, fish and rice or just with veg. Breakfast I struggle with, still have my cereal as get bored with porridge everyday. But love a salad bowl for lunch. Have just started following some people on Instagram for inspiration such as:
Deliciouslyella
Substance_blog
Theskinnyconfidential
Kayla_itsines
Nourishbynature
I have upped my excercise regime and hopefully with this and healthier eating a leaner me will emerge in 12 weeks.
I’m lucky in that I don’t drink tea or coffee but can’t get my tastebuds around green tea so sometimes just have hot water which they say its good for you but is it not still just water?
In terms of recepies I tend to steal from other peoples instagrams or put a twist on a classic such as spag Bol. I found using Cajun spices on my chicken a big help to stop things being bland. I’ll get thinking and adding the #tag!
Hi Jill! Thanks so much for your instagram recommendations! can’t wait to see your efforts 🙂
I don’t get the hot water thing either, although in winter hot squash/blackcurrant it quite nice. I think maybe I need to invest in some Cajun spices, I’ve only really begun to appreciate spicier food in the last few years, I have no clue on seasoning/what I should be using.
I’m sorry to hear you have a completely tactless colleague, just wait until they cop eyes on the new you 🙂
This is pretty much my life at the moment, following the I Quit Sugar mantra – but clean eating sums it up pretty well. It’s definitely a lifestyle change and not a diet. Someone asked me how long I was giving up sugar for but I can’t unlearn the crazy sugar levels in some of the food I used to eat so I can’t see me quitting quitting sugar any time soon!
It is hard when there’s not much in the cupboards though. You 100% have to be prepared. This morning is a typical Monday where I’m in a rush and we don’t have much in so I’m going to Pret to get a salad for my lunch. Otherwise I’d be left trying to create something healthy out of the offerings of our canteen and that won’t happen.
I live in Nottingham and would LOVE them to open a Wholefoods here. I went in few when I was in America recently and the sheer quantity and variety of guacomole made me very excited! If anyone can recommend any good health shops in Nottingham id love to know where to go? Holland and Barratt sell some stuff but they seem very expensive! And Pret seems to be the only place to go for lunch on the run unless anyone has any other alternatives?
Jennifer I hear you, there are so few lunch outlets that offer healthy options – unless you live in London of course. We have a local health food shop but the choice is limited, Cheltenham is still quite a trek from where we live just to go to what is essentially a supermarket (!) I think we’ll just go every month or so or order bits and pieces on line.
What salads do you have from Pret? I have the chef one usually.
I find eating in summer more difficult for some reason (!) it tends to be salad or um…salad. In winter I love a good soup, and there are loads of options with those. x
Ah, I just assumed you were in The London! I see so many things on instagram that people are eating in London restaurants and it makes me very jealous!
Yep, I have the chef salad or the super food one. They’re both lovely and very filling. They have a new salad out this month that includes asparagas and pea and quinoa but they didn’t have any ready when I popped in this morning so I didn’t get to try it..
I hear you with the summer food – although it is very easy when it’s BBQ weather! One thing I made recently which you should definitely try is cauliflower pizza – http://www.sarahwilson.com/2013/06/my-new-love-cauliflower/ I made it the other weekend and the base actually went a bit dough like. I could eat the pizza slice with my hands like it was actually proper pizza! It also has a recipe for cauliflower rice which I am yet to try but Helen mentioned below.
Courgetti is next on my list – did you buy a spiraliser?? Xx
I am going to buy a spiraliser!!! I don’t have one at the minute no, but I clearly need one!
The new Pret salad sounds fab, I used to love the chocolate mousse in there then one day decided to read the sugar and fat content….I nearly died.
I didn’t realise cauliflower was so versatile?! certainly not in terms of pizza, wow – I will definitely be giving that one a whirl, thanks so much for the recommendation. x
Not too sure if this is eating “clean” but I’ve made cauliflower rice recently and it was really nice. Put it in a food processor or hand grate it. Ping it in the microwave in a covered dish with no water et voila you have fluffy cauliflower rice. It’s got quite a mild taste to it and works really well with curries etc xx
Helen that sounds dead easy (I’m all up for dead easy recipes!) and yes, it would definitely count as clean eating. I’m actually looking for some curry recipes that qualify as clean and this rice would be perfect x
I am also trying to eat cleaner – with varying degrees of success!
One suggestion – add a slice of lemon to your hot water. It is great in the morning! A mini cleanse and detox, kicks off your metabolism, is a Vit C hit and is supposed to aid concentration.
I do try and stick to porridge with skimmed milk and fruit in the mornings. Cereal is terrifying for the hidden sugar! I also get confused about what milk to use – I have read articles saying the you are better having whole milk even though it’s higher in fat as skimmed milk has more hidden sugars and nastiness – so confusing! As is fruit – there are so many articles out there now talking about ‘bad fruit’ – things that I would usually go to such as pre prepared pineapple and mango I will now keep away from due to all the sugar. I mainly stick to berries and a green apples as they seem to get less of a bad rap!
Lunches tend to be something such as avocado and chicken on rye bread toast or the kids chicken and rice box with broccoli from Leon (more than an adequate size for lunch and pretty healthy and handy if I’m running about!).
A couple of years ago I did Weight Watchers and while I do not stick to that plan anymore I have taken on some of it’s benefits permanently such as cooking most meals from scratch – I will now just try to use better ingredients as opposed the low fat (high sugar) options they often recommend.
Hi Bryony, I know – cereal is notoriously bad, no wonder I used to love it so much….I would sometimes eat a few bowls of frosties for my dinner when I was expecting. Poor Mabel, she must have been on such a sugar high.
I’m also confused on the milk thing, I’m going to do some reading up on it. I’m actually quite into my oat porridge though, I find a bit of sliced banana some cinnamon and chia seeds make it really tasty and not at all dull.
Fruit wise I tend to stick to apples and raspberries, I think melon is supposed to be ok too. x
I’m glad you tried the muffins – hope you like them! Good luck with the eating clean – although I haven’t given up anything I do try and follow the principles of this as much as possible. We recently visited Japan and I felt noticeably better after a few weeks of eating more fresh, small portions of fish, veg etc and fewer stodgy carbs (I do love my pasta when I’m at home!). The trip also got me onto green tea which I’m pleased about!
Looking forward to hearing how you get on Charlotte.
Thanks Katie, and thanks for the muffin recipe!
I really wish I ate fish, I can’t even stand to look at it, let alone cook it. I want to encourage Mabel though so I need to get over my fear!
I did some reading up on nutrition in prep for my wedding- I didn’t want to lose a lot of weight- just wanted to be healthier and my skin/nails/hair/teeth to look good. We definitely stopped using ready-made sauces, experimenting with seasoning. They taste delicious, plus we know exactly what we are putting into our bodies. A major change for me was increasing the amount of water I drink; a minimum of 3 litres a day plus only one (albeit massive) black coffee in the morning. My skin is so much better and I’ve noticed that I process alcohol better, so if I have a cheeky couple of glasses of wine after work of an evening, the next day I don’t feel it all (whereas I really used to) I also eat purely vegetarian lunches and WOW my energy levels are so much higher; no more mid afternoon slumps for me.
But those changes weren’t drastic and they were relatively painless and yet the changes are v obvious to me and I’m so much happier. I think like you Charlotte, I’m trying to be good most of the time, because let’s face it, life without the tasty, naughty treats just isn’t as much fun 😉 Will be reading your updates with interest on this X
Hi Elizabeth! right that’s it, I need to sort out my water issue…..off to have a glass right now in fact. 3 litres seems like such a lot though, don’t you find you always need a wee?! (sorry for the rather personal question!)
I’ve noticed that I can’t deal with alcohol anywhere near as well as I used to, I don’t drink much at all really but even a few glasses of fizz makes me feel awful the next day, perhaps upping my water intake will improve this for me too?
If you want to share any of your sauce/seasoning experience it would be much appreciated! x
At first yes, I was constantly running to the loo, but your body adjusts and then you’re wee-ing normally 😉 3 litres is two of the big Evian bottles; I sit at a desk in an air-conditioned office so I feel quite dried out half the time, so I feel like I need it. I break up the water with herbal teas so it doesn’t get too boring. But I’m pretty evangelical about the water thing, more so than WeightWatchers, which helped me lose 3 stone a couple years ago!
Seasoning – ooh a good un here- a healthy ‘salsa’ to have is mango/chilli/onion/lime/white balsamic with the secret ingredient of coriander! Makes it an excellent accompaniment to fish/chicken curry dishes. I’ll see if I can think of some more of our faves for you xx
Oooh the salsa sounds lush, I think that’s the kind of thing I need to make so James gets more “on board” with what I’m attempting, he’s open to trying new things but apart from my omelettes and sweet potato fries I’m not sure the other things have been winners really due to my lack of “flavour”
I think I will definitely aim for one big evian bottle and see if I can step it up to two! it sounds silly, but all I need to do is put one “on my desk” as it were and then I will drink it, it’s just putting it there in the first place 🙂
the website is down at the moment, but you need to look at Deliciously Ella….
http://www.deliciouslyella.co.uk
Oh yes Motty I follow Ella on instagram! amazing inspiration 🙂
What a lovely and honest post, Charlotte!
I’m like you just trying to finde a healthier way of living without having to stress about it all. Working full time with shifts on weekends and at night, I really can’t be bothered to cook something fancy. I want simple and healthy! For me it also started with small things, like getting rid of the sugar in my hot drinks. Now I regularly use agave sirup or unrefined sugar if I need it. Otherwise I am trying to include healthy oils (love coconut oil!!!), more vegetables in general and lovely smoothies in all colours and variations. I use almond milk, chia seeds and goji berries in almost all of my smoothies to add that extra bit of “health” 🙂
P.s. Charlotte, I started working out to Tracy’s dvds because of you and whenever I do it I imagine you to be just like her! Tiny, lithe, and all in all a really nice person (although the first times I worked out “with” her I swore a lot!
Thanks Anja! I’m glad you liked the post!
You are very sweet, Tracy is my favourite – she is so smiley and positive, that’s a massive compliment! 10 weeks after a baby though I’m not quite as um…lithe as I would like 🙂
I am yet to give Goji berries a try but I will, loving chia seeds though. I also need to try coconut oil in cooking, I bet it’s lovely with chicken x
2 brilliant books for clean living: ‘I quit sugar for life’ by Sarah Wilson and ‘Honestly Healthy’ by Natasha Corrett and Vicki Edgson. I also did a whole foods shop yesterday, oh it is so so easy to spend a small fortune – which I try to remind myself of when I’m tempted by a choc hob nob. Quinoa and chia seeds really help me stay full (just be careful about the quantity of both). Posts like yours and the other inspiration on the World Wide Web really helps keep the motivation levels high! Thank you!
Pleasure Mrs R, I’ve not heard of the Honestly Healthy book so thanks for the tip. I’m still getting to grips with cooking Quinoa but I do like it, I might have a go this evening in fact!
I tried quinoa for the first time lastnight, this was a bit more high maintenance than some clean dishes, but there are some good sachets available in the supermarket which take 10 mins to heat in a pan, or microwave. I added some roasted peppers, courgette and onion, and madras curry powder, stirred in a crushed garlic clove, fresh corriander, and some fresh chopped toms and celery for texture and it tastes amazing, if you like curry flavours.
It takes a bit of work to taste so good, but serve with some grilled chicken and youghurt/mint/cucumber rajita, and you have yourself a meal that your husband will also devour without asking ‘what’s next’ after hopefully!
Good luck with the rest, we’ve just started a pre holiday clean and lean regime, it helps being pregnant and knowing I’m filling the bump with goodness. Good to have a cheat day at the weekend though 😉 x
Great post! I’m a terrible binge eater. I can’t just have one of something, so I have to avoid buying treats altogether if I’m trying to be good! Wine is also a downfall. I did however manage to lose a stone before our wedding last year by doing the Fast Metabolism Diet. It took a while to get my head around it but it seems to follow the ‘clean eating’ principles. I just found the phases a little restrictive. Tonight I made these:
http://www.thelondoner.me/2013/11/triplechocofudge-avocado-cookies-gluten-free.html
Obviously they still have chocolate in so they’re not the healthiest thing ever, but I swapped the sugar for stevia and they’re pretty good considering the texture comes from avocado! Porridge with ground almonds and blueberries has me sorted for breakfast and turkey mince chilli with mixed beans and sesame chicken are also yummy for dinners. Have heard good things about cauliflower rice too so will be trying that. Have just invested in a blender to make myself feel like I’m making more of an effort… x
Siobhan those cookies sound yum, I love avocado, it’s so good for your skin.
I am the same with binge habits, I can’t just have one biscuit, I have to have 5 – hence why I simply don’t buy them. Do you find Stevia is a good replacement for sugar? I have tried the tablets to have in tea/coffee but they just didn’t seem to be sweet enough (that could be a sign of just how much sugar I used to consume!!!) x
Charlotte I’ve been using the green stevia powder in porridge / smoothies / baking and that seems to add enough sweetness for me, although must admit that I didn’t like the taste of it in tea. As a result I now have no sweetener in tea, so I guess it had a good effect! x
Ohh I love this post and all these responses and always keen to read a new recipe! I think its so right to see it as a new way of eating and be positive about it. I think I always fail if I see it as depriving myself of things I like but actually by focusing on filling up my body with things it really needs then I don’t even notice, or care, if I go without chocolate, cake or sweets. As a family thing (really useful when my children were toddlers) we have Food Dr books by the dinner table… if we’re not sure if we like something we read up on it and find out what its doing to our bodies, which in turn encourages us to cram more good foods into our meals. I was also amazed to find out how many nuts and seeds its good for us to eat so I put out a big jar of snacking nuts and seeds on the table. (We see it before we get to the biscuit jar in the cupboard!) Our aim is to try to get through it in the week instead of avoiding eating (which we associate with the biscuit tin) It’s so refreshing to aim to eat instead of deprive. That sort of guilt mentality we have with food surely can’t be helpful? I do the very same thing with a big evian bottle filled every day – means the kettle goes on a few less times!
Amanda I agree, it’s the deprivation/feeling hungry that it just so crappy and makes me fail at any kind of “diet” (even the calorie counting thing didn’t really work, if ever I went out for dinner all I could have was salad!)
We also keep nuts and seeds in the cupboard, I buy a mixture of pumpkin and sunflower as well as pistachios and almonds, I like the crunchy texture they add to other foods too. x
I was eating seriously clean before I got pregnant (following the Clean and Lean books, that couple are beautiful in so many ways, follow them on insta, they’re so happy) and I swear the body detox and health benefits (and I wasn’t even following it to the letter) helped me conceive.
It all went out the window when I found out and salad and fruit made my stomach turn! Beige safe foods were my only friend for the first 12 weeks. Trying to get back into it now as love healthy food from scratch. Hoping Flora’s going to help me as got lots of new fruits and veg in for her baby led weaning. Xx
Thanks Sophie! just followed them on instagram, have you tried any of their supplements?! I want them all!!!! I’ll check out the books too.
I had a thing for potato whilst pregnant, especially with lots of butter (!) x
I have recently started following a cleaner, healthier lifestyle and found I have much more energy and it has helped me with my problem skin – eczema and acne are not a fun combination. I’ve been using the clean and lean books by James Duigan. The books focus on cutting the CRAP – carbs, alcohol, refined sugar and processed food. I don’t drink a huge amount of alcohol but I’m not prepared to cut it out completely. He also suggests having protein such as nuts before eating fruit to help balance sugar levels. The recipes are really tasty and easy to make- the ricotta pancakes or quinoa and almond milk porridge are great breakfasts. Also argave syrup is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth and there are plenty of desserts to try.
Right that’s it Cat, I think I need to order the clean and lean book! (just started following them on instagram and very tempted by the supplements!)
I have argave but haven’t used it that much, I’m on the hunt for some dessert recipes that are quick/easy. x
For a sweet tooth craving/ v. quick dessert do you do yogurts? I buy in a couple of those organic yeo valley natural pots and whizz one of them up in the blender with a big pot of blueberries then divide into little pots and stick in the freezer. They’re handy for puddings when we want a change from … erm… normal temperature yogurt (!) and good for that late night urge for something sweet to snack on. For some reason they fool me into thinking they are sweet (my brain reads ‘ice-cream’) but actually have very little sugar at all. Blueberries are brill for you of course but also one of the fruits that are supposedly good for training your tastebuds off sugar. I just keep a stash of those in the freezer. You have to get them out about half an hour before you want to eat them. Also I read you can make most recipes with 1/3rd of the sugar the recipe states – I used to worry things wouldn’t stick properly?! so we do some nice oat crumbles, wholewheat cakes etc but just with much less sugar in. Wish I was a savory person and didn’t need desserts but that is not so!
get the book already! it’s a revelation
Oh Charlotte! I’m in love with your posts! 🙂 I started experimenting with raw and whole foods about two years ago when I realised that none of the lotions, potions, medicines and over the counter vitamins seemed to help with my hairloss (organising the wedding overseas didn’t help either). It was all about little and gentle changes (snacking more nuts and seeds, drinking more water, homemade vegetable and fruit smoothies and juices. I also discovered that buckwheat is one of the most amazing cooking ingredients and you can do so many different things with it!) and since then my skin, hair and nails have been in excellent condition. I don’t suffer now as often as before from low energy levels and feeling tired and sluggish all the time. I still have ‘bad’ days sometimes when I can sit and eat whole pack of m&s chocolate covered raisins in one go, but everyone needs a small treat from time to time 🙂
You must go on http://www.mynewroots.com and try ‘life changing bread’ and I can promise you bake it again and again because it’s soooo delicious!
Hi Justine! Thanks for the tips! also not bought buckwheat yet but I’ve heard great things about it. Oh dear M&S chocolate raisins……one of my favourite treats 🙂
It’s really interesting (and motivating!) to hear about your skin, hair and nail improvements, I’ve definitely noticed more energy already which has been great with a newborn to look after and a business to run! x
I too try to eat clean as much as possible but feel like I’ve fallen off the bandwagon a bit recently and am totally ready to get back on since I lost weight and felt so much better when I was more conscious of what I was putting in my mouth.
I always eat porridge with chia seeds, cinnamon and frozen berries (or banana) for breakfast. And often add protein powder to up my intake.
For main/evening meals we often have chilli – lean mince, tons of veg and chopped toms with chickpeas, kidney beans (any type of bean/pulse) chilli flakes and have it with brown rice or veg. Fajitas – I know tortilla wraps aren’t clean but you can make a clean filling with chicken/prawns pasata, tons of veg and I usually add turmeric, paprika and chilli flakes. And homemade guacamole (avocado, red onion, garlic, cherry tomatos, lime juice, salt and pepper – it’s amazing!) Curry – again any meat, tons of veg with turmeric, garam masala, cumin and chopped coriander.
For puddings, have you tried making banana ‘ice-cream’ ? You chop up ripe – over ripe bananas and freeze them. Then once frozen blend them and add any extra flavours (peanut butter, cocoa/cacoa powder, honey, strawberries etc) and it magically turns into soft-serve ice cream! I usually just eat it straight away but apparently you can freeze it again and it hardens so you can scoop it out. Totally guilt free ice cream!
Chia seed pudding is also another dessert we have often – you mix the seeds with any type of milk and put it in the fridge and stir every so often and it turns gelatinous. I like to mix in coconut and top with mango. Similarly, I’m hoping to try this recipe for breakfast soon as I seem to be craving something cold at the moment, especially when the weather is nice: http://passionsforfashion.dk/2014/06/11/breakfast-in-1-2-3/#comments.
I usually snack on nuts or boiled eggs as they are so portable 🙂 Hope that helps.
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