Check out my progress on Operation: Clean Eating
Today, I came to two realizations: my post-graduation beach trip is precisely 8 weeks away, and my inner granola monster has gotten a bit out of control lately. Accordingly, I have resolved to embrace clean eating principles from between the dates of March 22 and May 17. To me, “clean eating” involves the following principles:
- Emphasize lean (vegetarian) proteins (Sweet—another excuse to load up on tofu.)
- Limit added sugars (Guess this means granola is no longer a dietary staple?)
- Consume fruits and vegetables in abundance (no problem!)
- Focus on whole grains (Get ready for some serious brown rice action, people).
As resources for my dietary alterations, I’ll be consulting my ever-expanding Tosca library. In addition, I plan on consulting exrx.net for a few new toning moves, and I’ll continue with my daily running regimen.
I won’t be posting “before” and “after” photos or providing specific measurements as other bloggers have done, because that’s probably not healthy for a girl with my history. Nonetheless, I’ll be sure to update you on my general progress:)
What does “clean eating” mean to you?
So, let’s see how Day 1 of Operation: Clean Eating went down, shall we?
Eating more protein for a vegetarian typically translates into one thing: soy, soy, and more soy. While I love me some tofu, I try to keep my intake moderate due to its inconclusive health effects, not to mention its potential impact on my hypothyroidism. Today’s daily dose of soy came at breakfast in the form of scrambled tofu. Glorious.
Afterward, I headed out into the sunshine to sell tickets on behalf of the dining committee, for another berry tripping event. Upon my return, I made good use of some strawberries that I had purchased at an on-campus fruit bar. Berries ‘n cream, clean eating style;)
Once dinner-time rolled around, I compiled a veggie plate, featuring my all time favorites: black beans, sweet potato, broccoli, and avocado. I cooked the black beans/onions with a few spoonfuls of salsa for a little kick.
So, how did I do? I’ll venture to say that Day 1 was a success…although some evening snacking is likely. Enjoy your evening!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
Awesome challenge for yourself. That month Hangry Heather and I did the Cleaner Life challenge was one of the hardest and most rewarding months. I felt SO much better all around. I should tackle this again!
What a yummy day! Clean Eating in my book means focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables and less on processed foods. Have fun with your CE
I think you’re eating is already sparkling clean already. I don’t see too many junky foods on B-Hut, ever! I hope millet bread=clean eating
Hmmm, I’m not sure what I’d consider clean eating. I don’t think granola is “dirty eating
”
But seriously…granola is like crack around here. Good luck with the challenge
“black beans, sweet potato, broccoli, and avocado”?!
LOOVE!
Oh, and btw – amazing challenge, girl!
I only think you´re already a healthy eater… But anyhow!
Have a great week!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
I’m not sure how much this deviates from other days
Which means basically that you are always a clean eater!
Sweet potato with guac is a genius combo.
oooooh i love this!
I need to try your tofu scramble recipe asap! Ive been looking for a tasty one!
hey clean eating buddy! how timely!
clean eating is really fun, although I don’t see much difference to what I’ve been already eating. I just find her recipes really in-tune with my favorite meals! 
Have fun!
i agree with allie in that you are already perhaps the cleanest eater i know! but i can always support sweet potatoes + avocado
(LOVE granola! i’m pretty good at sticking to a serving at a time by leaving the serving size cup in the container and using it to scoop. hopefully there will be still room for some of the crunchy goodness in your clean mission? a completely granola-less life is still worth living but would be far less fun
)
Did someone say “sweet potatoes, black beans, and avocado?” You beckon, I come. GREAT dinner and day of eats!
And I agree that you seem to be a perpetual clean eater — though I know how little things (like granola) can sneak in and accumulate.
Are you serious!? You have probably the cleanest diet (that isn’t extreme or borderline orthorexic) that I have ever seen in the blog world ~ I don’t think in the two years I have read every post on this blog (okay, now I really do sound like a stalker) I have *ever* seen a morsel of ‘junk’ pass your lips. Perhaps you might have eaten more granola than you would like, but try to put this in perspective ~ I think the blog world often distorts our visions of what is ‘bad’ and ‘good’, ‘clean’ and, well…’dirty?’ It’s not as if you went and ate a plate of fries or seven, now is it?
It saddens me that so many *healthy* bloggers seem to be embarking on these challenges when they are gorgeous and perfect as they are. Those pictures you posted of yourself and Seth on spring break do NOT show a girl who needs to tone up and certainly don’t show someone who needs to lose weight. If anything, perhaps your eats are ‘too’ clean and you’re still *very* slim.
Please don’t take this as an attack, but also don’t let this become an obsession. You looked fantastic in your bikini when you posted that shot and to be honest I don’t think you have anything to worry about on the beach. Confidence and beauty aren’t measured by the amount of granola you eat…they come from within.
<3
~Jessica~
Yum, I love tofu
I agree with you on eating it in moderation though. I feel like there’s a new study on soy that contradicts the old ones every other week!
Cleaning eating to me is less processed foods and less sugary snack. I have a huge sweet tooth!
Added sugar is a big one for me, too. I guess I don’t need to drench EVERYTHING in agave!
Sweet potato + guac sounds like a great combo! I’ll have to keep that one in mind!
Love sweet potatoes!
Great idea to top them with guacamole – so yummy!
ahh granola is so addicting! i could eat it all day long!
to me, clean eating is about eating real foods as opposed to processed foods. so lots of fruits and veggies, greek yogurt, oats, nuts, seeds, beans, etc.
oh, and in regards to jessica’s comment above, i just wanted to say that clean eating isn’t always about toning up. its mainly about feeling healthy and energized, and its beneficial even if you are thin and don’t need to lose weight. i have ODed on granola before, and all that sugar doesn’t make me feel too great afterwards!
I get so confused with the tofu issue… I love it and could eat it at every meal. Seitan is good too
I want to cut out artificial sweeteners from my diet, but that’s about as far as I would go… My diet is far from perfect, but a perfect diet isn’t what I am aiming for. All about balance and moderation.
Dinner looks delish!
Yummy foods!
The guac on the sweet potato sounds like a perfect pair!
Haha, you don’t need advice or books for clean eating…you are the cleanest eater I’ve met! And you eat food of all colors.
Most people would actually think granola is healthy food (well, it’s so much healthier than tons of other snacks I can think of…)
I’m so glad I ran across your clog. i’m going to start a 30 day clean eating challenge on Monday (after a weekend trip) and to me it means eating whole foods (whole grains, fruits, veggies, lean proteins) that are as close to the way they are in nature as possible. good luck!
I love the ‘clean eating’ idea.
I am also inlove with the sweet potato & guac. thinger you did-so yummy!
Totally agree with shubox and allie and jessica on how well you eat already!
Tyler, I am aware of the principles of and motivations behind clean eating.
My comment was a specific response to the mention of a ‘beach trip’ and the sentence ‘I plan on consulting exrx.net for a few new toning moves, and I’ll continue with my daily running regimen.’ To me,this implies a lack of confidence in one’s body and the desire to eat cleaner to lose weight, which as Caroline mentioned is not appropriate given her history with anorexia.
~Jessica~
Hey, comment from a lurker here…
I agree with just about everyone else that it’s impossible to eat much healthier than you already do… as you say yourself these ‘rules’ are things you already love/do. I agree with Jessica that you should be cautious about taking this to far, bordering on orthorexia, however you seem to be well aware of this danger. Clean eating is not necessarily about dieting or toning up of course, but if it’s looking good on the beach that you’re after, you needn’t worry. Frankly, in the last couple of pictures you posted I thought you looked the best you have ever done, way healthier (compared to pictures of you a year ago) and positively glowing. Gosh this sounds creepy but just trying to say I’m really happy for you and I think you look great (and eat yummy foods!) just the way you are.
Take care,
DameNoire
ps. you inspired me to try wheatgerm over my oats this morning – so far I am loving it!
I eat a lot of soy a well and am concerned about the hormonal effects. I have read though, that fermented soy products (soy sauce and tempeh) don’t have the same potentially negative impacts, and they are more digestible. I have been experimenting with marinating and baking tempeh with great results!
Always a good reminder that sometimes we need to get back to the basics. I think having the CSA has helped me do that because with sooooo many fruits and veggies on hand I feel compelled to eat them over buying anything packaged…ok minus cereal boy I do love that stuff
you are such an inspiration!! do you only run – u may have this covered but i am new to your blog. anywho — i’ll be checking in here as this healthy eating (clean) is what I am trying very hard to maintain. along with working out with MM21. keep inspiring!!
good idea girl…im looking to polish up my eating too…im pretty good for the most part, but i want to reduce the number of bars i eat on work days. sometimes its hard to find the time to eat though so they are pretty necessary. still, im going to commit to making a serious effort. i have a longer deadline than yours, you see i have this whole wedding thing coming up…
i am SO GLAD you posted this. i am seriously going to do the exact same thing. things have gotten a bit…errrr out of balance lately. thanks for giving me a bit of inspiration and determining THIS is the day it begins!!!