What is “Clean Eating”?

Over the last few years, nutritional trends have grown in numbers, as more and more people are becoming aware of the positive advantages that a healthy and balanced diet can have. The term "clean eating" is frequently used in this context. The basic principle of ​​this nutritional concept is the avoidance of ‘convenience’ products and the elimination of industrially processed foods, artificial additives and preservatives, as well as refined sugars in our diet. Instead, we should consume food as naturally as possible by using whole-grain products, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fish and meat. To starve is not the point of the “clean eating” diet as it does not focus on calorie intake, but on long-term dietary changes. Divided into three main and two small secondary meals, the diet focuses on the quality of food and its preparation. Above all, the “clean eating” concept encourages not only a more conscious type of eating, but also a lasting change in lifestyle, such as regular exercise.

It is for this reason that I consider “clean eating” a sensible diet trend, as its principles correspond to the advice that I give to my patients. In order to ensure a high nutrient value from your ingredients, I recommend regional and seasonal produce, with careful preparation. Your daily diet should be based on vegetables and fruits, whereby I strongly recommend using more vegetables than fruits. According to the idea of “​​clean eating”, you should also consume organic meat and fish products. I would also recommend to reduce your daily salt intake and instead season your food with fresh herbs and healthy oils such as rapeseed, linseed, walnut and olive oil.

Another cornerstone of “clean eating” is a sufficient intake of liquid. You should generally drink about 1.5 to 2 liters of water or unsweetened herbal tea each day, while avoiding excessive consumption of sugary beverages, alcohol and coffee. In my opinion, “clean eating” offers many healthy advantages. A more careful selection and preparation of our food makes for a very vitamin and nutrient-rich diet. And besides, the avoidance of simple carbohydrates, refined sugars and inferior fats noticeably improves our well-being after only a short time. Even if most of our New Year’s resolutions may have already been forgotten, there is no time like now to make changes to our diet, to do our bodies good and prepare them for spring.

Yours,

Nelly Kreß

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