3 Simple Tips to Start Your Clean Eating Journey
Clean eating isn’t about restrictions, calorie counting, or following a rigid plan—it’s about choosing real, minimally processed foods that fuel your body and make you feel good. When you focus on fresh ingredients, you naturally cut out the unnecessary additives and empty calories that come with highly processed foods. If you’re ready to make the shift, here are three simple ways to get started!
1. Take a Grocery Cart Check
Next time you're grocery shopping, take a look at what’s filling your cart. Is it mostly fresh produce, lean proteins, dairy, and whole grains? Or is it packed with boxes, bags, and processed snacks? A simple rule of thumb: the more single-ingredient foods you have (think apples, spinach, eggs, salmon, quinoa), the cleaner your meals will be.
Whole grains are an easy place to start when transitioning to a cleaner diet, and quinoa is a great choice. It’s packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, and the best part? It cooks in about 15 minutes—just like rice but with more staying power! Swap it in for white rice or pasta to add more nutrition and texture to your meals.
2. Upgrade Your Snack Game
We’ve all been there—rushing from work to errands to kids’ activities and grabbing whatever snack is within reach (hello, bag of chips or sugar-loaded granola bar!). But those quick fixes often lead to energy crashes. Instead, try making one new clean snack each week that fuels you rather than slows you down.
No-bake energy bites are a great place to start. With ingredients like oats, nut butter, honey, and dark chocolate chips, they take just a few minutes to prep and can be stored for the week. Try Krogers no bake peanut butter pumpkin bites . Other easy options? Greek yogurt with honey and nuts, sliced veggies with hummus, or apple slices with almond butter. Small swaps like these can make a big difference in how you feel throughout the day!
3. Try a Meatless Monday
Cutting back on meat—even just once a week—can be a great way to explore new flavors, increase your vegetable intake, and add variety to your meals. If the idea of a plant-based dinner feels intimidating, start with hearty ingredients like beans, lentils, and whole grains like quinoa. They provide plenty of protein and fiber to keep you full and satisfied.
For an easy and filling meal, try a quinoa and black bean bowl loaded with roasted veggies, avocado, and a drizzle of lime dressing. Or make a comforting veggie stir-fry with tofu and brown rice. You might be surprised how flavorful and satisfying meatless meals can be!
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re looking for inspiration, Kroger’s website has tons of clean eating recipes and expert advice from their dietitians. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your meals, they have great resources to keep you on track. As you embark on this journey, think about how you feel after you try these recipes. Chances are you will be proud of yourself for taking these steps and will be encouraged to keep going! Happy (clean) eating!
