4 Benefits of Eating Clean

The easiest way to improve your health and lose weight is by eating clean. When you commit to eating foods that are toxin-free whole foods, great things happen such as weight loss, fuller hair, clearer skin, and better sleep. Additionally, eating more whole foods and fewer junk foods can also help prevent disease and treat chronic illnesses that you may already be struggling with. Clean eating focuses on avoiding processed, refined foods and adding more fish, nuts, fruits, vegetables and lean meats to your diet. Below are a few benefits of committing to eating clean or committing to eating whole, natural foods.

4 Benefits of Clean Eating

1. Clean Eating Reduces Inflammation

While some inflammation in the body is needed to protect your body in response to cuts or pathogens entering your body, chronic inflammation – the result of neverending stress, being overweight, or a diet high in inflammatory sugar, trans fats, and various other toxins – means that your body constantly needs to produce immune cells which can damage the body.

Chronic inflammation has been associated with an increased risk of:

• arthritis
• diabetes
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• osteoporosis
• cancer

A diet high in toxins, trans fats, salt, sugar, and high fructose corn syrup promotes excessive inflammation, a diet rich in clean foods can help reduce it and its harmful impact on the body.

2. Clean Eating Leads to Weight Loss

According to the CDC, more than one-third of adults in the U.S., or 78.6 million, are obese. Health conditions associated with excess weight include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and most cancers.

Most people lose weight when they switch to a clean foods diet. Consuming mostly whole foods means you take in fewer, more nutrient-dense calories even if you eat more food, more often. Plus eating a diet of whole foods packed with vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants help crush cravings, speed up a slow metabolism, and allow you to lose weight without feeling hungry or deprived.

Many health conditions associated with obesity are preventable, even reversible, by adhering to a diet of healthy, whole, natural foods. This is a result of getting more nutrients from your food but also because when you eat processed and packaged foods you are ingesting preservatives, artificial sweeteners, sugar, chemicals from the packaging and pesticides.

3. Clean Eating Boosts Your Immune System & Energy Level

Get a powerful boost to your immune system by infusing your body with vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that naturally occur in whole foods. Combined these nutrients halt cell damage and inflammation while supporting your immune system by creating T cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes – the white blood cells that act as your body’s first line of defense against disease. A strong immune system helps your body fight off disease and infections. It also helps you recover more quickly if you do get sick.

How often do you feel like taking an afternoon nap? Or simply feel sluggish during the day?

Eating clean can help boost your energy levels especially during that afternoon slump. Processed carbohydrates especially sweets give you an artificial boost in energy by spiking your blood sugar level. The problem is that you eventually “crash” which not only levels you feeling tired and sluggish but also stimulates cravings for more processed carbohydrates. Fiber-rich whole foods and lean proteins provide a steadier, more consistent source of energy that boost and balance your energy levels naturally throughout the day.

4. Clean Eating Makes You Happier & Your Skin Healthier

When you eat healthier foods you consume more skin-loving healthy fats and antioxidants which results in beautiful, glowing skin. It also helps your skin stay strong and resilient.

Even though processed foods don’t necessarily cause acne or other skin conditions they can make existing conditions worse. Foods with high amounts of sodium and trans fats can increase sebum production which can clog pores and may lead to acne. If you adhere to a clean diet, you minimize your exposure to skin-sabotaging foods and give your skin beautifying perks that go beyond clearing up a few zits. Many wholes, natural foods contain powerful phytochemicals that combat skin-damaging free radicals that contribute to tired, dull-looking skin. Other whole foods contain nutrients that are good for your scalp and that can strengthen hair.

Lastly, after a few weeks of sticking to a clean eating diet, you may find yourself feeling happier with fewer dips in energy levels. One study discovered that people who ate seven or more servings of produce a day are happier and have better mental health than those who don’t.

Final Thoughts

There are many great benefits to sticking to a healthy diet of whole foods. Processed and packaged foods come with dangerous toxins, sugars, preservatives and a myriad of other harmful ingredients that lead to obesity, health conditions, low energy, and a decreased immune system. Improve your health, your weight, and your happiness by eating clean.

Watch this patient testimonial to learn about all the prescription medications she was able to stop taking after losing weight with our clean eating diet program.

Calla Slimspa Medical Weight Loss Center in Orlando

About the Author – Suzanne Gil, M.D.

Dr. Suzanne Gil obtained advanced training in bariatric (weight loss medicine). She opened Calla Slimspa in 2008 when the need for weight-related assistance became a huge priority. Dr. Gilis a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) and dedicates 100% of her professional time to helping as many people as possible achieve their weight loss goals and improve their health. She completed her residency at Orlando Regional Medical Center and is a Board Certified Pediatrician.