Clean eating and the challenge of understanding it
 
 When I talk with people regarding eating clean one of the first things is ‘so you’re all low carb right?’ and ‘you’re going to tell me I have to eat plain and boring?’ and internally I groan, so let’s clear up a few things and explain some of the reasoning behind eating clean or embarking on a clean eating challenge. 
 
 Firstly, you came to me to ask for nutritional advice and I have no reason to lie to you, so I’m not trying to be mean when I tell you that lots of fizzy drinks is crap and crap for you, so if you want to eat clean come committed.
 
 Secondly, most people who want to get involved with a clean eating challenge are generally carrying excess body fat and are unhappy about it, the majority want to lose weight, so I am not saying you can’t eat bread ever again, I’m just saying for the purpose of weight loss, no bread will be a great help.
 
 So let’s get into some of the reasons why, it’s not low carb, or depriving you of carbs, in comparison to protein and fat, carbs have a lower calorie value, so with 100g of each carbs are the lowest calorie value macro nutrient, so I’m not having tiny portions of carbs they just don’t have the calorie value of the protein and fats which I consume. Now when most people come to a clean eating challenge wanting to lose weight we try to cut out bread, pasta and rice because in the western diet these carbs are very prominent and have a low micronutrient value, so people come into the challenge with high carbs, low quality protein and fats and very low vitamins and minerals, so we switch up the white carbs for veggies and fruits. This ramps up the micronutrients, increase fibre intake and lowers the GI value to establish more level blood sugar levels. After we get the good carbs in the next element is quality protein and fats, taking away the processed and spending that little bit more for organic, free range and all round higher quality foods. 
 The approach is ultimately very simple, cut out the crap, if its packaged, refined, has a long ingredients list then it’s not for you. Taking raw unrefined produce and building your skills in the kitchen is what it’s all about and will give you results of better body composition, stable energy levels, improved performance, better immune function, better quality sleep and so much more.
 
 …and speaking personally, being able to turn out quality meals from your kitchen makes you uber cool!