Happy New Year! Have you made any resolutions? Two of the most common resolutions are to lose weight and to eat healthier, but this is easier said than done for many people. In fact, by the time March is upon us these resolutions are typically thrown out the window.
Clean eating isn’t eating bowls of kale and drinking only smoothies throughout the day. It’s also not a trip to your local Whole Foods and spending your entire wallet on clean products. Clean eating is a lifestyle that focuses on consuming minimally processed foods (otherwise known as whole foods). Think of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins that are found in their purest form. The key is to eat foods that are anti-inflammatory, gut-friendly, and ultimately will make your body thank you.
Though clean eating and living out a healthier lifestyle may seem like an impossible task by the time January 21st rolls around, there are store substitutes you can make that will aid your health journey. Listed below are some places to purchase clean foods that don’t require you to shop at Whole Foods.
- Walmart
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Surprisingly enough, Walmart carries a variety of food that classifies as clean. Besides providing conventional and organic produce, Walmart offers a great protein selection. For instance, if you’re someone who eats beef, there is a ground beef that is not only organic but grass-fed. If you’re ovo-vegetarian, your best option for eggs would be Vital Farms pasteurized eggs. Of course, vegans aren’t left out in this category since Walmart sells some of the cleanest frozen and canned vegetables. Organic legumes such as canned chickpeas, black beans, and frozen peas are available throughout the store.
- Sprouts
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Think of Sprouts as Whole Foods’ inexpensive cousin. Most things that you see at Whole Foods can be found within Sprouts at a cheaper price. This is one of the best places to stock up on supplements and superfoods, especially during January when there are tons of sales on these products. If you’re into collagen—a protein that benefits the skin, joints, and gut—Sprouts sells a variety of the Vital Proteins collagen line. This includes the collagen powder to put into smoothies, flavored water beverages, latte powders, and collagen shots. Sprouts also carries two of the cleanest multivitamin brands: Ancient Nutrition and Garden of Life. These brands provide the purest ingredients that will benefit your body. As a reminder supplements are made to support what you’re eating. In other words, it’s meant to give a boost to any area you may be lacking in (e.g., such as lacking in Zinc or Vitamin B12). At the end of the day, your body prefers taking in these vitamins and minerals through whole foods.
- Aldi
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Other than selling their own array of grass-fed organic meat, Aldi offers a selection of clean products. This is one of the best locations to stash up on snacks. If you’re a fan of coconut, there are coconut crisps in a variety of flavors such as salted caramel and chocolate. If you’re in the mood for jerky, Aldi provides grass-fed jerky that doesn’t include any artificial flavors. Though these products aren’t considered whole foods, they are made with clean ingredients that don’t include inflammatory and harmful products such as cane sugar, canola oil, and dyes.
- Publix
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Publix is known for their BOGO deals. This is an advantage that none of the other stores have. This grocery store also has an app to get more deals on clean foods such as non-dairy milk (e.g., Califia Farms, Oatly, etc.), tomato sauces, and yogurt. Utilize these when shopping around and at checkout simply put in your phone number to receive the benefits. Your wallet will thank you!
Something to keep in mind as you go on this journey: be kind to your body, don’t pressure yourself and don’t think that a certain size equates to beauty. You are beautifully and wonderfully made! May your goal be to feel more comfortable in your own skin and to embrace a healthier lifestyle for a clearer and happier mind.