Clean eating generally refers to a longevity and healthy diet that is NOT the ‘SAD Diet’ or the Standard North American Diet. The Sad Diet typically consists of ultra-processed foods, added sugar, fat, and sodium. Consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and lean protein is greatly lacking in this diet.Balanced Plates:Balanced eating goes together with clean eating because ‘you can have too much of a good thing’. Balance has to do with managing the amount of ‘macronutrients’ in your diet and on your plate. A ‘balanced plate’, if you were looking from above, might consist of 50% fruit or vegetables, 25% starchy foods (like grains and root vegetables) and 25% protein.Balanced Macronutrients:Macronutrients include carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Many trendy diets base their recommendations on modifying macronutrient intake or portions. What are these macronutrients? Carbohydrates:Carbohydrates (Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Beans!) are a main fuel source and nutrient source for the body. They are the exclusive fuel source for the brain. Carbohydrates provide food for our delicate microbiome (gut bacteria) that perform many crucial functions. The fibers found in most carbohydrates help to aid in detoxification through binding fats and toxins and through improving the quality of elimination (pooping!)Protein:Proteins (Meats, Fish, Beans, Dairy, Eggs ) form the backbone of important hormones. They play a role in important functions such as the formation of your hemoglobin (your blood), thyroid hormone (your internal thermostat) and insulin production (your internal sugar control). Proteins also literally build your muscle, connective tissues etc. Protein deficiency can result in grey, dull skin, acne, hair loss, hair thinning, poor concentration, low energy, fatigue and easy bruising. Proteins break down/provide amino acids that are crucial to many functions including detoxification and metabolism.Functions of Proteins:Fats:Fats (Animal Protein, Fish, [...]