If you live in the US, you’re probably familiar with the (rather outdated) USDA food pyramid, and the recently updated version, MyPlate, both of which outline suggested “healthy” dietary guidelines. Both suggest eating relatively equal portions of grains and bread, veggies, fruit, meat and legumes, and dairy, and adhere to the suggested calorie daily intake for your age group.
Sounds easy enough, right? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
This way of thinking has been considered the standard for decades, but unfortunately is far from what we would consider healthy. In fact, it’s under these guidelines where we’ve seen astronomical increases in lifestyle and food-based illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, chronic inflammation, and more.
The biggest problem with this method of thinking is that it promotes a standard diet that is the same for everyone. It doesn’t take into account how the same foods don’t always work for different people, or that 9 out of 10 people suffer from food sensitivities or allergies.
The bottom line? There is no “one size fits all” solution to nutrition.
Here at the Conscious Cleanse, we recognize that while there is no one healthy diet that works for everyone, it’s helpful to have some guiding practices to find out what works for you and your body. Our food guidelines are all about getting back to the basics – real, whole, foods that come from nature. Fruit, non-gluten whole grains, lean meats, fish, nuts, seeds, legumes, dark leafy greens, and veggies, veggies, and more VEGGIES!
The center of the Conscious Cleanse food universe is dark leafy greens and veggies (instead of bread, grains, starches, or meat as in the USDA food pyramid.)
Take a look at a large dinner plate and, instead of thinking about vegetables as a side or garnish to a main dish, give veggies center stage. In other words, let veggies take up the vast majority of your plate, at least two thirds. Let meat, grains, or legumes be the side show, taking up only about one third of your plate.
The Conscious Cleanse is about shifting your mindset from a standardized one-size-fits-all diets to finding your perfect blueprint through intuitive eating.
Research is proving that there is no “one size fits all” approach to eating – it’s all about figuring out the foods that your body responds to best. Part of this is learning to tune into what feels good in YOUR body. We don’t count calories, instead, we shift the focus towards eating when you’re hungry and stopping when you are full.
Intuitive eating is about learning to really pay attention to how different foods make you feel. After a meal or snack, notice if your tummy is quiet and content or gassy, noisy, and crampy. Does your mind feel clear and focused, or foggy and sleepy? If a certain food doesn’t agree with you, consider an alternative. On the Conscious Cleanse you’ll learn what foods help you to thrive!
Have questions about our Conscious Cleanse eating guidelines? Let us know in the comments below. We love hearing from you!
With love,
Jo & Jules
