The Problem With Clean Eating: Why It's All About Balance

So what is the problem? The problem is the recategorisation of what essentially is how, as humans, we were born to fuel ourselves and the off-putting nature and limitations that calling it 'clean eating' brings up.

As Squirrel Sisters you may be surprised to see us write about "Clean Eating" being a problem, but we wanted to address the limitations and problems that can arise from using this term and discuss alternative approaches (that we prefer) to eating culture.

When we googled the definition of Clean Eating we came up with this: Clean eating is a deceptively simple concept. Rather than revolving around the idea of ingesting more or less of specific things (for instance, fewer calories or more protein), the idea is more about being mindful of the food's pathway between its origin and your plate. So basically, it encourages the idea of eating wholesome, nutritious foods, which are in the most natural state they can be as opposed to foods that are processed and full of additives.

A great way to live when you look at it like that!

Part of the reason that we set out on a mission to change the way that people viewed 'healthy' foods is to encourage people to eat well and enjoy whole, natural foods because it makes them feel good. We believe that we're part of a movement which helps people do this easily, if you've tried recipes from Hemsley & Hemsley, Madeleine Shaw and many of the other 'clean-eating' chefs out there you'll know just how delicious food that is good for you can taste.

So what is the problem? The problem is the recategorisation of what essentially is how, as humans, we were born to fuel ourselves and the off-putting nature and limitations that calling it 'clean eating' brings up. It's resulted in people eating spoonfuls of coconut oil, replacing yoghurts with pots of nut butter, and/or becoming too obsessed with what they're putting in their mouths and not giving their bodies enough fuel.

Health is just as much about mental wellbeing. By stipulating that someone 'eats clean' implies someone else 'eats dirty' and although we avoid highly processed foods cleverly marketed to get you to buy them (generally full of rubbish, making you feel awful) we believe there are enough pressures in life before adding the fact that you need to live a totally 'clean' life!

We both try and eat a very wholesome and nutritious diet... because we've made the personal choice that it makes us feel much better when we do. BUT we're also only human and once in a while Gracie does eat a whole Dominos pizza and Sophie will eat much more Haagen Dazs than stated as a 'portion'.

Just because you're not 'skinny' or don't follow a strict diet in some form or another doesn't mean you're not healthy. It's about nourishing your body which includes your mind and not creating more stress than you already have! After all, it's good for the soul to have a 'little bit of what you fancy' so you should do just that. Listen to your body and trust your gut.

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