Weight loss diets: Four things to consider before eating clean

A clean diet involves eating whole, unprocessed foods and lean meats

Clean eating is a form of dieting that focuses on consuming whole foods that are minimally or not processed at all and are as close to their natural form as they can be. Starting to eat clean can be an easy and effective way to lose weight and boost your health. It also means that you will consume less processed foods and will be preparing healthier meals at home saving you a lot of money in the long run.

Clean eating involves eating lean protein, carbs and fats that are good for you, eating small portions of fresh fruits and vegetables about six times a day. While doing this you also need to drink a lot of water and do regular exercise. This will increase your metabolism making it fat burning.

Clean eating, however, has some negative side effects. Before you start your plan consider the following:

1. Constipation problems

When eating healthy you are probably increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. While starting out go easy on the produce to give your digestive system time to adjust to your new eating habits. A significant increase in fibre from vegetables and beans might bring about some bowel changes like loose stool.

To normalise your bowel movement, reduce your intake of fruits and vegetables for a few days and then increase them gradually. Drinking less water than is recommended can lead to constipation. You will need to drink about two litres of water a day since water will sweep the fibre through your system.

2. Accidental weight gain

Most health gurus claim that eating clean will help you lose weight. Contrary to popular belief, it can make you put on more weight than intended. This happens because you might be consuming more calories now than you did before.

When you sauté everything you make in coconut oil and probably dip your apple slices in almond butter or drink smoothies all the time, you can end up putting on weight since these foods are filled with calories, sugar and fat. A gluten-free or dairy-free meal still has calories even if it is a little healthier. Avoid eating too many snack substitutes which are all still processed and often carry a lot of calories. Always go for the whole foods option.

Smoothies are a great way to eat unprocessed foods

3. Unsustainable plan

One side effect of eating healthy is isolating yourself from your friends and places you used to go to because you believe you will be tempted to fall back into your old eating habits. You might also get bored with your new diet. To prevent this from happening, have a plan that they can sustain you in the long run.

4. Excessive gas production

Cruciferous vegetables; vegetables of the family Brassicaceae like cauliflower, cabbage, kale, garden cress, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and green leafy vegetables are usually filled with nutrients and are known for their cancer prevention properties. These vegetables, however, also produce a lot of gas and can lead to stomach cramps and bloating.

While preparing these vegetables, it is advisable to add mushrooms, pepper and broccoli to reduce gas production.

Before embarking on this diet, consult your doctor and get his recommendations. Listen to your body and how it is responding to the new diet.