Stop Calling Food “Clean”
The term “clean” in reference to food has become ubiquitous in the health and wellness industry, and I want urge you to PLEASE stop calling food “clean.” Doing so implies that there are also “dirty” foods. This is binary thinking, a sign of privilege, and promotes orthorexia and diet culture.
A big part of my mission is to help people eat food that makes them feel their best. This may be because it’s nutrient dense and/or because it brings pleasure, has a connection to culture/community, or nourishes in some other way. It does not need to be moralized with catchy terms that pigeon hole it into black-or-white categories.
While I believe in being intentional about what we put in and on our bodies, our intentions can change depending on where we are on our journey, what’s currently happening in our lives, and what food is available. There is no clean or dirty, and caring for yourself means allowing for flexibility in the choices you make.
Stress and shame about what we eat only serve to undermine to our wellbeing. You may eat something and later realize it caused an undesired reaction in your body, brought on negative feelings, or had another undesirable effect. This is neutral information that you can use to make informed decisions moving forward. You have the power to make informed decisions, and you also have the ability to offer yourself grace and understanding when things aren’t perfect.
None of this is to say that we should ignore our broken food systems and the damage they do to our health. There is power in voting with your fork and supporting individuals and companies who produce food that aligns with your values. There’s work to be done so that everyone has access to fresh and nutritious food. Food shaming pulls focus away from what’s important — supporting ourselves and each other so that we have the energy to create a better way.
Always rooting for you,
g