When it comes to nourishing your body, clean eating is all about getting back to basics — choosing foods that are as close to their natural state as possible.
What Makes a Food “Clean”?
1. They look like they did in nature
Think of an apple. Whether it’s on a tree or in your fruit bowl, it still looks, smells and tastes the same. Now compare that to bread, chips, or pasta — they’ve been heavily processed to become what they are. Clean foods, on the other hand, are simple. They may have been lightly prepared or cooked, but they still resemble where they came from.
2. No fake flavours or coatings
Clean foods don’t need artificial flavours, salty coatings or sugary glazes to taste good. Their natural flavour is enough. Fresh prawns, a juicy steak, perfectly poached eggs, seasonal greens or ripe, sweet berries are delicious just as they are. Real food doesn’t need to be disguised.
3. They don’t last forever
If your tomatoes still look perfect after two weeks in the fridge, something’s not right. Real food spoils — it wilts, browns or grows mould. That’s normal and natural. Clean foods don’t rely on artificial preservatives to keep them looking “fresh” for months.
4. The ingredient list is short — or non-existent
Truly clean foods are simple. Kale, asparagus, eggs, chicken, or coconut oil don’t need a label. And when there are ingredients — like in natural yoghurt, cheese, or oatcakes — there should only be a few, and all of them easy to recognise and pronounce.
5. Sugar doesn’t top the list
Flip over the packet. Ingredients are listed by quantity — so if sugar (or any of its many disguises) appears near the top, it’s not clean. Look for foods with little to no added sugar — your body and energy levels will thank you.
6. They make your body feel good
Clean foods don’t leave you bloated, gassy, or sluggish. Your body is an amazing guide — if a food makes you feel uncomfortable or tired after eating, it’s probably not serving you.
7. They keep you satisfied
When you enjoy a colourful salad with protein and healthy fats like avocado, nuts or olive oil, you feel nourished and full. Compare that to how you feel after a greasy takeaway or a heavy processed meal — tired, bloated, and craving sugar. Clean foods fuel you with steady energy and lasting satisfaction.
Maybe Mick Jagger was right when he sang “I can’t get no satisfaction” — he probably wasn’t eating clean!