Most Frequently Asked Q's Answered by a Real Life Dietitian

I get emails and comments asking a lot of questions about clean eating that I have no idea how to answer because I'm not certified in anything food related- I'm just a total nerd who loves to look at data, read research, and experiment in the kitchen. SO when I was at the happiest reunion of my life last week in ATL I forced convinced one of my college franz Carolyn, who is also a real life Registered Nutrition Dietitian, to answer some of these questions.

Bonus: she is hilarious and really needs to have her own blog. For now you can check out her website that has informational videos and services. She specializes in weight management for men and women with a focus on real, unprocessed foods (umm hello yes!) and offers all kinds of services like cooking classes, nutrition counseling, grocery store tours, or you can go to her Battalion Boot Camp class (scary!). Check out here services here. AND she's on TV just look:

Now onto the questions:

Q: What kind of meats should I be eating?

CB: I do think that meat is a place to splurge rather than save. Organic meats will be free of hormones and antibiotics which is great, but to ensure the highest quality you want to look for pasture-raised (for any meat) or grass-fed (for beef). This is NOT the same as "free range" or "cage free".

Animals raised on pasture have healthier fats, including a fatty acid called CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) which can actually help to reduce stored body fat. CLA can also be found in grass-fed dairy and butter. This is how I would rank quality of meats:

1. Organic and pasture-raised/grass-fed
2. Pasture-raised/Grass-fed (non-organic)
3. Organic (non pasture-raised)
4. Antibiotic- and Hormone-free (don't buy anything less than this)

Ed note: I am writing all of this down and taking it to the grocery store this weekend.

What kind of seasonings are clean??

CB: Most seasonings are "clean" as long as they are pure and not blends. Example would be taco  or ranch dressing seasoning packets - those often have MSG and other junky ingredients. You're better off buying the individual ingredients and making your own blend to store in a jar. 

Ed note: You can find my recipe for taco seasoning here

What should I eat before I exercise?

CB: The best pre-workout snacks are high in carbohydrates and low in fiber, fat, and protein. The carbohydrates are going to provide an immediate energy source for your exercise since their digestion won't be slowed down by fiber, fat, or protein. Examples include bananas, melon, toast with jelly, and graham crackers. You'll ideally consume this snack 30 minutes to an hour before exercise. Test your tolerance to see what foods work best - everyone is different!

Can I eat dessert slash WHAT CAN I EAT FOR DESSERT????

CB: Good news - technically you can eat any kind of dessert you want! With dessert it's important to remember that no food is completely off limits. Restriction/deprivation can often lead to intense cravings so it's important not to eliminate any foods you truly enjoy. That being said, you do want to limit refined sugars as much as possible because they can be addictive on a physiological level (i.e. birthday cake once every few months is okay but donuts every Friday at work... not so much). Some "clean" dessert options include dark chocolate (70% cacao or greater), berries, homemade granola sweetened with honey, and dried fruit. 

What's the deal with snack bars? Can I have energy bars? Protein bars? Energy gel? WHAT IS ALL THIS???

CB: Here ya go:

See more of Carolyn's informational videos here.

Want more information on weight management? Hit up Carolyn's website!

Tell me: what other questions about clean eating do you have? Do you eat snack bars and if so what kind? What is your favorite pre-workout snack?

Linking up today at WOW, Weigh In Wednesday, Humpday BlogHop