
Nourish your body with simple, flavorful meals made from real, whole foods.
"Clean eating" doesn't have to mean boring, complicated, or restrictive. At its heart, it's about choosing foods in their most natural state and fueling your body with the nutrients it needs to thrive. This guide is packed with simple, flavorful recipes that celebrate the taste of real food and make clean eating an enjoyable and sustainable lifestyle.
The Principles of a "Clean" Recipe
What makes these recipes "clean"? They all follow a few core principles:
- Whole-Food Focused: The ingredients are things you can recognize—vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains.
- No Added Sugars: Sweetness comes naturally from fruits or vegetables, not from refined sugars.
- Healthy Fats: Fats are sourced from nourishing ingredients like avocado, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
- Simple & Flavorful: Flavor comes from herbs, spices, and the ingredients themselves, not from processed sauces or additives.
Clean Eating Breakfasts
Start your day with a meal that provides stable, lasting energy.
Perfect Avocado Toast with a Poached Egg
Why it's clean: A balanced masterpiece of healthy fats from avocado, high-quality protein from the egg, and slow-release carbs and fiber from whole-grain bread.
Ingredients:
- 1 slice of whole-grain or sourdough bread, toasted
- 1/2 ripe avocado
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp white vinegar (for poaching)
- Toppings: red pepper flakes, everything bagel seasoning, fresh chives
Instructions:
- To poach the egg, bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer. Add vinegar. Crack the egg into a small bowl, then gently slip it into the water. Cook for 3-4 minutes for a runny yolk.
- While the egg cooks, mash the avocado directly onto the toasted bread. Season with salt and pepper.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the poached egg from the water and place it on top of the avocado toast.
- Garnish with your favorite toppings and serve immediately.
Antioxidant Berry Smoothie Bowl
Why it's clean: This bowl is packed with micronutrients and antioxidants from the berries and spinach. It has no added sugar, relying on the fruit for natural sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 large handful of fresh spinach
- Toppings: chia seeds, sliced almonds, unsweetened coconut flakes
Instructions:
- In a high-speed blender, combine the frozen berries, banana, almond milk, and spinach.
- Blend until thick and creamy, like soft-serve. Use a tamper or scrape down the sides as needed.
- Pour the thick smoothie into a bowl.
- Arrange your favorite toppings on top and enjoy with a spoon.
Clean Eating Lunch & Dinner
These satisfying main courses are perfect for meal prep or a fresh weeknight dinner.
Mediterranean Quinoa Power Bowl
Why it's clean: A complete meal in one bowl. It's loaded with plant-based protein, fiber, and fresh vegetables. The lemon-tahini dressing provides healthy fats and flavor without processed ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup chickpeas, rinsed
- 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives
- Dressing: 2 tbsp tahini, juice of 1 lemon, 2 tbsp water, 1 clove garlic (minced).
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, and olives.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, water, and garlic until smooth. Season with salt.
- Pour the dressing over the quinoa bowl and toss to combine.
- Serve immediately, or store in the fridge for a perfect meal-prepped lunch.
One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken & Veggies
Why it's clean: The ultimate simple dinner. Everything cooks on one pan, and the flavor comes from fresh herbs, lemon, and garlic. It's packed with lean protein and nutrient-dense vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- On a large baking sheet, toss the broccoli, bell pepper, and zucchini with 1 tbsp of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- In a bowl, coat the chicken breasts with the remaining olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, and thyme.
- Nestle the chicken among the vegetables on the pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
Clean Eating Snacks & Treats
Satisfy your cravings the clean way with these simple ideas.
Apple "Cookies"
Why it's clean: A fun, creative snack that uses apples as a naturally sweet, high-fiber base. The toppings add protein and healthy fats for a balanced and satisfying treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 crisp apple (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- 2 tbsp natural almond butter or peanut butter (no added sugar)
- Toppings: chia seeds, hemp hearts, cinnamon, unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions:
- Core the apple, then slice it horizontally into round "cookie" shapes.
- Spread a thin layer of almond or peanut butter on each apple slice.
- Sprinkle with your choice of toppings.
- Enjoy a snack that's crunchy, creamy, and delicious.
Clean eating is about celebrating vibrant, delicious food. Use these recipes as a starting point to discover how nourishing and enjoyable a whole-food lifestyle can be.