Clean eating doesn’t have to be overly expensive, hard to follow, or complicated. By choosing real, whole foods that don’t come in a package, you’ll be on the right path. Find tons of clean eating tips and recipes in this article.

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If you’re new to clean eating or looking for more recipes, then you’ve come to the right place! I’ve rounded up the best clean eating recipes for beginners that are both easy and delicious.

healthy foods on a white tabletop

Clean Eating for Beginners

There’s no better time than now to clean up your diet, start eating more real foods, and begin supporting your health. The good news is that most people don’t have to follow a strict plan to get where you need to be.

Studies show that more moderate ways of eating are more sustainable over the long term that super strict diets. That’s why I love clean eating: it’s flexible, moderate, and easily adapted to one’s own needs. Learn more about what foods to eat on a clean eating diet. 

two plates filled with vegetables and hard boiled eggs

What is Clean Eating?

Just to be clear, there isn’t one strict definition of clean eating. I like to say that clean eating includes real, whole foods most of the time, choosing organic and sustainable options whenever possible. Clean eating also means selecting foods that meet one’s individual needs. 

Learn more about the basics of clean eating and get my free list of gluten and dairy free foods.

You might also be interested in these articles:

Also, feel free to get my Clean Eating Quick Start Guide! I’ll send you five days of tips to get started with a clean eating diet. 

basket filled with garlic, potatoes, and other fresh vegetables

FAQs

What is your clean eating food list?

There is no one clean eating food list, but a general rule is to choose real, whole foods over processed foods. Think fruits, vegetables, meat, chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, beans, dairy, and healthy fats like avocado and coconut. You can read more on my list of foods to eat every day.

How do you clean eat for beginners?

Take it one meal at a time or make small upgrades to your meals whenever possible. Add an extra serving of vegetables at dinnertime or swap a processed food with a real food option.

What are the rules of clean eating?

The only rule is that you eat according to your needs. There are no rules with clean eating, just do your best to choose real, unprocessed foods as often as possible.

How do you eat clean when picky?

Cook what you love. Don’t force yourself to eat kale if you hate it. If you don’t like bitter vegetables like broccoli, then choose carrots or red bell peppers.

grocery bag tipped over spilling out vegetables

Easy Clean Eating Recipes

Now it’s time to share the recipes! You’ll find a selection of my favorites in my free e-book, but you can also find my free clean eating recipe index here so you can pick exactly which ones you want. Enjoy!!!

Clean Eating Recipes

Here are some of the best clean eating recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All of these recipe are made using real food ingredients, and are gluten-free and dairy-free.

Breakfast Recipes

Here are some of the best clean eating breakfast smoothies from my blog.

Anti-Cancer Breakfast Smoothie Recipe

This smoothie has frozen broccoli in it, but you can't taste it.

Mango Peach Breakfast Smoothie

Mangoes and peaches go perfectly together in this delicious breakfast smoothie.

Nutritarian Chia Breakfast Pudding

This is a great healthy make-ahead vegan breakfast pudding.

Air Fryer Roasted Breakfast Potatoes

Breakfast potatoes are so delicious, and this is a very easy recipe.

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

Make steel cuts oats easily in the Instant Pot pressure cooker.

Celery Juice Recipe (Juicer & Blender Instructions)

Here's how to make celery juice in a juicer or a blender.

Immune Boosting Carrot Celery Juice

This easy juice recipe has immune-boosting properties. Plus, it's really delicious!

Immune-Boosting Orange Banana Smoothie

This easy smoothie recipe has immune-boosting properties. Plus, it's really delicious!

Clean Eating Chicken Recipes

Here are some of the best clean eating chicken recipes. These are all gluten-free and dairy-free.

Crockpot Chicken Thighs with Green Chiles

This is an easy, low-carb chicken recipe made in the crockpot.

Dairy-Free Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

This is an easy dairy-free casserole recipe using chicken, rice, and broccoli.

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

This is an easy, one-pot chicken and rice dish made in the pressure cooker.

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup (Gluten-Free)

Chicken noodle soup has never been easier or more delicious.

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

This is a very popular recipe on my site. It's easy and delicious.

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

You're going to love this healthy twist on a classic dish.

Paprika Baked Chicken Thighs (Whole30, Gluten-Free)

Chicken thighs are so flavorful and healthy. Here's how to bake them.

Easy Crockpot Chicken & Cabbage (Gluten-Free, Paleo)

Here is another low-carb chicken recipe that gets made in the crockpot.

Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe

This is one of my favorite chicken recipes ever. Even kids love this dish.

Paleo & Whole30 Chicken Salad (5-Ingredients)

Here is an easy dairy-free chicken salad recipe.

Meal Prep Greek Chicken Salad

This is a great meal prep recipe using chicken.

Instant Pot Easy Chicken & Sweet Potato Dinner

You only need a few ingredients for this great chicken dinner.

Crockpot Coconut Chicken Stew (Gluten-Free)

This is a keto-friendly chicken recipe using coconut milk.

Crockpot Mexican Chicken and Rice (Gluten-Free)

This is another one-pot chicken and rice dish, cooked in the slow cooker.

Clean Eating Vegan Recipes

This section includes easy, gluten-free vegan recipes that are part of a clean eating diet.

Vegan Quinoa Stuffed Peppers (Gluten-Free)

This is a healthy dish that is so satisfying.

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup (30-Minute Meal)

This is an easy version of a classic healthy soup.

Baked Lentil Burgers (Grain-Free & Gluten-Free)

These lentil burgers are perfect for vegan or vegetarian grilling.

Vegan Lentil Loaf (Gluten Free)

This is a great healthy holiday recipe for your veggie friends.

Gluten-Free Lentil Salad with Wild Rice

This is another great salad recipe that can be served as a main dish.

Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad

This chickpea salad tastes like tuna salad, but it's vegan.

Easy Vegan Coconut Lentil Curry

This easy recipe is perfect for a healthy plant-based meal.

Clean Eating Desserts

Yes, you can have treats on a clean eating diet. Here are some of the best clean eating dessert recipes.

Banana Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips

These banana-sweetened cookies are perfect for those who are wathcing their sugar intake.

Gluten Free Thumbprint Cookies

This fruit-filled cookie is a classic made gluten-free.

Vegan Cherry Coconut Popsicles

This recipe is perfect for warmer weather.

Sugar Free Pomegranate Popsicles

Here's another summer treat with no added sugar.

Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Muffins (Gluten-Free)

These sweet potato muffins are moist and full of natural sweetness.

Chocolate Chia Pudding with Strawberries

Chocolate and strawberries come together in this healthy treat.

Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookie Dough

One of my favorite recipes of all time is this Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookie Dough!

Chocolate Avocado Ice Cream

Believe it or not, but whole avocadoes get transformed into ice cream in this innovative recipe.

Double Chocolate Edible Brownie Batter

This grain-free treat is perfect for those on paleo diets.

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