Easy Clean Eating Recipes for Beginners
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.
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.
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.
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:
- Choosing Between Keto, Paleo, Whole30, Vegan, and Clean Eating Diets
- How to Eat Clean on a Budget + 7-Day Clean Eating Budget Meal Plan
- How to Go Sugar-Free (Without Going Crazy)!
- Clean Eating Food List with Pantry Items
- Clean Eating Tips While Staying at Home
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.
FAQs
There is no one set clean eating food list that everyone agrees on, but a general rule is to choose real, whole foods over processed foods (see my clean eating food list). 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.
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. See more of my tips for how to eat clean.
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.
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. See my list of the best vegetables for picky eaters.
Probably not, due to the fact that our soil has become depleted. Check out my articles on the best vitamins for women over 50 and the best vitamins for 30-year old women.
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.
If you don’t find enough recipes on this list, then you can also check out my list of the best clean eating websites.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Baked Lentil Burgers (Grain-Free & Gluten-Free)
These lentil burgers are perfect for vegan or vegetarian grilling.
Gluten-Free Lentil Salad with Wild Rice
This is another great salad recipe that can be served as a main dish.
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.
Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Muffins (Gluten-Free)
These sweet potato muffins are moist and full of natural sweetness.
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.
Whole30 Vanilla Chia Pudding
This easy chia pudding is vegan and sugar-free. It's a super healthy breakfast or dessert.
If you like this post, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!
Note: this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations related to your individual situation.
So many ideas! I can imagine there must be at least something for everyone
Talk about a great selection of healthy recipes for clean eating. I can honestly say that I would make and each one! Great post, Carrie!
We are trying to eat healthier for the New Year…I love all of these recipe ideas.
Lots of amazing choice here and so many recipes I will be trying soon.
Great read! I love that you mentioned that their isn’t a strict definition for “clean eating.” It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition! I lean towards more of a Paleo template, with some gluten-free grains and high-quality dairy because that’s what works for me! I’m a firm believer that once you figure out what foods make you feel your absolute best, the rest will fall seamlessly into place!
Yes, I needed to read this article! I’ve been having this reoccurring illness and clean eating has actually helped me with getting better! Oatmeal does wonders, personally, for me! So, I’m glad it’s also on your list.
thank you for a wonderful collection of recipes. i am going to try the smoothies and desserts first.. 🙂
A woman after my own heart!!! You’re so welcome, Vidya!
Those all sounds like really tasty recipes. My favorite ones would have to be the desserts, the Indian spice burgers sounds amazing as well.
Such great ideas!! As someone who is both gluten & dairy free, I can definitely appreciate this list!
-Madi xo
this is the perfect time of year to try some cleaner eating recipes. I need to try some of the smoothie ones… i’ve been so uninspired by drinking the same ones every single morning