HEALTH
EATING OUTSIDE THE BOX
April Sellers makes it easier to ‘ Clean Plate ’ through healthy eating
By Glenda Sanders • Contributing Writer Photos by Michael Spears
Clean eating is the go-to lifestyle choice these days for those who are trying to lose weight or just want to feel healthier , and April Sellers is making it easier for Queen City residents to accomplish that goal .
The point of clean eating is to consume foods that are as close to their natural state from the earth as possible , said Sellers , owner of Clean Plate , a health food grab-and-go service in Meridian .
That means saying “ no ” to foods with preservatives , parabens , unnecessary fats , artificial sugars , artificial flavors , artificial dyes and even dairy .
Instead , the focus is on choosing highly nutritious vegetables , fruits , whole grains , lean proteins and healthy fats .
Rather than boxed , bagged or packaged foods , choose fresh , whole ones . Think of raw grapes instead of fruit juice snacks , carrot sticks instead of a bag of chips or paleo turkey chili instead of beef chili .
“ When you eat clean , you are filling your body with vitamins , minerals , high quality proteins and healthy fats ,” Sellers said , “ and all of those things work together to improve your heart and your brain health .”
Clean eating makes the body thrive , which boosts the immune system , builds energy levels , strengthens the bones and improves the digestive system , she said . Getting more vitamins , minerals and hydration makes for better skin , nails , hair , teeth and eyesight . Weight loss is an added benefit .
“ When you are eating clean , you ’ re detoxing ,” she said . “ You ’ re getting those chemicals , those toxins , out of your body so that your body can work at its peak performance .”
A clean eating lifestyle is a choice Sellers made several years ago before she , her husband Brian and their family moved to Meridian from Columbus in June 2017 .
“ In Columbus , I was very active in cross fit ,” she said . “ Of course , your performance is directly correlated with what you put into your body as far as nutrition goes , so the cleaner you eat the better performance your body is going to give you .”
She used a meal prep service in Columbus to keep
“ When you are eating clean , you ’ re detoxing . You ’ re getting those chemicals , those toxins , out of your body so that your body can work at its peak performance .”
April Sellers , owner of Clean Plate
22 • MERIDIAN HOME & STYLE