Growing older is a fact of life. We all want to live long and happy lives, but unhealthy habits can put a kibosh on the quality of those years or even shorten your life. Yes, everyone is busy but living healthy doesn't have to be a chore. To equip your body for the marathon that is life, there are simple things you can do. One of them is eating clean.

If you take a close look at a carrot, you’ll notice a lack of an ingredient list on its back. Just pure carrot. It’s the same for a banana. When you eat food that comes out of a box, a can or a take-out container, “pure” is instantly thrown out the window.  Instead of fueling your body with preservatives, chemically altered fats, extra sodium and artificial flavors courtesy of ingredients you can’t pronounce, eat foods that are closest to their natural state as possible. Aim to get the majority of your daily calories from fresh fruits and vegetables, minimally processed whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, seeds, lean meats and fish. A body that is fueled operates better (and longer!) than a body that is just fed.

Here is a list of “clean” foods you can start with:

• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Leafy greens (e.g. kale and spinach)
• Beans and legumes
• Nuts and seeds (e.g. raw almonds, walnuts, and pecans)
• Whole grains (e.g. raw corn, soaked wild rice, sprouted buckwheat, etc.)
• Nut butter (e.g. homemade almond, peanut, and cashew butters)
• Nut milk (e.g. homemade almond and/or banana milk)
• Natural sweeteners (e.g. maple sugar and coconut palm sugar)
• Live cultured foods (e.g. miso and kimchee)
• Fresh herbs (e.g. basil, mint, cinnamon, and oregano)
• Dehydrated foods (e.g. dried fruits, herbs, and spices)
• Unrefined, cold-pressed extra virgin fats and oils
• Fresh smoothies and juice
• Homemade salad dressings
• Other miscellaneous foods include nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar