"Clean" eating vs. Moderation- what works for you?
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Moderation for me. 10lbs down in 7 weeks (with a goal of 1lb/week), eating all the same things I did before but less of them. Though I have no room at 1,280 cals for alcohol, so that's gone until I'm back at my goal weight. I can have the odd glass of wine on maintenance cals.
I have pizza every Wednesday night, fish and chips every Friday night, and two good quality chocolates (Thorntons, Lindt etc) a night.
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Unlike many of the posters here, moderation is something I just can't handle - one slice of cake sends my mind into a food-craving frenzy...never a good idea for me. Also, when I eat 'clean' (i.e. lean meat, veg, fruit), I feel more positive mentally
One thing which surprises me is that people don't want to categorise 'good' and 'bad' foods. For the record, I completely support whatever healthy methods everyone here has used to lose weight, but am curious how, for example, pizza cannot be considered a 'bad' food, considering the chemicals etc. companies add to it?
Again, I am not in any way knocking the IIFYM method, but am just questioning the idea that broccoli is as 'good' a food as pizza?
ain't no chemicals (by which I assume you mean preservatives / MSG) in the fresh made pizza I eat - but it's full of calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, yummy carbs etc
Dependent on your nutritional needs a pizza (even a pre-made shop-bought one) could be better for you than that brocolli
also - have you ever seen the chemical breakdown of what you would call 'good' foods
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I go for everything in moderation, although that to me means fitting a treat in occasionally, not every day. I don't know if I eat 'clean' but we do generally cook from scratch, and rarely eat what I define as 'junk food' (Mcdonalds, KFC etc). I prefer to have a 'treat day' once a week and eat really healthily the other days, and on that one day I'll have some homemade cake or cookies. Although lately I've not been doing that and have had too many treats, and I find that even though I'm within calories, that doesn't work for me.
I aim for high protein and lower carb (not low carb, just reduced).
I'm a mum of 3 kids and I want them to know that eating in moderation is ok.0 -
Love this!!!Unlike many of the posters here, moderation is something I just can't handle - one slice of cake sends my mind into a food-craving frenzy...never a good idea for me. Also, when I eat 'clean' (i.e. lean meat, veg, fruit), I feel more positive mentally
One thing which surprises me is that people don't want to categorise 'good' and 'bad' foods. For the record, I completely support whatever healthy methods everyone here has used to lose weight, but am curious how, for example, pizza cannot be considered a 'bad' food, considering the chemicals etc. companies add to it?
Again, I am not in any way knocking the IIFYM method, but am just questioning the idea that broccoli is as 'good' a food as pizza?
ain't no chemicals (by which I assume you mean preservatives / MSG) in the fresh made pizza I eat - but it's full of calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, yummy carbs etc
Dependent on your nutritional needs a pizza (even a pre-made shop-bought one) could be better for you than that brocolli
also - have you ever seen the chemical breakdown of what you would call 'good' foods
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"Clean eating" to me = lower cal veggies/lean proteins, so that I can fit within my way low cal goal (1350). And of course everyone feels better I would think eating more healthy foods but many clean eating paleo, etc etc would have me slathering on lots of butter and other healthy fats - which are great but no way can fit within such a low cal diet for me.
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You'd be better off asking people to define the word "moderation" before they answer the question. Some use it and mean they get beer every weekend and fast food 4 times a week. Others use it to mean they get ice cream once a month. Both assume everyone else uses it the same way they use it themselves.0
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I've lost 56 pounds cutting out virtually nothing that I love to eat. Smaller portions and more activity, I think, are responsible for most of my weight loss. I hate to cook, so I still eat packaged foods and have fast food occasionally, but instead of having a double cheeseburger with fries, I'll have a single cheeseburger and a salad with vinaigrette dressing. I *have* restricted my carbohydrates and cut out added sugar from my diet, but that's due to a diabetes diagnosis and not because there is anything inherently wrong with either of them.
I believe that "clean" eating is less about eating well and more about exercising control over one's life, so no, I don't do it. I do eat veggies from my friend's organic garden and drink milk/eat butter and cheese from my own, unmedicated goat. I'll probably be eating more rabbit and quail in the future, since I'll be raising them myself. However, I see nothing wrong with me using artificial sweeteners rather than stevia (which I find nasty) and definitely find nothing wrong with pastries, pasta, or any other tasty snack food. I don't drink alcohol because my father and grandfather were both untreated alcoholics and consider myself high-risk for addictive behaviors, but see nothing wrong with other people doing it, either.0 -
Unlike many of the posters here, moderation is something I just can't handle - one slice of cake sends my mind into a food-craving frenzy...never a good idea for me. Also, when I eat 'clean' (i.e. lean meat, veg, fruit), I feel more positive mentally
One thing which surprises me is that people don't want to categorise 'good' and 'bad' foods. For the record, I completely support whatever healthy methods everyone here has used to lose weight, but am curious how, for example, pizza cannot be considered a 'bad' food, considering the chemicals etc. companies add to it?
Again, I am not in any way knocking the IIFYM method, but am just questioning the idea that broccoli is as 'good' a food as pizza?
Food is food - if you can find it for sale in your supermarket then it's been passed as safe for human consumption. To randomly decide something is "bad" or "unhealthy" is completely missing the context that your diet isn't comprised of one single food.
You must look at the entire diet.
Not that anyone would, but a diet comprised solely of broccoli would be very unhealthy and therefore "bad".
Pizza actually has a better balance of carbs, fat, protein but again no-one solely eats pizza. By the way everything is composed of chemicals.
As another example of context - when I'm cycling long distance I'm consuming 60g of carbs (mostly sugars) an hour. Which is perfect for me that day to fuel my exercise- it would be a dreadful diet on a day when I'm sitting at a desk all day.
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Aren't moderation and clean eating (depending on your definition) essentially the same thing? Eating the majority of your calories in nutrient rich foods with some room for less nutritionally dense foods? That's exactly what I do and what has been working for me. Call it "clean + treats", call it moderation, call it whatever you want. The problem is that those who call it clean eating build a straw man of people living on nothing but brownies. Even by moderation standards this is not sustainable nor realistic, since you would be hungry all the time.
And then there are different kinds of moderation. Some eat a square of chocolate every days, others eat a whole bar every few days/weeks. For me, I do a little of both. I can easily have a mini chocolate and be satisfied, but I can't easily have a sliver of cheesecake and be done with it. So I just have a normal-large slice of cheesecake, make up for it, and don't do it often.0 -
In the past 5 years or so, I have really noticed what seems to be an enormous shift in what is considered the "ideal" diet. So much emphasis is now placed on eating only whole, unprocessed foods, no added sugar, nothing artificial, ditch "white" carbs, etc. Paleo this, Whole 30 that, don't eat gluten, don't eat bread, etc. I totally get that nutrition and weight loss are two totally different things. What I am curious about is how are "real" people who are currently *successfully* losing weight actually eating? Do you have the occasional bowl of sugar cereal if it fits into your calorie allowance, or are your 1200 calories (or whatever your number is) strictly filled with vegetables, nuts, and organic chicken breasts? I want to know what REALLY works for you, not just what is "ideal".
I had never been a believer in “diets" or drastically changing the things I ate. I have had success in the past with “all things in moderation as long as you count everything. " It may take longer but their isn't a huge shift in losing eating and maintaining.
However this go around after packing 12 lbs on during the holidays I was determined to get the weight off quickly. I stuck to clean eating 75-80% of the time with the off time bring mostly things like snap pea crisps, pork rinds, wine once a week, protein shakes ect. I eat high protein, low carbs and love I broke my addiction to bread! Now, I still eat carbs just not sugary or wheat/yeasty things. I've lost 23 pounds since January 2, so it has been fast. Its slowed given down and I'm getting a normal .5-1.5lb a week now.
I can't say once I am at my goal I won't add a occasional piece of bread but my dependence has been broken which for me is a game changer. Because I could literally eat a loaf of French bread with some butter in one day! Screw sweets, chips, or fried food!
34 yrs, 5 foot 1.5, & small frame
SW: 207, size 18/2x, 36H body fat 42% (according to doctor)
CW: 143, 8, 32DDD, Body fat 28%(according to doctor)
GW: 125-130, size 6, 30D, body fat 22-25% (according to doctor)
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Unlike many of the posters here, moderation is something I just can't handle - one slice of cake sends my mind into a food-craving frenzy...never a good idea for me. Also, when I eat 'clean' (i.e. lean meat, veg, fruit), I feel more positive mentally
One thing which surprises me is that people don't want to categorise 'good' and 'bad' foods. For the record, I completely support whatever healthy methods everyone here has used to lose weight, but am curious how, for example, pizza cannot be considered a 'bad' food, considering the chemicals etc. companies add to it?
Again, I am not in any way knocking the IIFYM method, but am just questioning the idea that broccoli is as 'good' a food as pizza?
ain't no chemicals (by which I assume you mean preservatives / MSG) in the fresh made pizza I eat - but it's full of calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, yummy carbs etc
Dependent on your nutritional needs a pizza (even a pre-made shop-bought one) could be better for you than that brocolli
also - have you ever seen the chemical breakdown of what you would call 'good' foods
I love this.
And to answer the OP.. I eat low carb high fat due to medical problems. If it fits in my macros, and is food, I will eat it..within my calorie goal.0 -
Moderation. But what a lot of people do is follow an 80/20 or 90/10 balance. The higher number being more nutritious foods, and then work the treats into your calories/macros. I still eat fast food and pizza once a week and save room for dessert every night. Last night was a cup of chocolate pudding that not only fit into my calories, but also allowed me to hit my protein goal.0
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I try to avoid processed foods and foods with too much sugar... or any sugar at all really, as much as possible. I really do not like the term "clean eating" because it is open to interpretation and implies that anything else is "dirty". To me how can you be trying to be healthy and lose weight if you are eating a lot of sugar and processed foods anyway?0
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eeelizabeth2012 wrote: »I try to avoid processed foods and foods with too much sugar... or any sugar at all really, as much as possible. I really do not like the term "clean eating" because it is open to interpretation and implies that anything else is "dirty". To me how can you be trying to be healthy and lose weight if you are eating a lot of sugar and processed foods anyway?
easily - count calories, watch macros
sugar is nothing unless you have a medical condition
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eeelizabeth2012 wrote: »I try to avoid processed foods and foods with too much sugar... or any sugar at all really, as much as possible. I really do not like the term "clean eating" because it is open to interpretation and implies that anything else is "dirty". To me how can you be trying to be healthy and lose weight if you are eating a lot of sugar and processed foods anyway?
That is where moderation comes into play. Focus on nutrition, then add treats as you can. We aren't saying eat an entire carton of ice cream, just a reasonable portion.0 -
I'm definitely PRO moderation. I couldn't eliminate certain foods from my life without losing the will to live (see profile pic) or constantly craving- I tend to eat healthily 5 days a week and generally under my calorie allowance, which gives me the leeway to indulge at weekends 0
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I don't like bread or potatoes so it wasn't a wrench to remove them from my diet, but I will stil eat rice and pasta. I am not going to moderate myself into misery though, so I just reduce portion sizes and keep my protein level high. I calorie count very carefully, because thats the only thing that works for me.0
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You have to find what works for you. Some feel great eating vegetarian, some need to ditch dairy to feel great. I feel good when I eat a balance of veggies, whole grains and proteins (less sugar, alcohol, and processed foods). But if I don't have a treat at least once a week I'm more likely to eat more until I satisfy the craving.0
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The bolded is why clean eaters get jumped on here. Chemicals.Unlike many of the posters here, moderation is something I just can't handle - one slice of cake sends my mind into a food-craving frenzy...never a good idea for me. Also, when I eat 'clean' (i.e. lean meat, veg, fruit), I feel more positive mentally
One thing which surprises me is that people don't want to categorise 'good' and 'bad' foods. For the record, I completely support whatever healthy methods everyone here has used to lose weight, but am curious how, for example, pizza cannot be considered a 'bad' food, considering the chemicals etc. companies add to it?
Again, I am not in any way knocking the IIFYM method, but am just questioning the idea that broccoli is as 'good' a food as pizza?
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This is just my observation:
There's really not much different between most "clean" eaters and most "moderation" eaters.
The clean eaters eat mostly whole foods, and once in a while have something that doesn't fit the clean stereotype, but they talk about how clean they eat.
The moderate eaters also eat mostly whole foods, and once in a while have something that doesn't fit the clean stereotype, but talk about Pop Tarts and ice cream.
There's extremists in both camps, but the majority of both probably overlap quite a bit in what kinds of foods they eat.
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calorie deficit is what works for everyone….
everything else - moderation, clean, low carb, no carb, etc is just a tool for creating said deficit…
I personally enjoy all the foods and fit them into my day.
clean eating is totally unnecessary and the verbal gymnastics some do to define foods as 'clean' or 'dirty' is hilarious..
I also don't believe in assigning moral values to food of "good" or "bad" ..food is just energy that your body uses for energy ….different combination give you different results…
calorie deficit for weight loss
macro and micro adherence for body composition and overall health ..
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azulvioleta6 wrote: »Reasonably clean eating really does work for me--but that's not a weight-loss issue, it's just how I want to live and what I want to do for long-term health. I will occasionally have slightly unclean indulgences (wine, chocolate, bread, maybe a piece of cake once or twice a year) with a lot of moderation.
I've always been a clean eater though, so it isn't a sacrifice and I am not depriving myself. I don't want/crave junk food. I've never had Lucky Charms and I'm not going to start now.
why are those things not "clean"..????0 -
Unlike many of the posters here, moderation is something I just can't handle - one slice of cake sends my mind into a food-craving frenzy...never a good idea for me. Also, when I eat 'clean' (i.e. lean meat, veg, fruit), I feel more positive mentally
One thing which surprises me is that people don't want to categorise 'good' and 'bad' foods. For the record, I completely support whatever healthy methods everyone here has used to lose weight, but am curious how, for example, pizza cannot be considered a 'bad' food, considering the chemicals etc. companies add to it?
Again, I am not in any way knocking the IIFYM method, but am just questioning the idea that broccoli is as 'good' a food as pizza?
everything has chemicals in it.
If I have broccoli AND pizza in my day does that make my diet good or bad?
What you need to take into account is the overall diet and if someone is hitting their micro/macro/calorie goals.
what if I have broccoli on my pizza? Does the good in the broccoli negate the bad in the pizza? < that is the problem with labeling foods good or bad, because we do not eat individual foods in a vacuum.0 -
eeelizabeth2012 wrote: »I try to avoid processed foods and foods with too much sugar... or any sugar at all really, as much as possible. I really do not like the term "clean eating" because it is open to interpretation and implies that anything else is "dirty". To me how can you be trying to be healthy and lose weight if you are eating a lot of sugar and processed foods anyway?
easily - count calories, watch macros
sugar is nothing unless you have a medical condition
this …
so if my day consists of chicken, rice, eggs, cottage cheese, vegetables, turkey, whole wheat, two cookies, and two servings of ice cream it is then not healthy because of the sugar, really?0 -
I don't really have any rules, I just do what I do. I'm a female so I have those days where I just crave crap, so I eat it. I have other days/ even weeks where I eat really "clean", whatever that acutally means. I find I have more success when I prepare my own food, but I think that just boils down to an accuracy thing, just because the portions are supposed to be a specific size at a restaurant doesnt mean the new guy didn't give you double croutons on accident.0
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Moderation. Which works more or less well depending on what time of the month it is, but I just know I would never have been able to stick to it if I couldn't eat what I want occasionally.
I still eat a lot of lean meat and loads of veggies, but I also eat pizza, chocolates, cookies, ice cream and cake. I've lost 80 pounds.0 -
OP I appreciate the way you phrased your post which asked for input and anecdotal evidence from people who have tried one or both approaches.
I am on Team Moderation having lost about 30 lbs this way, but I concur with others who have pointed out that most of the time there isn't much difference in the actual diaries of those who eat "clean" vs those doing moderation or IIFYM. One of the chief differences I've observed, and you can already see it coming out in a few posts here, is the perception by "clean eaters" that everyone else is "dirty" or somehow eating a nutritionally deficient diet. You can see it in the comment about "how can pizza not be bad with all those chemicals" post or the "how can sugar and processed foods be healthy" post.
If you notice, the people responding advocating moderation are saying "eat a variety of foods, focus on meeting your goals, but there is no extra credit for eating more broccoli at the end of the day if you've already hit all your other nutritional requirements so if you fancy some wine or gelato, go for it". The clean team tend to be the ones creating straw man arguments like "how can you say a diet of all donuts is better than broccoli".0 -
OP I appreciate the way you phrased your post which asked for input and anecdotal evidence from people who have tried one or both approaches.
I am on Team Moderation having lost about 30 lbs this way, but I concur with others who have pointed out that most of the time there isn't much difference in the actual diaries of those who eat "clean" vs those doing moderation or IIFYM. One of the chief differences I've observed, and you can already see it coming out in a few posts here, is the perception by "clean eaters" that everyone else is "dirty" or somehow eating a nutritionally deficient diet. You can see it in the comment about "how can pizza not be bad with all those chemicals" post or the "how can sugar and processed foods be healthy" post.
If you notice, the people responding advocating moderation are saying "eat a variety of foods, focus on meeting your goals, but there is no extra credit for eating more broccoli at the end of the day if you've already hit all your other nutritional requirements so if you fancy some wine or gelato, go for it". The clean team tend to be the ones creating straw man arguments like "how can you say a diet of all donuts is better than broccoli".
I still say that a diet of all broccoli would be infinitely more unpleasant than a diet of all donuts.
Not that any reasonable person would do either.0
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