What is meant by "Eat Clean"??

OK so I'm new to all this exercise etc (well I joined the gym after xmas) and have been eating healthier too as the PT at the gym said to try and eat as clean as possible through the week and enjoy small treats at the weekend but what is meant by "eat clean" and does anyone else stick to an "eat clean" plan though the week!

For example today I'm on:

Breakfast: Spinach, banana, frozen berries and coconut water smoothie
Snack: Banana
Lunch: 1x wholemeal bap with Chicken (from the deli counter) and cucumber
Snack: Grapes
Dinner: Omellette with veggies and using fry light spray
Drinks: 3-4 litres of water and 1 coffee with sweetner and a dash of milk

Is the above classed as eating clean or should I be doing more?

Kel
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Replies

  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    It means get a new PT.
  • Of_Monsters_and_Meat
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat Posts: 1,022 Member
    Its a buzz word that means different things for different people. In the end the term is useless.
    IIFIYM is what I do, and is a lot more clear cut.

    Just scrub your vegetables and call it clean, you will be better off.

    I'd say the Clean eating crew would call you out on. the chicken from the Deli. It would be processed.
    fry light spray: ZMOG!! the devil
    sweetner: you make clean eaters cry.
  • dieselbyte
    dieselbyte Posts: 733 Member
    It means get a new PT.

    ^This. Food is food.
  • scottacular
    scottacular Posts: 597 Member
    kmab1985 wrote: »
    OK so I'm new to all this exercise etc (well I joined the gym after xmas) and have been eating healthier too as the PT at the gym said to try and eat as clean as possible through the week and enjoy small treats at the weekend but what is meant by "eat clean" and does anyone else stick to an "eat clean" plan though the week!

    For example today I'm on:

    Breakfast: Spinach, banana, frozen berries and coconut water smoothie
    Snack: Banana
    Lunch: 1x wholemeal bap with Chicken (from the deli counter) and cucumber
    Snack: Grapes
    Dinner: Omellette with veggies and using fry light spray
    Drinks: 3-4 litres of water and 1 coffee with sweetner and a dash of milk

    Is the above classed as eating clean or should I be doing more?

    Kel

    It's an overly vague term that offers very little detail. Clean eating proponents will usually hype so called non-processed foods even though just about everything is processed in some way. Forget it and focus on what food suits you best, what can you eat that offers you the most physical and mental benefits and helps you with whatever nutrition plan you're on. No food should ever be off limits, what's key is portion sizes.
  • SusanKing1981
    SusanKing1981 Posts: 257 Member
    I believe it means no processed foods.
  • mmonaghan99
    mmonaghan99 Posts: 45 Member
    I think for a lot of people it basically means no processed food, just fruits & veggies, lean protein, & whole grains. But then you have the anti-carb people who say that grains aren't "clean"...
    Like the person above said, it means a lot of different things to different people. I try to eat mostly "clean" stuff, but if I can work pizza into my day occasionally, I'm going to do so. Just do what works for you. Make sure you are eating enough, and getting a balanced diet, which it sounds like you are (although I would suggest adding a protein to your breakfast, once I did that it made me feel so much better throughout the day). You will be fine, don't worry to hard about eating "clean" or following a specific diet.
  • fat2strongbeth
    fat2strongbeth Posts: 735 Member
    To me, eating clean means little to no processed foods.
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    dieselbyte wrote: »
    It means get a new PT.

    ^This. Food is food.

    This. And this.

    Tell your pt you used spray and wipe on all the food you dropped on the floor before consuming it this week.
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    edited April 2015
    I don't understand why a lean cut of protein is any cleaner than a fattier cut. Did the chicken have clean breasts but then dirty thighs? Someone help me with this one.
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    Its a buzz word that means different things for different people. In the end the term is useless.
    IIFIYM is what I do, and is a lot more clear cut.

    Just scrub your vegetables and call it clean, you will be better off.

    I'd say the Clean eating crew would call you out on. the chicken from the Deli. It would be processed.
    fry light spray: ZMOG!! the devil
    sweetner: you make clean eaters cry.

    Oh...You are supposed to scrub your vegetables???

    I thought eat clean meant you must take a shower/bath before eating. :|

    Or at the very least...wash your hands.

  • SophieKean90
    SophieKean90 Posts: 52 Member
    Until i read this i always thought it meant non-processed, healthy, lean, properly prepared meals...
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    Until i read this i always thought it meant non-processed, healthy, lean, properly prepared meals...

    What is "healthy" is relative to your goals and the macro requirements it will take to reach them.

    Not sure why lean is clean. Dietary fat is a necessary part of a well-balanced diet.

  • kmab1985
    kmab1985 Posts: 295 Member
    I'm glad I posted this question because you have all just made me feel tonnes better, I've been panicking and feeling stressed about how much "clean eating" I'm doing to the point that if I do have something that might be processed I feel bad, guilty and horrible....

    I've cut out white carbs (on advice from PT) and try and stick to brown carbs like wholemeal bread, brown pastas and rice etc.....but just couldn't get this "Eat Clean" out fo my head!!!

    Thanks Everyone!
  • SBRRepeat
    SBRRepeat Posts: 384 Member
    herrspoons wrote: »
    No one knows.

    This.
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    PRMinx wrote: »
    Until i read this i always thought it meant non-processed, healthy, lean, properly prepared meals...

    What is "healthy" is relative to your goals and the macro requirements it will take to reach them.

    Not sure why lean is clean. Dietary fat is a necessary part of a well-balanced diet.

    As an ex-obsessive clean eater, who will never associate with that phrase any more (despite eating the same types of food most of the time) I came to realise that "health" is more than just what you put in your mouth!

    Limiting cals and fat for too long definitely didn't help my health!

  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    herrspoons wrote: »
    No one knows.

    agreed

  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    kmab1985 wrote: »
    I'm glad I posted this question because you have all just made me feel tonnes better, I've been panicking and feeling stressed about how much "clean eating" I'm doing to the point that if I do have something that might be processed I feel bad, guilty and horrible....

    I've cut out white carbs (on advice from PT) and try and stick to brown carbs like wholemeal bread, brown pastas and rice etc.....but just couldn't get this "Eat Clean" out fo my head!!!

    Thanks Everyone!

    Feelings of guilt, stress, being bad etc should NOT be associated with food.

    If you like white bread pasta rice etc, eat that too. There isn't much (if anything) healthier about brown rice over white. Sometimes life calls for white bread over wholemeal....
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    kmab1985 wrote: »
    I'm glad I posted this question because you have all just made me feel tonnes better, I've been panicking and feeling stressed about how much "clean eating" I'm doing to the point that if I do have something that might be processed I feel bad, guilty and horrible....

    I've cut out white carbs (on advice from PT) and try and stick to brown carbs like wholemeal bread, brown pastas and rice etc.....but just couldn't get this "Eat Clean" out fo my head!!!

    Thanks Everyone!

    Forget the words"eat clean" and just try to eat in a way that gives you the most nutrition bang for your calorie buck. For most people, this means to make up the majority of your diet with lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables that you prepare yourself. Limit the convenience foods (I DO NOT consider things like frozen veggies or fruit convenience foods) and eating out to occasional treats and enjoy the occasional sweet or fast food burger or glass of alcohol if they fit your calorie and macro targets.

    ps: I refuse to categorize things as "processed". Most of what you get in a grocery is processed in one way or another. I prefer to use "convenience foods" to designate the pre-packaged meals, box mixes, cans of soup, etc. that can be higher calorie/higher sodium options.

  • Nuke_64
    Nuke_64 Posts: 406 Member
    From a weight loss prospective, "white" carbs vs "brown" doesn't matter. Eating whole grain foods do have other benefits and may make you feel fuller.

    http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/reap-the-benefits-of-whole-grains?page=3

    Also, be sure your "brown" carbs are actually whole grain if you want those benefits. I've stopped ordering the "wheat" bread option at sub shops because they aren't usually whole grain, or at least not 100% whole grain, and they ain't as good as the white bread. No reason to suffer for no gain.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    edited April 2015
    Generally it means eating foods as close to it's natural state as possible. Unprocessed or minimally processed foods. Whole grains rather than finely ground flour. Homemade meals from whole ingredients rather than premade ingredients or meals. Foods without synthetic additives. That sort of thing.

    It's pretty hard and expensive to eat that way 100% in today's world. We grow, raise or hunt a good deal of our food, but we still don't eat clean all the time.
  • jibeirish
    jibeirish Posts: 244 Member
    My understanding of "eat clean" is not to eat any processed foods, if it didnt grow on land, swim walk or run dont eat it :)
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    anitabix3 wrote: »
    My understanding of "eat clean" is not to eat any processed foods, if it didnt grow on land, swim walk or run dont eat it :)

    Well, technically an egg hasn't grown from the land. I don't think they swim or run, either. What about milk? Is cheese not allowed? Technically that's processed. So is butter. And olive oil, because it's pressed. For that matter, you can count out wine. And beer. And, like, a million other things that are perfectly fine to eat.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Generally it means eating foods as close to it's natural state as possible. Unprocessed or minimally processed foods. Whole grains rather than finely ground flour. Homemade meals from whole ingredients rather than premade ingredients or meals. Foods without synthetic additives. That sort of thing.

    It's pretty hard and expensive to eat that way 100% in today's world. We grow, raise or hunt a good deal of our food, but we still don't eat clean all the time.

    This^^^
    Once the interwebs was invented the definition got twisted and diluted out to mean something different to every person. Then the a**hats started chiming in with useless remarks and now the mention of the phrase here starts a giant mess.
  • jibeirish
    jibeirish Posts: 244 Member
    PRMinx wrote: »
    anitabix3 wrote: »
    My understanding of "eat clean" is not to eat any processed foods, if it didnt grow on land, swim walk or run dont eat it :)

    Well, technically an egg hasn't grown from the land. I don't think they swim or run, either. What about milk? Is cheese not allowed? Technically that's processed. So is butter. And olive oil, because it's pressed. For that matter, you can count out wine. And beer. And, like, a million other things that are perfectly fine to eat.

    I got a book by James Duignam its called the clean and lean diet, and basically there is no processed food allowed, little to no diary, no wheat, no beer or wine just filtered water with a wedge of lime, and if you really want a drink it should be Grey Goose Vodka with filtered water.... so yeah.... that book is on my shelf gathering dust :)
  • Justygirl77
    Justygirl77 Posts: 385 Member
    "Eat clean" is a term that depends on the diet you are using. If you are eating all organic, then your foods should not be conventional/sprayed/hormone-infested meat/etc. If you are eating paleo (I don't know much about paleo) then your diet should be low-carbohydrate. If you are eating as I am currently eating, I call "clean" eating grass-fed beef, sea-food that is hormone-free and low in mercury, avoiding industrial oils like canola, and not eating sugar or excess carbs.
    "Eat clean" means to eat in such a way that your body responds well to it....it's subjective.
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    anitabix3 wrote: »
    PRMinx wrote: »
    anitabix3 wrote: »
    My understanding of "eat clean" is not to eat any processed foods, if it didnt grow on land, swim walk or run dont eat it :)

    Well, technically an egg hasn't grown from the land. I don't think they swim or run, either. What about milk? Is cheese not allowed? Technically that's processed. So is butter. And olive oil, because it's pressed. For that matter, you can count out wine. And beer. And, like, a million other things that are perfectly fine to eat.

    I got a book by James Duignam its called the clean and lean diet, and basically there is no processed food allowed, little to no diary, no wheat, no beer or wine just filtered water with a wedge of lime, and if you really want a drink it should be Grey Goose Vodka with filtered water.... so yeah.... that book is on my shelf gathering dust :)

    I'd be all like...hangry and stuff. I guess they have to allow vodka because otherwise people will be stabby. Yikes!

    I also have to laugh that vodka is ok and wine isn't. LOL.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    PRMinx wrote: »
    anitabix3 wrote: »
    PRMinx wrote: »
    anitabix3 wrote: »
    My understanding of "eat clean" is not to eat any processed foods, if it didnt grow on land, swim walk or run dont eat it :)

    Well, technically an egg hasn't grown from the land. I don't think they swim or run, either. What about milk? Is cheese not allowed? Technically that's processed. So is butter. And olive oil, because it's pressed. For that matter, you can count out wine. And beer. And, like, a million other things that are perfectly fine to eat.

    I got a book by James Duignam its called the clean and lean diet, and basically there is no processed food allowed, little to no diary, no wheat, no beer or wine just filtered water with a wedge of lime, and if you really want a drink it should be Grey Goose Vodka with filtered water.... so yeah.... that book is on my shelf gathering dust :)

    I'd be all like...hangry and stuff. I guess they have to allow vodka because otherwise people will be stabby. Yikes!

    I also have to laugh that vodka is ok and wine isn't. LOL.

    yeah. Apparently distilling is not processing but natural fermentation is.

  • maillemaker
    maillemaker Posts: 1,253 Member
    I think the myth of "bad" food has come about because people have associated calorie-dense, highly palatable foods with weight gain. Thus they must be "bad".

    As long as you are getting the nutrients your body needs, and you are not exceeding your calorie limit, you can pretty much eat whatever you want in most developed countries and the food won't be "bad". You might regret blowing 50% of your daily calorie allotment eating it, but it's probably not unhealthy for you to eat it.
  • zamphir66
    zamphir66 Posts: 582 Member
    I once worked for Nestle making Hot Pockets, and let me tell you, that place was CLEAN. There was an entire crew dedicated to keeping the place spotless and every surface was stainless steel. You could literally eat off the floors and not worry about it.

    So, my definition of clean eating is getting as much processed food as possible.

    Food in its natural state is really very dirty.

    This is of course a joke. I'm just demonstrating the meaninglessness of terms that can have whatever meaning one wants to assign to them.