Clean Eating Question

Ok so I'd really like to give this a go since my neighbor has been doing it. She has lost 15 pounds and 20 inches in 5 weeks. If I do this and get to goal could I slowly add in a few things I used to like as long as I stay at my maintaining calorie range? I'm just wondering if I'll ever be able to eat out again or enjoy things at holidays with the family. I just wouldn't want to lose it all just to gain it all back if I'd slip into old habits if I felt I was always depriving myself. I need to lose at least 80 pounds but my goal is 100. Suggestions, opinions, and advise wanted! Thank you.
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Replies

  • ImitatetheSun
    ImitatetheSun Posts: 44 Member
    Some clean eating advocates also promote the 80/20 rule, where you eat clean 80 percent of the time and can eat and drink a bit rougher 20 percent of the time. :) generally, though, if you feel so deprived just thinking about It that you're already thinking of cheating on it, it might not bethe right plan for you to hit goal with....
  • ashleypetrie4
    ashleypetrie4 Posts: 119 Member
    I eat clean 90% of the time, but still allow myself to dine out and indulge in things occasionally.. usually if I'm really craving something or am out with friends, typically like 2-3 times a month. You can lose weight either way, all that really matters is making sure you have a calorie deficit. So just log your food religiously, stay in a deficit, and slowly eliminate processed foods.. this is how I did it.
  • mellymay5
    mellymay5 Posts: 5 Member
    It isn't as hard as it sounds and after you clean your body you lose a lot of the cravings for the foods you think you couldn't live without. 80/20 allows you to still indulge on occasion but you will want real foods more often. I was amazed at how much better real food tastes after you get rid of the junk.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    edited June 2015
    So, how do you guys define clean?
  • LBuehrle8
    LBuehrle8 Posts: 4,044 Member
    And how do you define real food?
  • BabyPhat90713
    BabyPhat90713 Posts: 120 Member
    Thank you guys. That's what my neighbor told me. She said that she doesn't even crave the pop anymore which I'm not a pop drinker anyway.
  • BabyPhat90713
    BabyPhat90713 Posts: 120 Member
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol
  • mantium999
    mantium999 Posts: 1,490 Member
    Hate to tell you, but calorie deficit, not eating "clean" is how your neighbor lost weight. Now, eating clean might have accidentally caused a deficit, but in the end, that's all that really happened
  • lemonsnowdrop
    lemonsnowdrop Posts: 1,298 Member
    It sounds like you don't really want to do this. You want to lose the weight like your neighbor, but you're hesitant to give up foods you love. There is no reason to - if you stay in a calorie deficit, you'll lose weight. If you're really serious about "clean" eating, go for it, but I wouldn't do it just because you saw someone else's results.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol

    What is a bad carb?
  • mantium999
    mantium999 Posts: 1,490 Member
    mellymay5 wrote: »
    It isn't as hard as it sounds and after you clean your body you lose a lot of the cravings for the foods you think you couldn't live without. 80/20 allows you to still indulge on occasion but you will want real foods more often. I was amazed at how much better real food tastes after you get rid of the junk.

    What constitutes real and junk?
  • BabyPhat90713
    BabyPhat90713 Posts: 120 Member
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol

    What is a bad carb?

    Basically junk like potato chips, crackers and so on. You get your good carbs from fruits and so forth
  • BabyPhat90713
    BabyPhat90713 Posts: 120 Member
    It sounds like you don't really want to do this. You want to lose the weight like your neighbor, but you're hesitant to give up foods you love. There is no reason to - if you stay in a calorie deficit, you'll lose weight. If you're really serious about "clean" eating, go for it, but I wouldn't do it just because you saw someone else's results.

    Thanks. Yeah your right. I feel like I wouldn't be able to put my all into this diet. I was even thinking about doing a meatless Monday and maybe one clean eating meal a day and healthier snacks. And possibly later add a few days a week where I do the clean eating thing. I think that sounds more approachable
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    edited June 2015
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol

    What is a bad carb?

    Basically junk like potato chips, crackers and so on. You get your good carbs from fruits and so forth

    But wait... all of the foods you just listed come from 'good carb' sources right?

    Potato chips evidently come from potatoes, good carb, right?

    Crackers can have multiple ingredients; barley, rye and wheat. Good carbs, right?

    A carb, is a carb. They all have the same molecular formula. They're the same on a molecular level. Nothing differentiates a carb from a carb, no?
  • BabyPhat90713
    BabyPhat90713 Posts: 120 Member
    mantium999 wrote: »
    mellymay5 wrote: »
    It isn't as hard as it sounds and after you clean your body you lose a lot of the cravings for the foods you think you couldn't live without. 80/20 allows you to still indulge on occasion but you will want real foods more often. I was amazed at how much better real food tastes after you get rid of the junk.

    What constitutes real and junk?

    I think she means clean good food like veggies, fruits, and leaner meats as real food and junk as in 'junk foods' like cookies, icecream, and such. I Hope That The Cravings For Those Foods Will lesson as I go on In this journey
  • mantium999
    mantium999 Posts: 1,490 Member
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol

    What is a bad carb?

    Basically junk like potato chips, crackers and so on. You get your good carbs from fruits and so forth

    Expand please. Chips get their carbs from a vegetable, and fats from oils. How is this a bad carb?
  • This content has been removed.
  • BabyPhat90713
    BabyPhat90713 Posts: 120 Member
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol

    What is a bad carb?

    Basically junk like potato chips, crackers and so on. You get your good carbs from fruits and so forth

    But wait... all of the foods you just listed come from 'good carb' sources right?

    Potato chips evidently come from potatoes, good carb, right?

    Crackers can have multiple ingredients; barley, rye and wheat. Good carbs, right?

    A carb, is a carb. They all have the same molecular formula. They're the same on a molecular level. Nothing differentiates a carb from a carb, no?

    I don't know. I just No That potato chips and icecream and crackers are harder for you to digest and they are not good for you. Potatoes are only good in increments. It's a starch and starchs are not good for you either
  • This content has been removed.
  • mantium999
    mantium999 Posts: 1,490 Member
    mantium999 wrote: »
    mellymay5 wrote: »
    It isn't as hard as it sounds and after you clean your body you lose a lot of the cravings for the foods you think you couldn't live without. 80/20 allows you to still indulge on occasion but you will want real foods more often. I was amazed at how much better real food tastes after you get rid of the junk.

    What constitutes real and junk?

    I think she means clean good food like veggies, fruits, and leaner meats as real food and junk as in 'junk foods' like cookies, icecream, and such. I Hope That The Cravings For Those Foods Will lesson as I go on In this journey

    She didn't say junk, I was asking you. If I have ice cream made from "real" things like dairy, cane sugar, and maybe a fruit or berry, is that junk?
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol

    What is a bad carb?

    Basically junk like potato chips, crackers and so on. You get your good carbs from fruits and so forth

    But wait... all of the foods you just listed come from 'good carb' sources right?

    Potato chips evidently come from potatoes, good carb, right?

    Crackers can have multiple ingredients; barley, rye and wheat. Good carbs, right?

    A carb, is a carb. They all have the same molecular formula. They're the same on a molecular level. Nothing differentiates a carb from a carb, no?

    I don't know. I just No That potato chips and icecream and crackers are harder for you to digest and they are not good for you. Potatoes are only good in increments. It's a starch and starchs are not good for you either

    Any studies supporting that claim?
  • mantium999
    mantium999 Posts: 1,490 Member
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol

    What is a bad carb?

    Basically junk like potato chips, crackers and so on. You get your good carbs from fruits and so forth

    But wait... all of the foods you just listed come from 'good carb' sources right?

    Potato chips evidently come from potatoes, good carb, right?

    Crackers can have multiple ingredients; barley, rye and wheat. Good carbs, right?

    A carb, is a carb. They all have the same molecular formula. They're the same on a molecular level. Nothing differentiates a carb from a carb, no?

    I don't know. I just No That potato chips and icecream and crackers are harder for you to digest and they are not good for you. Potatoes are only good in increments. It's a starch and starchs are not good for you either

    How do you know? If you are giving advice based on personal assumtions, how does that help anyone?
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Ok so I'd really like to give this a go since my neighbor has been doing it. She has lost 15 pounds and 20 inches in 5 weeks. If I do this and get to goal could I slowly add in a few things I used to like as long as I stay at my maintaining calorie range? I'm just wondering if I'll ever be able to eat out again or enjoy things at holidays with the family. I just wouldn't want to lose it all just to gain it all back if I'd slip into old habits if I felt I was always depriving myself. I need to lose at least 80 pounds but my goal is 100. Suggestions, opinions, and advise wanted! Thank you.

    OP - I am going to give you the following advice.

    1. ditch the clean eating it is necessary for nothing and impossible to define.
    2. enter your stats into MFP and set it for one pound per week loss.
    3. get a food scale and weigh all solids
    4. make sure you are using accurate MFP database entries
    5. log everything that you eat
    6. realize that no foods are bad/clean/good/whatever; you can eat the foods you like on a daily basis like cookies, ice cream, processed foods, etc; however, make sure that the majority of your foods are nutrient dense
    7. make sure you hit micros/macors
    8. find a form of exercise you like and do it < not necessary but is good for overall health.
  • BabyPhat90713
    BabyPhat90713 Posts: 120 Member
    mantium999 wrote: »
    [noknow="BabyPhat90713;32941336"]
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol

    What is a bad carb?

    Basically junk like potato chips, crackers and so on. You get your good carbs from fruits and so forth

    Expand please. Chips get their carbs from a vegetable, and fats from oils. How is this a bad carb?[/quote]

    I just know that chips are definitely not good for you. I used to go to a dietitian years ago. And this was a no no. I don't claim to be an expert on this subject so maybe you are right but I'm going to take her advise and just not eat them. I can't see where they could be considered healthy.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol

    fruit are carbs….

    what are bad carbs???
  • BabyPhat90713
    BabyPhat90713 Posts: 120 Member
    dont deprive yourself eat as nutrient dense as you can but allow for treats.

    Thanks :smile:
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol

    What is a bad carb?

    Basically junk like potato chips, crackers and so on. You get your good carbs from fruits and so forth

    But wait... all of the foods you just listed come from 'good carb' sources right?

    Potato chips evidently come from potatoes, good carb, right?

    Crackers can have multiple ingredients; barley, rye and wheat. Good carbs, right?

    A carb, is a carb. They all have the same molecular formula. They're the same on a molecular level. Nothing differentiates a carb from a carb, no?

    I don't know. I just No That potato chips and icecream and crackers are harder for you to digest and they are not good for you. Potatoes are only good in increments. It's a starch and starchs are not good for you either

    ice cream is harder for you to digest, really? I always thought ice cream was fast digesting protein …

    OP - you need to stop falling victims to all the woo woo out there..ther are no bad carbs…the only bad carb is the one that puts you in a caloric surplus..

    I probably eat 250 + carbs a day and I have lost ten pounds in the past three months...
  • ashleypetrie4
    ashleypetrie4 Posts: 119 Member
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol

    What is a bad carb?

    Basically junk like potato chips, crackers and so on. You get your good carbs from fruits and so forth

    But wait... all of the foods you just listed come from 'good carb' sources right?

    Potato chips evidently come from potatoes, good carb, right?

    Crackers can have multiple ingredients; barley, rye and wheat. Good carbs, right?

    A carb, is a carb. They all have the same molecular formula. They're the same on a molecular level. Nothing differentiates a carb from a carb, no?

    I don't know. I just No That potato chips and icecream and crackers are harder for you to digest and they are not good for you. Potatoes are only good in increments. It's a starch and starchs are not good for you either

    Any studies supporting that claim?

    Why are you antagonizing her? She's simply trying to begin her weight loss journey and trying to learn what she can about food and nutrition.
  • mantium999
    mantium999 Posts: 1,490 Member
    edited June 2015
    mantium999 wrote: »
    [noknow="BabyPhat90713;32941336"]
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol

    What is a bad carb?

    Basically junk like potato chips, crackers and so on. You get your good carbs from fruits and so forth

    Expand please. Chips get their carbs from a vegetable, and fats from oils. How is this a bad carb?

    I just know that chips are definitely not good for you. I used to go to a dietitian years ago. And this was a no no. I don't claim to be an expert on this subject so maybe you are right but I'm going to take her advise and just not eat them. I can't see where they could be considered healthy.[/quote]

    So, if you don't know, maybe you should refrain from repeating that which you assume, and benefit yourself by learning more.
  • BabyPhat90713
    BabyPhat90713 Posts: 120 Member
    So, how do you guys define clean?
    I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lol

    What is a bad carb?

    Basically junk like potato chips, crackers and so on. You get your good carbs from fruits and so forth

    But wait... all of the foods you just listed come from 'good carb' sources right?

    Potato chips evidently come from potatoes, good carb, right?

    Crackers can have multiple ingredients; barley, rye and wheat. Good carbs, right?

    A carb, is a carb. They all have the same molecular formula. They're the same on a molecular level. Nothing differentiates a carb from a carb, no?

    I don't know. I just No That potato chips and icecream and crackers are harder for you to digest and they are not good for you. Potatoes are only good in increments. It's a starch and starchs are not good for you either

    Any studies supporting that claim?

    I guess my question for you since you seem to know it all is how fast are you losing weight if you are eating all of this?
This discussion has been closed.