Stop the dieting madness!

myhealthyfriendsfitness

Hey everyone! If there is one thing I have learned over the years is to never listen to the quick fix/detox/starvation diet promises out there. You did not put the weight on overnight you can not take it off overnight- or maybe you can, but you will gain it back- guaranteed- if you fall for all these crazy diets! If you want to be healthy and look healthy stop the madness and get daily exercise and eat clean. I am over 40, whacked hormones, former yo-yo dieting fanatic, and now I am healthy and happy in my own skin Hit me up if you want to talk.

WBB55

Are you sure I don't need a daily shake or color-coded tupperware containers?

SconnieCat

And here I thought I was happy eating Chipotle and the occasional candy bar...I guess I'm really not happy in my own skin after all

Also, OP, in your opinion, what does one need to do to "eat clean"?

californiagirl2012

Hear hear! Same here, over 50 though, with 15 years of yo-yo madness behind me. Seriously MFP is a tool to be used to just stop that madness!! lol

ltjohansen

I'm also a big believer in avoiding fad diets. As a dietitian, I see so many people who are on restrictive diets that ultimately don't work. I'm also a hormonally challenged over 50 lady and find balanced, healthy diets help keep the pesky menopause pounds at bay. Male or female, menopause or not, I encourage my clients and myself to eat healthy for life.

SAR1L

Eat clean... according to the State of California, everything you eat, see, do, smell, and hear will kill you.

Now do I suggest a life of Burger King and other "junk" food? No. Just moderation.
I can eat what I want, I just can't eat as much as I used to, and I don't want to.

I can eat half a fast food burger and an order of small fries, and be full.
Where I used to clean my plate at a restaurant, which is generally what four
servings of food!?

Just saying...

Eating clean is a noble ideal, I say eat responsibly, and eat normal, and your food habit won't be such an inconvenience to you, thus easier to maintain and stick with.

lemonsnowdrop

Eat clean? No thanks.

zyxst

I don't eat clean and I'm healthy. Why does it usually come down to "eat clean"? Nobody knows what "clean eating" means, so why keep touting it as something that *has* to be done in order to be healthy/lose weight? You want to help people stop falling for fad diets and detoxes/cleanses? Stop shoving "clean eating" in people's faces. It's just as bad as 21 Day Fix or whatever the fake Tupperware diet is called.

levitateme

You can gain it all back (or never lose it to begin with) "eating clean," too.

Kalikel

I eat pretty clean.

I don't drink overpriced shakes sold by people who refuse to divulge the ingredients. That's not food. That's not clean.

myhealthyfriendsfitness

In simplest terms- eating less processed foods and more whole foods

CSARdiver

I don't trust anyone who isn't trying to sell me something.

lemurcat12

I eat lots of whole foods and lots of vegetables in particular, but if "eating clean" means cutting out all "processed" foods I don't see the point, as I find lots of processed foods helpful in putting together a nutritious, satisfying diet. For example, cottage cheese, plain greek yogurt, smoked salmon, lean ground beef, steel cut oats, olive oil, dried whole wheat pasta, I could go on.

janejellyroll

myhealthyfriendsfitness wrote: »

In simplest terms- eating less processed foods and more whole foods

But I like processing! Things like freezing, canning, and drying allow us to eat the foods we love year-round. Cooking makes more nutrients available to us and can do wonders for the taste. Why should I give up processed food? I'm in great health (my doctor agrees) and maintaining my goal weight.

elphie754

myhealthyfriendsfitness wrote: »

In simplest terms- eating less processed foods and more whole foods

Not required for weight loss at all.

EvanKeel

90% of the comments on these boards would be unnecessary if users started using "nutrient-dense, mostly whole-foods" instead of some variant of "clean foods." And I'm guessing the majority of people on either side of the discussion would be more or less ok with the resulting list of foods.

Annie_01

EvanKeel wrote: »

90% of the comments on these board would be unnecessary if users started using "nutrient-dense, mostly whole-foods" instead of some variant of "clean foods." And I'm guessing the majority of people on either side of the discussion would be more or less ok with the resulting list of foods.

True...the argument is over terminology. Each side holding on for dear life to their words of preference.

Reminds of...

You like potato and I like potahto
You like tomato and I like tomahto
Potato, potahto, Tomato, tomahto.
Let's call the whole thing off

ASKyle

myhealthyfriendsfitness wrote: »

In simplest terms- eating less processed foods and more whole foods

So you only eat raw foods??

dubird

EvanKeel wrote: »

90% of the comments on these boards would be unnecessary if users started using "nutrient-dense, mostly whole-foods" instead of some variant of "clean foods." And I'm guessing the majority of people on either side of the discussion would be more or less ok with the resulting list of foods.

Very true. While I still don't go along with the mostly whole-foods, that's a much better description than just 'clean eating'.

EvanKeel

Annie_01 wrote: »

EvanKeel wrote: »

90% of the comments on these board would be unnecessary if users started using "nutrient-dense, mostly whole-foods" instead of some variant of "clean foods." And I'm guessing the majority of people on either side of the discussion would be more or less ok with the resulting list of foods.

True...the argument is over terminology. Each side holding on for dear life to their words of preference.

Reminds of...

You like potato and I like potahto
You like tomato and I like tomahto
Potato, potahto, Tomato, tomahto.
Let's call the whole thing off

Yeah, and I get it. Words matter. I have debates over semantics a lot. A shared vocabulary, especially over a vague term, is necessary.

And yet.

If someone starts off by talking about how they're eating clean....everyone knows how discussion is going to go down. Generally I find those types of discussions useful, but not here. It frequently just ends up becoming another way for people to say the same things over and over. It's a little crazy.

Annie_01

On the more serious side...

Since the beginning of time mankind has taken words and given them new meaning. Each generation that comes along grabs hold of a word or phrase and uses it to describe what is relevant to them. Maybe "clean" will be next on the list.

Here is Huffington Post's 12 word list...if you google you will find more...

1) "Hook up,"
"Hook up" used to mean getting some kind of device or service or appliance up and running, i.e. "hook up cable television." Today, it also means "hooking up" with someone to have sex or just "hooking up" with someone as in meeting up.

2) "Fantastic" meant "existing only in one's imagination" centuries ago. Today, it means something is really incredible.

3) "Bad,"
"Bad" used to describe someone who'd done something wrong or something that was poor in quality. Today, it also means "good" or "great" when used as slang. (And "breaking bad" means to challenge conventions and defy authority.)

4) "Gay,"
"Gay" used to mean merry or happy, i.e. "don we now our gay apparel." Today, it is usually associated with being homosexual as in "gay marriage."

5) "Sick... now is a good thing,"
"Sick" used to mean ill. Today, it also means something is really amazing.

6) "Backlog" meant the biggest log in the fire during colonial times. Today, it means a reserve or a pile of work you still need to plow through.

7) "Rubbers used to be slip-on boots that covered shoes,"
"Rubbers" also used to be erasers (and still mean erasers in Britain). Today, it's most often slang for condoms.

8) "Years ago, 'thongs' were another word for flip-flops. Nowadays, thongs are underwear!,"

9) "Tool" used to mean something you dug up the garden with. Today, it also means someone who's not intelligent enough to realize they are being used or taken advantage of.

10) "'Message me!' wouldn't have made sense a few years ago... like 'Letter me'?"

11) "Cell used to mean jail! Or a tiny part of your body..."
Today, of course, it's also what you call your phone.

12) "Awful" used to mean something that inspired awe. Today, it means something is bad or that someone looks terrible. It also means exceedingly great as in "an awful lot of money."

Need2Exerc1se

There are many paths. Even fad diets work if you follow them and there are no "guarantees" of weight regain simply because you follow a fad diet. Many would call "clean eating" a fad diet. Statistics tell us that most of us will regain weight lose.

lemurcat12

EvanKeel wrote: »

90% of the comments on these boards would be unnecessary if users started using "nutrient-dense, mostly whole-foods" instead of some variant of "clean foods." And I'm guessing the majority of people on either side of the discussion would be more or less ok with the resulting list of foods.

Yep. That would be nice.

But beyond that, I think there are a couple of perhaps more significant differences that go beyond the terminology:

(1) as janejellyroll's post pointed out well, and what mine was intended to get at, is the idea that "processing" is something bad or negative in general, and therefore that it's always better to avoid it, is something I simply don't agree with. Living in the northern mid-western US, as I do, without processing (or other unnatural things, like carting in foods from Latin America) I wouldn't have very many options for fruit or veggies in the winter or early spring. Nor could I have many of the types of fish I enjoy including in my diet. I don't at all agree that my diet would be healthier (although it would be more limited) in the absence of processing.

(2) the idea of "clean" is that its better to ONLY eat nutrient-dense foods and that including any lower nutrient foods just for pleasure (or because it's Christmas or because grandma made it or because it's fun to try the new restaurant with the well-respected chef) is a failure and means that your diet isn't healthy (or not as healthy). I reject this idea. I think it's important to eat a healthy diet that focuses on nutrient-dense foods, but I see no reason why that means including some cherry pie on occasion is "unclean" or bad or makes my diet in general not healthy.

I am open to discussing either of these perceived differences with someone on the "clean" bandwagon. (And I don't think they are insignificant differences or, again, just about terminology.)

spatulamom

If clean eating does not include copious amounts of cookie butter, I'm out.

karyabc

Oh lord here we go with the clean eating again.. you know what please tell me your food groceries/meals? What exactly do you eat that is clean?
Do you assume that everyone in this forum is american and have access to the same food you have?
Take me, I'm from a veryyyy poor/third world country and we don't have even close the rates of obesity the u.s have, so what a whole country is doing it wrong? or how about those who have never had a weight issue and are in health are they doing it wrong?

Do what works for you but stop saying to others that is what they have to do to achieve the same and be healthy

janejellyroll

lemurcat12 wrote: »

EvanKeel wrote: »

90% of the comments on these boards would be unnecessary if users started using "nutrient-dense, mostly whole-foods" instead of some variant of "clean foods." And I'm guessing the majority of people on either side of the discussion would be more or less ok with the resulting list of foods.

Yep. That would be nice.

But beyond that, I think there are a couple of perhaps more significant differences that go beyond the terminology:

(1) as janejellyroll's post pointed out well, and what mine was intended to get at, is the idea that "processing" is something bad or negative in general, and therefore that it's always better to avoid it, is something I simply don't agree with. Living in the northern mid-western US, as I do, without processing (or other unnatural things, like carting in foods from Latin America) I wouldn't have very many options for fruit or veggies in the winter or early spring. Nor could I have many of the types of fish I enjoy including in my diet. I don't at all agree that my diet would be healthier (although it would be more limited) in the absence of processing.

(2) the idea of "clean" is that its better to ONLY eat nutrient-dense foods and that including any lower nutrient foods just for pleasure (or because it's Christmas or because grandma made it or because it's fun to try the new restaurant with the well-respected chef) is a failure and means that your diet isn't healthy (or not as healthy). I reject this idea. I think it's important to eat a healthy diet that focuses on nutrient-dense foods, but I see no reason why that means including some cherry pie on occasion is "unclean" or bad or makes my diet in general not healthy.

I am open to discussing either of these perceived differences with someone on the "clean" bandwagon. (And I don't think they are insignificant differences or, again, just about terminology.)

I agree 100% that these conversations aren't mere semantics. OP is encouraging us to "stop the dieting madness." I think the idea that there are "clean" foods or that processing a food makes it bad is part of the "dieting madness." Once I let those ideas go, managing my weight became simple (and my emotional connection to food become much less complicated).

ndj1979

myhealthyfriendsfitness wrote: »

Hey everyone! If there is one thing I have learned over the years is to never listen to the quick fix/detox/starvation diet promises out there. You did not put the weight on overnight you can not take it off overnight- or maybe you can, but you will gain it back- guaranteed- if you fall for all these crazy diets! If you want to be healthy and look healthy stop the madness and get daily exercise and eat clean. I am over 40, whacked hormones, former yo-yo dieting fanatic, and now I am healthy and happy in my own skin Hit me up if you want to talk.

this is amusing..complaining about fad diets and then telling everyone to eat clean if you want to lose weight.

clean eating has nothing to do with weight loss.

ndj1979

myhealthyfriendsfitness wrote: »

In simplest terms- eating less processed foods and more whole foods

so whole wheat pasta is out because processed = bad then, right?

you can eat processed foods, lose weight, and be healthy.

gothchiq

It's rather odd that things which are considered positive most anywhere else in the world, such as eating whole foods with lots of nutrition, are so frequently derided here even though it is what doctors recommend. There is some kind of mob mentality going on on this board and I feel that all these quibbles over terminology are disingenuous at best. OP, you're doing the right thing. Ignore the baiting posts that are designed to draw you into pointless arguments. I wonder if ppl realize that anywhere else, in cyberspace or real life, you have but to mention the MFP boards and everyone rolls their eyes and groans. And that includes the nutritionist's office.

DeguelloTex

If I crush the tomatoes and eat them, am I eating clean? If someone else does it for me, am I eating clean?

janejellyroll

gothchiq wrote: »

It's rather odd that things which are considered positive most anywhere else in the world, such as eating whole foods with lots of nutrition, are so frequently derided here even though it is what doctors recommend. There is some kind of mob mentality going on on this board and I feel that all these quibbles over terminology are disingenuous at best. OP, you're doing the right thing. Ignore the baiting posts that are designed to draw you into pointless arguments. I wonder if ppl realize that anywhere else, in cyberspace or real life, you have but to mention the MFP boards and everyone rolls their eyes and groans. And that includes the nutritionist's office.

Oh, geez. Are we already at the point in the thread where we're going to start claiming that people are against eating whole foods or nutrient-dense foods?