Clean/Dirty...missing the point

renwicker

I also think it's dangerous to fall into a cycle of viewing food as a reward or punishment, which strongly suggests an eating disorder, in my opinion. But mostly, I just work way too damned hard to think of a cookie as a "treat." I'm not a circus bear.

This is silly. Having treats does not suggest an eating disorder or any type of circus animal.

One of my pet peeves is people complaining about the word "treat." I think if you don't treat yourself once in a while. then you must have an awfully boring life.

I "treat" myself every day. That was kind of my point.

Ya, actually, I "treat" myself on the daily too. Poor choice of word on my part. I wasnt implying food should be a reward. I think it's just as important to enjoy the foods you love that may not necessarily have any nutritional value....just have to keep it to an acceptable amount for your diet and goals.

renwicker

Cheat days, or using food as a way to get to the gym does work for some people tho. I find it to not be an enjoyable way of life for me personally.

LAW_714

I want to start by saying that I hate the terms "Clean" and "Dirty" when it comes to food.

Oh, the arguement about what works best for weight loss. I feel a lot of people on here are reeeeeally missing the boat with the whole "clean vs. dirty" discussion. Is eating clean going to help you lose more weight, lose it faster, and have the flatter stomach? IDK.....probably not. Whether you have a sustained diet of corndogs and potato chips or one of organic blackberries and raw kale salads with no dressing, if you are eating less calories than your body exausts, you will lose weight. Calories in, calories out....it's science.

That being said, I eat more whole foods than I do pasta and pizza. Why? First off...I can eat way more of it, and I love food. More importantly, I DO believe that heavily processed and preservative laden foods can have long term negative effects on your body and increase odds of health risks. Aren't there more important things than just weight loss to consider when discussing a diet? Why are you trying to lose weight or be fit? To live longer?....To avoid chronic or terminal disease as you age?....Just to feel better during the day?

I believe in food, and just like exercise, it is medicine for our bodies. Weight loss aside, the majority of the food I ingest is nutrient dense because it is superior. I think I will have a longer and better quality life because of it.

Just make smart choices when you decide what you're putting into your body. I think we all know what is good and what is bad. It's still ok to treat yourself to some cake and beer sometimes. Don't make yourself miserable for the sake of eating "Clean."

<b>My overall point is.....eating mostly fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meat, and whole grains is important in a long term diet. The "clean/dirty" discussion should not just be about weight loss. It's about sustainable health.</b>

(some good articles to read on the subject)

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/should-you-be-eating-clean/

http://health.yahoo.net/articles/nutrition/what-clean-eating-and-should-you-try-it

Appreciate the measured tone and reasonable approach. Wish there was more of the same on these boards.

rowanwood

I want to start by saying that I hate the terms "Clean" and "Dirty" when it comes to food.

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Just make smart choices when you decide what you're putting into your body. I think we all know what is good and what is bad. It's still ok to treat yourself to some cake and beer sometimes. Don't make yourself miserable for the sake of eating "Clean."

<b>My overall point is.....eating mostly fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meat, and whole grains is important in a long term diet. The "clean/dirty" discussion should not just be about weight loss. It's about sustainable health.</b>

(some good articles to read on the subject)

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/should-you-be-eating-clean/

http://health.yahoo.net/articles/nutrition/what-clean-eating-and-should-you-try-it

1. OP doesn't like labeling foods.
2. OP proceeds to label food.

hahah Touche... love the meme. edit: We're adults, we know carrots are better for you than tv dinners.

How's that?

Actually no. If you could only eat "tv dinners" or carrots for the rest of your life, you would DIE eating only carrots and live a nice long time eating Lean Cuisine.

LBNOakland

I don't care what someone else eats, but I do believe we have a right to go into our grocery and know what's in the processed junk. Gmos, potassium bromate, and other nasties.

I don't want to remain ignorant. Please provide me with any evidence that 80% of cancers are linked to environmental toxins.
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This is kind of like the cigarette debates in the 60's. Prove that cigarettes cause cancer or COPD. How about you prove they don't! The effects of these toxins, chemicals, whatever won't show up until society is addicted and damage has been done!

Common sense tells us not to touch a hot stove! History shows us the more processed our food supply becomes, the more obese we become. I don't have proof but I do have eyes! Look at the obesity epidemic in kids! It isn't ALL video games. Diet has a lot to do with it! Calories in vs calories out is true. Every lift heavy after a clean meal vs a dirty meal? I can tell a huge difference in my workouts depending on how I have fueled my body. It DOES matter!

People used to die in their 50's and 60's then our life spans began to get longer. I think the average was 72 when I was in high school in the 80's. Now, they are starting to shorten again. I have been to 4 funerals THIS month! The oldest was 70 years old.

OHHH! Sorry for the rant. I definitely got carried away! Carry on!!

jonnythan

History shows us the more processed our food supply becomes, the more obese we become.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

History shows us the more processed our food supply becomes, the more obese we become.

whierd

I agree with most of the OP. I would nitpick a few of the points he made, but the overall spirit of the post I agree with.

tmpecus78

Personally im just more focused on IIFYM...

THIS x 2

StacyReneO

I don't really care what anyone else eats - whatever works for them! But if someone asks me about clean eating or what I eat., I am happy to share what I eat and why. I don't see why there needs to be any debate of clean vs. not-so-clean.

MagicalLeopleurodon

As i read this, im eating cheese taquitoes...and veggies from my garden.

Guess im neither here nor there.