A fair question about "eating clean"

MSeel1984

For those of you that "eat clean" and also take a protein/whey supplement...

How does that work? Isn't "eating clean" about eliminating processed foods?

Isn't protein powder a processed food? I mean how do you get from a soy bean to something that looks like powder?

Read the ingredients on most protein supplements...

Here is my question: Why take a processed protein supplement instead of eating peanut butter, eating whole nuts, eating eggs or egg whites or tofu? Even tofu...it's a processed food.

I guess I'm trying to understand why the lines of clean eating are so fuzzy...that's all.

MSeel1984

Intrigued that nobody is responding.

ksimmons19

I'm intrigued that you mentioned "clean eating" and there's not 3 pages of emotional outbursts at one another.

hotmomma0612

I'm intrigued that you mentioned "clean eating" and there's not 3 pages of emotional outbursts at one another.

Just wait, it's bound to happen!

MSeel1984

I'm intrigued that you mentioned "clean eating" and there's not 3 pages of emotional outbursts at one another.

LoL-that's why I was surprised nobody was responding. It's a "hot button" topic on the forums.

This is a legit question. I mean...if clean eating is about eliminating processed foods, how come many people who follow a "clean eating" pattern also take a protein supplement? Why not get protein from natural sources instead of processed ones?

ksimmons19

I'm intrigued that you mentioned "clean eating" and there's not 3 pages of emotional outbursts at one another.

Just wait, it's bound to happen!

.................wait for it.....................

ckmama

I always wondered that myself.

But not all clean eaters consume "protein powders" or they eat clean 80-90% of the time and the powder would be the other 10% I suppose. I guess it depends on the individuals definition of clean.

CysterWigs

I think no one is responding to this because it looks like bait. The wording of the question is very rhetorical.

aquinoz

i spray windex into my protein to make it clean. lol

pastryari

I think no one is responding to this because it looks like bait. The wording of the question is very rhetorical.

MSeel1984

I always wondered that myself.

But not all clean eaters consume "protein powders" or they eat clean 80-90% of the time and the powder would be the other 10% I suppose. I guess it depends on the individuals definition of clean.

OK...that makes more sense.

I just know that the clean eaters I've encountered on the forums and on MFP in general consume a protein powder/supplement at least once/day. I was confused because it seems contradictory.

eahill4

I eat clean.... I wash my fruits and vegetables before eating and follow the 3 second rule if I drop food on the floor. Does that count?:laugh:

Janice2Shakira

I'm intrigued that you mentioned "clean eating" and there's not 3 pages of emotional outbursts at one another.

Just wait, it's bound to happen!

.................wait for it.....................

MSeel1984

I think no one is responding to this because it looks like bait. The wording of the question is very rhetorical.

Not really a bait. It just seems like a contradiction to follow a diet that focuses on whole foods with minimal processing then once a day to consume a supplement that is quite processed.

Here is how I think of processing foods...

How many steps does it take to take the food from the whole form in which it is naturally found to get to the step in which you are about to consume it?

Corn --> corn flakes
Rice--> rice milk
Soy beans --> Protein powder

?

Ang108

I would not ingest any protein powder ( and at age 65 there is no danger that my caloric output as a world class athlete is so high to have to resort to protein powder, because otherwise I could not eat enough ) and never have. I would increase my protein intake through natural foods. Others may of course eat as they please......

Rogiefreida

I am also shocked that this thread isn't already 4 pages long of "OMG!!!!!" debates.

To answer OP's question...

All I know is what I do. I don't know if it's right or wrong but it works for me. I try to keep my diet clean probably about 80% of the time. I try to keep fast food, packaged/processed stuff to a minimum or if I do eat processed foods, it's stuff like protein bars and whey protein. To me, that kind of processed food still has enough nutritional value in it that I'm ok with eating it even if it isn't clean. I would love to be in a place in my life where I have the time to devote to making sure I have adequate protein sources available for post workouts, etc but I don't. I work A LOT, like many other people. Sometimes, I need food, and I need it 5 minutes ago. In comes the protein shake/bar, which to me is better than rolling through a fast food drive thru somewhere. I suppose that doesn't make me a real clean eater, but I'm ok with that.

Barbellgirl

I think the very conscientious eaters probably don't use protein powders or bars. I personally have no problem hitting my desired grams of protein by eating it. Some people might have a harder time hitting theirs and it may be an area where they make concessions. Who knows? Not sure why the infatuation over nitpicking his subject to death. This horse has been killed more than a few times already this week.

jwdieter

I guess I'm trying to understand why the lines of clean eating are so fuzzy...that's all.

Because they're fuzzy. There are hundreds of different definitions. And there are definitions of definitions of definitions in the arguments, and all are debatable.

l3xii

i spray windex into my protein to make it clean. lol

LOVE IT!:laugh:

MSeel1984

I am also shocked that this thread isn't already 4 pages long of "OMG!!!!!" debates.

To answer OP's question...

All I know is what I do. I don't know if it's right or wrong but it works for me. I try to keep my diet clean probably about 80% of the time. I try to keep fast food, packaged/processed stuff to a minimum or if I do eat processed foods, it's stuff like protein bars and whey protein. To me, that kind of processed food still has enough nutritional value in it that I'm ok with eating it even if it isn't clean. I would love to be in a place in my life where I have the time to devote to making sure I have adequate protein sources available for post workouts, etc but I don't. I work A LOT, like many other people. Sometimes, I need food, and I need it 5 minutes ago. In comes the protein shake/bar, which to me is better than rolling through a fast food drive thru somewhere. I suppose that doesn't make me a real clean eater, but I'm ok with that.

Thank you for a serious answer. I'm sure I'll get plenty of debating and angry tirades, but as long as I get a few serious answers I'm happy.

My thing is this: for the most part, I love whole fruits and vegetables...but...how processed is processed? I am discovering there is a broad range of options with clean eating. Some people are fine eating something like Baked blue corn tortilla chips (one of my favorites) with salsa. Other people consider that too processed...

I'm just trying to figure out what constitutes eating clean and when it starts to turn into something else.

hotmomma0612

I'm intrigued that you mentioned "clean eating" and there's not 3 pages of emotional outbursts at one another.

Just wait, it's bound to happen!

.................wait for it.....................

Any time now...

MSeel1984

I'm intrigued that you mentioned "clean eating" and there's not 3 pages of emotional outbursts at one another.

Just wait, it's bound to happen!

.................wait for it.....................

Any time now...

Hasn't happened yet. Honestly that's not what I'm after in the first place. I think if people read my responses they'll realize it's a serious and non-accusatory question.

mockchoc

It is really funny when someone gets on here and says they are a clean eater and you take a look at what is in their diary. They are kidding themselves half the time.

jwdieter

My thing is this: for the most part, I love whole fruits and vegetables...but...how processed is processed? I am discovering there is a broad range of options with clean eating. Some people are fine eating something like Baked blue corn tortilla chips (one of my favorites) with salsa. Other people consider that too processed...

I'm just trying to figure out what constitutes eating clean and when it starts to turn into something else.

Why do you care? Are you hosting a "clean eating party"?

MSeel1984

My thing is this: for the most part, I love whole fruits and vegetables...but...how processed is processed? I am discovering there is a broad range of options with clean eating. Some people are fine eating something like Baked blue corn tortilla chips (one of my favorites) with salsa. Other people consider that too processed...

I'm just trying to figure out what constitutes eating clean and when it starts to turn into something else.

Why do you care? Are you hosting a "clean eating party"?

In all honestly it's innocent curiosity. I started looking into more options for Pilates (a workout I thoroughly enjoy). A website an MFP friend of mine referred me to talks a good deal about clean eating. I wanted more information.

Sorry it offends you.

umachanxo

I eat -mostly- clean, or try to at least. I don't consume protein powder anymore - I get my protein from clean foods like you mentioned. Eggs, nuts, meat, etc.

To each their own, I suppose. Eating completely unprocessed and clean may not be doable by some people, and therefore they choose to get more protein in their diet with their whey proteins.

kellyskitties

Careful - we know they are out there watching.... I'm beginning to be afraid to say "clean" my house in my bedroom with the door shut, alone.

I have considered it for a protein boost to help me feel full and get enough protein. But I've not claimed 100% nothing. I just claim to be "ish"

Mark Sisson allows it on Primal diets - might be some insight there. He talks about 80-90% plans also though - so might just be in the 10-20%.

MSeel1984

I eat -mostly- clean, or try to at least. I don't consume protein powder anymore - I get my protein from clean foods like you mentioned. Eggs, nuts, meat, etc.

To each their own, I suppose. Eating completely unprocessed and clean may not be doable by some people, and therefore they choose to get more protein in their diet with their whey proteins.

I can see this maybe with people who follow a vegan diet especially. A person has to get creative to find adequate protein when consuming only fruits and vegetables. *edited to add: Grains as well*

I have nothing against the concept of clean eating, personally-just wanted to learn more. As someone who is obsessed with nuts/nut butters and loves to eat eggs and dairy, I wouldn't be challenged by protein.

I just didn't know if protein powder was actually considered clean or not. I saw a lot of recipes on the forums that use protein powders. I have never purchased it personally because I'm not sure it would all be used.

MSeel1984

Careful - we know they are out there watching.... I'm beginning to be afraid to say "clean" my house in my bedroom with the door shut, alone.

I have considered it for a protein boost to help me feel full and get enough protein. But I've not claimed 100% nothing. I just claim to be "ish"

Mark Sisson allows it on Primal diets - might be some insight there. He talks about 80-90% plans also though - so might just be in the 10-20%.

Thanks for the information!

honeysprinkles

why post this? is it that hard to just worry about your own diet and not what everyone else is eating?

umachanxo

I eat -mostly- clean, or try to at least. I don't consume protein powder anymore - I get my protein from clean foods like you mentioned. Eggs, nuts, meat, etc.

To each their own, I suppose. Eating completely unprocessed and clean may not be doable by some people, and therefore they choose to get more protein in their diet with their whey proteins.

I can see this maybe with people who follow a vegan diet especially. A person has to get creative to find adequate protein when consuming only fruits and vegetables. *edited to add: Grains as well*

I have nothing against the concept of clean eating, personally-just wanted to learn more. As someone who is obsessed with nuts/nut butters and loves to eat eggs and dairy, I wouldn't be challenged by protein.

I just didn't know if protein powder was actually considered clean or not. I saw a lot of recipes on the forums that use protein powders. I have never purchased it personally because I'm not sure it would all be used.

I don't think it is actually a clean food. I think it's one of those things like... seeing cheese in Paleo recipes, for example. Just something that slides by xD