Clean eating- does it matter?
RedheadedPrincess14
Posts: 415 Member
My view is yes. I eat a super clean diet Within my calorie range and I am losing more then a pound a week (even though I'm not overweight) I'm 5"8 and started at about 160 and now I'm at 138. It's been super easy and my skin and hair look great.
My best friend is focusing only on calories and she is losing too but she always feels hungry, her nails are breaking too and she gets moody. So I think clean eating is super important during weight loss. What do you guys think?
P.S. my food diary is open if you want to look and friend adds are welcome
My best friend is focusing only on calories and she is losing too but she always feels hungry, her nails are breaking too and she gets moody. So I think clean eating is super important during weight loss. What do you guys think?
P.S. my food diary is open if you want to look and friend adds are welcome
25
Replies
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It does not matter for weight loss - you'll lose just as much or as little with "clean" calories or "junk" calories. "Health" is a whole other matter.
^^so many necessary quotes. Gah.19 -
Maybe she is not eating enough, especially her protein intake. You could help her.15
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Some people always feel hungry when losing no matter what they eat. The mix of foods that will result in satiety while eating below maintenance calories can vary from person to person.
Me, I'm doing great, and I'm not eating clean at all.19 -
Nope, it doesn't hurt, but it also doesn't matter. I don't eat "clean". I'm losing fine.
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It might help to clarify which version of clean eating we're talking about.
Calories matter for weight loss. Good nutrition matters for things like hunger and health. But those can both be achieved with or without a "clean" diet.
Your diary shows a really low fat intake. I just want to be sure you're being smart about that because I can't imagine keeping my fat that low (and I have to stay low fat without my gallbladder).
Best of luck with your goals! :flowerforyou:24 -
No, eating "clean" (whatever that means) doesn't matter.
However yes, if she isn't getting the nutrients she needs while eating at a lower calorie level, she is going to feel some effects from that. She needs to make sure she is getting enough carbs, protein, fat, vitamins, etc and overall calories. I wouldn't be surprised if she isn't eating enough.
Anecdotal, but I do not eat "clean" and I am not suffering any of the effects you've listed.13 -
Some people always feel hungry when losing no matter what they eat. The mix of foods that will result in satiety while eating below maintenance calories can vary from person to person.
Me, I'm doing great, and I'm not eating clean at all.
This^
There is no point in eating "clean" whatever the definition - for me. That's not how I will manage my weight loss. I'm in the majority in that I have lost weight & re-gained. No more temporary changes for me.8 -
I feel/look/perform best eating mostly nutritious foods, hitting a balance of macros with treats fit in as I please.
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diannethegeek wrote: »It might help to clarify which version of clean eating we're talking about.
Calories matter for weight loss. Good nutrition matters for things like hunger and health. But those can both be achieved with or without a "clean" diet.
Your diary shows a really low fat intake. I just want to be sure you're being smart about that because I can't imagine keeping my fat that low (and I have to stay low fat without my gallbladder).
Best of luck with your goals! :flowerforyou:
I have to eat low fat because fat cause my skin to break out and give me breakouts but I make sure I get my omegas from my greens on chronometer and if I don't, I'll have a tbsp of seeds. All my blood work is perfect for the first time in my life. I think eating clean just helps you feel full. For example, I'm going to feel a lot more full on a giant salad then two Oreos so I feel like it would be harder to feel full without eating clean
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RedheadedPrincess14 wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »It might help to clarify which version of clean eating we're talking about.
Calories matter for weight loss. Good nutrition matters for things like hunger and health. But those can both be achieved with or without a "clean" diet.
Your diary shows a really low fat intake. I just want to be sure you're being smart about that because I can't imagine keeping my fat that low (and I have to stay low fat without my gallbladder).
Best of luck with your goals! :flowerforyou:
I have to eat low fat because fat cause my skin to break out and give me breakouts but I make sure I get my omegas from my greens on chronometer and if I don't, I'll have a tbsp of seeds. All my blood work is perfect for the first time in my life. I think eating clean just helps you feel full. For example, I'm going to feel a lot more full on a giant salad then two Oreos so I feel like it would be harder to feel full without eating clean
You know you could have a smaller salad and eat the Oreo.33 -
Why wouldn't you be able to eat healthy food for the rest of your life?Some people always feel hungry when losing no matter what they eat. The mix of foods that will result in satiety while eating below maintenance calories can vary from person to person.
Me, I'm doing great, and I'm not eating clean at all.
This^
There is no point in eating "clean" whatever the definition - for me. That's not how I will manage my weight loss. I'm in the majority in that I have lost weight & re-gained. No more temporary changes for me.
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RedheadedPrincess14 wrote: »My view is yes. I eat a super clean diet Within my calorie range and I am losing more then a pound a week (even though I'm not overweight) I'm 5"8 and started at about 160 and now I'm at 138. It's been super easy and my skin and hair look great.
My best friend is focusing only on calories and she is losing too but she always feels hungry, her nails are breaking too and she gets moody. So I think clean eating is super important during weight loss. What do you guys think?
I personally think eating a good diet (nutrient dense, balanced, sating, enough protein and healthy fat) is important for health and for me for compliance. I also think exercise is important for the same reasons. You can lose weight without either, but it's not for me.
I don't think eating "clean" means anything or is important at all. Many of the foods I think are helpful in eating a healthful diet, like olive oil, olives, smoked salmon, cottage cheese, plain greek yogurt, I could go on and on, are not "clean," and even eating out at, say, Pret occasionally or going to a good local restaurant fits in my goals and healthful diet. Having something more indulgent occasionally like homemade pulled pork or bacon or cheese or ice cream or naan also can. IMO it's about overall diet and understanding nutrition, not cutting out specific foods as inherently bad always and in all amounts.12 -
RedheadedPrincess14 wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »It might help to clarify which version of clean eating we're talking about.
Calories matter for weight loss. Good nutrition matters for things like hunger and health. But those can both be achieved with or without a "clean" diet.
Your diary shows a really low fat intake. I just want to be sure you're being smart about that because I can't imagine keeping my fat that low (and I have to stay low fat without my gallbladder).
Best of luck with your goals! :flowerforyou:
I have to eat low fat because fat cause my skin to break out and give me breakouts but I make sure I get my omegas from my greens on chronometer and if I don't, I'll have a tbsp of seeds. All my blood work is perfect for the first time in my life. I think eating clean just helps you feel full. For example, I'm going to feel a lot more full on a giant salad then two Oreos so I feel like it would be harder to feel full without eating clean
But those of us who don't eat clean can still eat a giant salad. We just sometimes have some Oreos too. Fullness and satiety is highly individual. For instance, I need some fat in my diet to feel full (and for hormone balance and stuff). You seem to feel full with more veggies like a volume eater. That wouldn't do it for me.
Don't make the mistake of believing us non-clean eaters don't eat our veggies too. I had a huge bowl of bell peppers, corn, black beans, tomatoes, onions, ground turkey, quinoa, and salsa last night for dinner. I just also had some green tea ice cream afterward to balance it.
Clean eating (whatever it means to you, we still haven't clarified which definition we're using) can be helpful. But it's not the only way to get good nutrition.17 -
Maybe. In order to get sufficient vitamins and minerals, you're going to have to dip into "clean eating" a little bit (whole grains, sufficient fruit and vegetables) but being extremist about it is just going to complicate things. Heck, sometimes processed stuff is better than fresh. Frozen and canned fruit/vegetables retain more of their vitamins than fresh fruit/vegetables. Unless you're getting it directly and promptly from the farm, the vitamins have already degraded significantly.
"University of California studies show that vegetables can lose 15 to 55 percent of vitamin C, for instance, within a week. Some spinach can lose 90 percent within the first 24 hours after harvest."3 -
BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »No, eating "clean" (whatever that means) doesn't matter.
However yes, if she isn't getting the nutrients she needs while eating at a lower calorie level, she is going to feel some effects from that. She needs to make sure she is getting enough carbs, protein, fat, vitamins, etc and overall calories. I wouldn't be surprised if she isn't eating enough.
Anecdotal, but I do not eat "clean" and I am not suffering any of the effects you've listed.
We're eating almost the exact same number of calories but she's eating small portions of junk. Nothing healthy of big enough to fill up a stomach
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RedheadedPrincess14 wrote: »BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »No, eating "clean" (whatever that means) doesn't matter.
However yes, if she isn't getting the nutrients she needs while eating at a lower calorie level, she is going to feel some effects from that. She needs to make sure she is getting enough carbs, protein, fat, vitamins, etc and overall calories. I wouldn't be surprised if she isn't eating enough.
Anecdotal, but I do not eat "clean" and I am not suffering any of the effects you've listed.
We're eating almost the exact same number of calories but she's eating small portions of junk. Nothing healthy of big enough to fill up a stomach
It sounds like you've found what's satiating for you and she hasn't yet. She may need to play around with macros and food choices until she finds something better. But I don't think you can draw any conclusions from your experience about what everyone else needs to do.13 -
RedheadedPrincess14 wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »It might help to clarify which version of clean eating we're talking about.
Calories matter for weight loss. Good nutrition matters for things like hunger and health. But those can both be achieved with or without a "clean" diet.
Your diary shows a really low fat intake. I just want to be sure you're being smart about that because I can't imagine keeping my fat that low (and I have to stay low fat without my gallbladder).
Best of luck with your goals! :flowerforyou:
I have to eat low fat because fat cause my skin to break out and give me breakouts but I make sure I get my omegas from my greens on chronometer and if I don't, I'll have a tbsp of seeds. All my blood work is perfect for the first time in my life. I think eating clean just helps you feel full. For example, I'm going to feel a lot more full on a giant salad then two Oreos so I feel like it would be harder to feel full without eating clean
That is fine, but maybe not everyone's goal. At your cal intake and for some people, ya maybe important to feel full. I hate feeling too full, blah. Also I typically diet/cut at a much higher cal level so I have way more room for things that aren't filling. I will usually have a treat at the end of the day because, why not. I am not hungry, it feels good, keeps me happy and on track. Especially if I already hit my protein goals, healthy fats, had lots of veggies, fibre etc. If that is not something that works for you, then keep doing what you are doing. But it works for me3 -
RedheadedPrincess14 wrote: »
Why wouldn't you be able to eat healthy food for the rest of your life?Some people always feel hungry when losing no matter what they eat. The mix of foods that will result in satiety while eating below maintenance calories can vary from person to person.
Me, I'm doing great, and I'm not eating clean at all.
This^
There is no point in eating "clean" whatever the definition - for me. That's not how I will manage my weight loss. I'm in the majority in that I have lost weight & re-gained. No more temporary changes for me.
If you can go the rest of your life without eating a cupcake, um... good for you, but I sure can't - and won't.27 -
Not for losing weight, but it does matter for other health concerns.
For example, because my family has a history of macular degeneration, my optometrist recommended that I eat more leafy greens like kale and spinach. They have nutrients that lessen the risk. Although you can get the same vitamins in pill form, he said the body more readily absorbed them from actual food. (He also specified that raw spinach was better than cooked spinach.)
(Definitions of "clean eating" vary, so it's an inexact question in a sense.)1 -
No clean eating here, and I don't feel hungry. My nails and mood are fine too. Clean eating only matters if it makes dieting easier for you, beyond individual preference it's not important. What you are talking about is "does good nutrition matter?" well yes it does. You don't have to eat clean (by any definition) in order to get enough nutrients and you can absolutely feel hungry or have bad nails if you eat clean but don't consume foods that satisfy you or if you skimp on important nutrients.7
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There is no scientific evidence to support benefits of "clean" eating. Note that this is largely to do lack of a definition of "clean".
As long as you are hitting your macros it really makes no difference. Much of these observations are mere correlation and not linked to diet.7 -
So you are judging your friend for her eating habits and feeling superior due to your clean eating? That doesn't sound very friendly.
She probably needs to eat more. If she's eating 1300 calories like you, it's probable that it isn't enough for her and she'd be happier and more successful eating more, and losing weight at a slower pace. It will also make for an easier transition back to "normal" once she reaches her goal.19 -
OP - what is your breakfast you always log with n. yeast, zucchini, kale, mushrooms, and a raw potato? is it some sort of salad? smoothie? just curious because if you like it enough to eat i every day i want to know what the heck that even is!2
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for weightloss? nah. it's about calorie deficit. but for everything else? i feel like it's purely individual.5
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"clean eating" is not necessary, nor is it always healthy imo. I think there is more to good health than what you put in your mouth, and the negative relationship that "clean eaters" often develop towards foods is not mentally healthy.
Your friend may be existing on all "junk", and showing signs of being unhealthy, but that's not a sign that you must be a "clean" eater to be healthy. There is a level of moderation in the middle where you can eat a nutritious diet, with a range of foods, that includes whatever treat foods you enjoy (that wouldn't be clean, but shouldn't be demonised)8 -
What you eat doesn't matter when it comes to weight loss but it does to overall health. However, I don't agree with eating clean 100% of the time for optimum health and well being. As soon as we start labelling food as good and bad and start eliminating enjoyed foods from our diets we can begin an unhealthy relationship with food. For most of us this will intensity cravings and make us more prone to binging.
I firmy believe that our diet should consist of at least 80% fresh, unprocessed or lightly processed, whole foods like fruit, veges, legumes, nuts, meat, dairy and whole grains etc. Leave the rest for foods that don't fit into this catergory that you really enjoy. Better off having a cookie a day than feel that you can't and eat an entire packet in one sitting only to be riddled with guilt afterwards.7 -
"Clean" and "junk" are loaded, arbitrary terms.23
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Yes, it 100% matters, for instance, I eat healthy. I ate one cancer meal (taco bell) and broke out in sweat throwing up for hours. If I eat a slice of cake I get horrid acne. Actually, anything that has no good nutrition sends me into oblivion, I will get sick, depressed and acne. Not to mention I hate the taste of white bread, white rice and fried foods. The flavors are nasty, I don't understand why some people enjoy the taste, I honestly think they pretend to like it because they don't want to make effort in eating healthy. White bread tastes like paper... unless they have weird taste buds its a strange concept to me. I will say sugar is different though, it tastes AMAZING... and sometimes its worth the acne and migraine3
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cassandrarodriguez89 wrote: »Yes, it 100% matters, for instance, I eat healthy. I ate one cancer meal (taco bell) and broke out in sweat throwing up for hours. If I eat a slice of cake I get horrid acne. Actually, anything that has no good nutrition sends me into oblivion, I will get sick, depressed and acne. Not to mention I hate the taste of white bread, white rice and fried foods. The flavors are nasty, I don't understand why some people enjoy the taste, I honestly think they pretend to like it because they don't want to make effort in eating healthy. White bread tastes like paper... unless they have weird taste buds its a strange concept to me. I will say sugar is different though, it tastes AMAZING... and sometimes its worth the acne and migraine
Oh boy... so many questions... I'll start with...
What's a "cancer meal"?
Why does white bread, white rice, or even fried foods get labeled "no good nutrition"?32 -
cassandrarodriguez89 wrote: »Yes, it 100% matters, for instance, I eat healthy. I ate one cancer meal (taco bell) and broke out in sweat throwing up for hours. If I eat a slice of cake I get horrid acne. Actually, anything that has no good nutrition sends me into oblivion, I will get sick, depressed and acne. Not to mention I hate the taste of white bread, white rice and fried foods. The flavors are nasty, I don't understand why some people enjoy the taste, I honestly think they pretend to like it because they don't want to make effort in eating healthy. White bread tastes like paper... unless they have weird taste buds its a strange concept to me. I will say sugar is different though, it tastes AMAZING... and sometimes its worth the acne and migraine
Please don't assume you preferences are universal. White bread taste fine to me, as does taco bell. If you are that sensitive to food, than eat accordingly, but don't assume everyone is.
I don't eat clean. I eat better than I did and I'm satisfied with the results.27
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