Looking for new friends who quit sugar/eat clean :)
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MarianMarMoi wrote: »I've realised that there seems to be a million different definitions of "clean eating" after having this discussion. In my head it is pretty much the same as eating things that you yourself cook from scratch...
Therein lies the disconnect in every "clean eating" thread.
Ask a keto/low-carb dieter what "clean eating" is.
Ask a low-fat dieter what "clean eating" is.
Ask a Paleo dieter what "clean eating" is.
Ask a vegetarian what "clean eating" is.
Ask a vegan what "clean eating" is.
Ask a "raw" vegan what "clean eating" is.
Ask an IIFYM'er what "clean eating" is.
There will be some overlap in some of those scenarios, but chances are very good that you'll get vastly different answers from the adherents of each diet.
It's similar to the parable of putting six blind men around an elephant - one feels the tail, one feels the trunk, one feels the leg, one feels the stomach, one feels the tusk, one feels the ear. Then they're asked to describe the elephant and each of them come up with completely different answers - and while each one is accurate based upon the context of their limited exposure, none of them accurately describe an elephant as a whole.
Where the discussion goes off the rails is when people think (or sometimes insist) that the only way to lose weight and be healthy is to deprive themselves of a laundry list of foods which are arbitrarily labeled "bad" without considering their context and dosage in the overall diet.
Yes, there are some people who have difficulty with moderation, and there are some people who have "trigger foods" which are seemingly impossible for them to resist. For those types of people, it's undoubtedly better to avoid those foods entirely since they can't moderate them. But there are also people who can do moderation just fine, and can fit those foods into their overall diet in the appropriate context and dosage - and for those people, there's absolutely nothing wrong with what some consider "bad" foods. If your diet consists of an appropriate number of calories consistent with your goal and provides sufficient nutrients, then as Eric Helms (Google him if you're not familiar with the name) says, "Once our nutrient needs are met, we don't get extra credit for eating more nutritious food!".11 -
I'll add you... ignore the know-it-alls on the boards and do what works for you!34
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Yes, I've understood by now that there are many different opinions as to what "clean eating" is and what you says makes perfect sense, @AnvilHead
It is a bit odd that I've never encountered the different variations before, not sure how I managed that, but there's no point in trying to figure that out.
I will leave this thread now since I don't think I contributed to anything good. I did not mean to hijack the thread, sorry about that.3 -
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JerSchmare wrote: »Wildflowers70 wrote: »You know. See the above response to the others. There are all sorts of threads here at MFP. If you aren't interested in eating clean, then spare us. The posters query was for people who WANT to eat clean. Maybe you are assuming that everyone on this site is here to lose weight. It is called My FITNESS Pal and some of us are here to find a path to a fitter healthier self rather than just lose weight. Honey has antioxidants and both honey (58) and maple syrup (54) have a lower glycemic index than table sugar (65). I am not advocating eating any of them by the spoonfuls. I clearly stated that overall I am trying to reduce my sugar intake. Unlike you, I have a credible site to support my information on honey. https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20040618/honey-has-variety-of-health-benefits-news#1 I consider Web MD to be a pretty balanced source of information.
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Answer the question. Sugar is sugar. That’s why it BS to say it’s not. It is. It’s a fact. Pure honey is no better that HFCS.
Pure honey has some benefits as a natural remedy for coughs and seasonal allergies that cane sugar doesn't. Calories and carbohydrates wise, the human body uses the glucose the same way.3 -
MarianMarMoi wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »MarianMarMoi wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »MarianMarMoi wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »MarianMarMoi wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »-
Being a normal weight is the main indicator to good health.
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I'm sorry but I will have to question this part. The only thing being normal weight means is that you eat the right amount of calories. I am normal weight and I've mainly eaten potato crisps for the past years. Even if this doesn't cause me to gain weight, do you think I'm healthy?
Of course everyone choose what they want to eat, but completely denying that some foods are not healthy is not right.
As I said, main indicator.
Eating too much of anything isn't healthy. Eating a little bit of potato chips as part of a balanced diet is fine.
I'm not scared of eating some"unclean" potato chips or a chocolate bar.
I doubt anyone is scared to do so, but is it so terrible if people want to steer away from eating those things? Why bash them?
Where is anyone bashing them?
Maybe I've misunderstood something, but this thread quickly got filled up with people trying to tear down (with lack of a better word) that this was something worth doing. As if we're being silly even wanting to try this out. It's not nice.
I didn't read that at all.
I read people pointing out that no one knows what Clean eating means.
And also pointing out that you don't need to cut out any type of food, that you just have to watch the dose.
About the clean eating. Some people say it is something with three ingredients or less, others say nothing in a box, others say it's raw vegan, others say it's, insert what ever here.
It has no definition.
I didn't know it had so many definitions on here, I've always heard it was whole foods, unprocessed foods or minimally processed foods. I guess I misunderstood the conversation going on because of that, it came across as hostile and belittling to me, but if you say that it is not, I will drop it.
I am cutting out a lot after today because I will binge on whatever I have around me that is salty. It is terrible. Even if I've had a long break from it I will just start again when I allow myself to eat it again.
The only time I've felt free from the craving was when I had zero tolerance towards it, so that is what I will do and I will not look back. Maybe this is silly to others, but it isn't to me.
You know that works for you and that's great. I don't have a problem with cane sugar for baking, but do put honey on my tea because it's got immune system benefits. To some people, that is not clean eating, but it works for me.
I used to work with someone who wanted me to switch my half and half for soy milk. She would not let it go until I explained that I am allergic to soy beans so cow's milk is better for me. It was awful to be in the break room with her because she wouldn't take no for an answer. I am pretty live and let live because what anyone outside my house eats isn't my business.4 -
I'll add you... ignore the know-it-alls on the boards and do what works for you!
Right. Ignore the people who have been there and done that. Ignore the ones who have met their goals and maintained them for years. And instead listen to some BS fad nonsense?
And people wonder why the diet industry makes so much money every year yet the obesity issue never goes away. SMH....25 -
@MarianMarMoi I'm not a clean eater, but if i were to try to explain what it is i would agree with your definition. Minimally processed, fresh/whole foods, no/low added sugar/preservatives etc etc I do get where you're coming from.
Most of us have trigger foods, and i don't blame you one bit for not wanting to bring chips (crisps) into the house, I don't either! Along with anything peanut buttery
I would love to eat a predominantly clean diet, eg cook from scratch every night, eat mainly whole fresh foods, no calorific sweets/junk food, no boxed foods eg easy to grab, cheap/fast low nutrition food etc But that kind of eating takes more time and willpower than i am willing to give it, so i'll just do the best i can for now. But in a perfect world, i would totally adopt that lifestyle.4 -
I hope my post was somewhat clear... We have a new puppy, so am totally sleep deprived, plus we had annoying guests that stayed for a few days that finally just left. I'm a zombified mess right now :sad:2
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RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »Wildflowers70 wrote: »I failed to mention that I have drastically cut back on sugar and avoid refined sugar. I replace the sugar in my recipes with honey or maple syrup. I also have reduced my sodium intake.
What the *kitten* difference does it make if you use white sugar or honey?
Sugar is sugar to your body
honey and maple syrup both have more vitamins and minerals per 100g.9 -
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fuzzylop72 wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »Wildflowers70 wrote: »I failed to mention that I have drastically cut back on sugar and avoid refined sugar. I replace the sugar in my recipes with honey or maple syrup. I also have reduced my sodium intake.
What the *kitten* difference does it make if you use white sugar or honey?
Sugar is sugar to your body
honey and maple syrup both have more vitamins and minerals per 100g.
No they don't.
Other than potassium they contain almost no vitamins and minerals.7 -
I haven't read all the comments but cutting out processed sugar/food and eating more vegetables and clean food is absolutely the best way to live for weight and health! I've got my exercise down but I'm really trying to cut down on sugar, alcohol and rubbishy food! Feel free to add me!15
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Clean eating I think is going back to basics. Pull out the crock pot before going to work put in the ingredients for healthy soup. A good stew. A chicken and veg. and the list goes on and on. I think what happened is we got lazy.8
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LinCharpentier wrote: »Clean eating I think is going back to basics. Pull out the crock pot before going to work put in the ingredients for healthy soup. A good stew. A chicken and veg. and the list goes on and on. I think what happened is we got lazy.
Who is "we"?
I cooked from whole food when I was gaining, as well as when I was losing. It's easy to overeat with homemade meals from whole foods too.
"Clean eating" is just a really vague concept and I'm still not sure what foods are supposed to be "not clean" (see the post above yours" or why it's helpful to bring in this rather moralistic or purity based concept vs. focusing on nutrition.
I think it's important to eat lots of vegetables, and enough protein and healthy fats, and I think one good way to do that is by focusing on cooking balanced meals from whole foods (which I do), but avoiding specific ingredients (and again I find the idea that people were adding lots of sugar to meals, which are typically savory, to be kind of puzzling) does not mean that you are including the foods important to nutrition -- like enough vegetables.
Often meals, including very healthy, satisfying, nutrient-dense meals, may be cooked using some pasta (purchased dried or made at home using flour), olives, olive oil, smoked salmon, and -- yes -- even cheese. Are these supposed to be "unclean" ingredients or not "clean foods" per the prior poster?
I mention that, because there are ways to cook at home using lots of vegetables and mostly whole foods that can be quite caloric. It's easy to also cook lower cal (one reason I think cooking from whole foods can be a really helpful approach), but eschewing packaged meals or whatever does not mean you can't overeat, and not everyone got fat because they were too lazy to cook. (I love cooking, that's one of my problems, as well as something helpful.)11 -
Please feel free to add me. I’m positive that clean, healthy eating is the way for me. Only just starting out but determined to enjoy the journey. I’m eating as fresh and unprocessed as possible. Good luck everyone.2
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kommodevaran wrote: »Maybe you have to cut out your trigger foods, or maybe trying to cut them out is what makes the foods into trigger foods. What's terrible, is feeling miserable and out of control and denying yourself pleasure from something so innocent as food, resulting in overeating when you just can't stand the deprivation anymore - you're not allowing yourself, you're giving in, so you feel like you've failed, and your' not even enjoying it. Maybe your body needs more salt.
I think it's a friendly and loving gesture to point out that what you're trying to do, isn't going to work, and explain why. Even if it can hurt to have your beliefs questioned.
Just wanted to say one thing here - yes, it absolutely can hurt to have one’s beliefs questioned. But the idea that the type of diet mentioned, very strict dieting and such, won’t work? That is a belief too.
It is not an absolute truth that strict dieting will be awful and never work for anyone. It is not even an absolute that people will respond to this type of diet as you described, mentally or emotionally.
It is also provably false just from the example of people on medically restricted diets, if nothing else. Yes, many people do not do well on these diets. Including medically restricted diets, where some folks still go off their diet, because medical restrictions don’t automatically grant folks a higher levels of will power or a different way of viewing our food, you know?
But some people do great on very strict diets. Or, say, repetitive diets, another diet many people think is not sustainable, often.
I guess my point is that saying that something may not turn out as expected, or is often difficult, is one thing.
Saying that something will not work, period, when the impossibility is not based on a physical trait (like not being able to fly without wings) but based on an individual’s internal experience?
That’s not questioning someone’s beliefs, that is simply trying to replace someone’s beliefs with our own, you know? And I think it is not unexpected for that to not feel all that friendly, no matter how well intentioned.
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JerSchmare wrote: »Clean eating isn’t really a thing. I’m afraid this might be a lonely thread.
Don't say that! Here, I'm a clean eater! Religiously count macros and calories, no processed food, no sugar and I workout 6x a week.
iamabeetle and everyone else, I would love to share recipes and experience, motivate each other daily7 -
all4eternity125 wrote: »JerSchmare wrote: »Clean eating isn’t really a thing. I’m afraid this might be a lonely thread.
Don't say that! Here, I'm a clean eater! Religiously count macros and calories, no processed food, no sugar and I workout 6x a week.
iamabeetle and everyone else, I would love to share recipes and experience, motivate each other daily
No added sugar, I assume? Sugar is in vegetables.
How do you define "no processed food"? So far, every person who has claimed that in one of these discussions eats lots of processed foods.
Exercise and counting calories and macros are great, sure, but nothing to do with clean eating.
I'm not sure iamabeetle is around anymore, but I find it odd and kind of interesting that when some of us say "hey, I don't self define as a clean eater but I mostly eat nutrient-dense meals cooked from scratch and would love to share ideas/recipes" that we don't get takers. Nor do I see many self-described clean eaters seeking out the vegetable/fruit challenge (we all aim to eat 10+ servings a day) and wanting to hang out there, even though there is discussion about eating veg there. Is it that you think we'll push our nasty dried pasta and cottage cheese and tofu on you? I really don't get it -- why does it matter if someone self identifies as clean (especially since the diets are often extremely similar) if what is wanted is sharing ideas and support? This is why I suspect it's often more about something else.5 -
all4eternity125 wrote: »JerSchmare wrote: »Clean eating isn’t really a thing. I’m afraid this might be a lonely thread.
Don't say that! Here, I'm a clean eater! Religiously count macros and calories, no processed food, no sugar and I workout 6x a week.
iamabeetle and everyone else, I would love to share recipes and experience, motivate each other daily
I checked out your diary....processed foods and sugars aplenty. Unless there is a Nutella tree no one told me about.17 -
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Pasta and tortillas too -- nothing wrong with those foods, but they are processed foods. Again, I don't know why people claim they don't eat processed foods when they do. It's like creating this pointless and unnecessary standard (no processed foods!), claiming to be better than those who don't claim to have given them up (I'm a cleaner eater than you!), and then breaking the rules anyway (and so feeling bad about foods that are perfectly fine to include in a balanced, healthy diet, I dunno?).
I think it's funny my post saying this was normally the case (people who claim not to eat processed foods really do) was woo'd when I turned out to be right. Or maybe the woo was suggesting that people who don't self define as "clean" might also be interested in eating healthful meals and cooking and sharing ideas? Oh, the mystery!7 -
Maybe it provides meaning and direction to an otherwise dull existence? I too dunno.lemurcat12 wrote: »Pasta and tortillas too -- nothing wrong with those foods, but they are processed foods. Again, I don't know why people claim they don't eat processed foods when they do. It's like creating this pointless and unnecessary standard (no processed foods!), claiming to be better than those who don't claim to have given them up (I'm a cleaner eater than you!), and then breaking the rules anyway (and so feeling bad about foods that are perfectly fine to include in a balanced, healthy diet, I dunno?).3 -
Awesome job on your weight loss so far! I'll send you a friend request0
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I am still around but I felt really discouraged by some of the comments on this thread. I'm here to lose weight and get fit. I'm here to find support and be healthy. I can't do that whilst I'm drowning in back and forth banter and debate about whether what I do is satisfactory to someone else. Some people may not think clean eating is a thing, some may not think it's THEIR thing but it's the ONLY thing that has worked for me and I'm going to keep doing it with or without support.
I'd like to thank those who have inboxed me or added me as a result of this thread. If you have added me, I'm sure you can testify that I don't ram my beliefs or practices down anyone's throat - I just do my thing and I do it well. I've got a long way to go so I appreciate having amazing people around me.
If you eat clean, add me. If you don't, add me. I'd love to have as many positive, supportive and inspiring friends as I can so we can encourage one another on this journey. I have lost a total of 141lb (or 62kg!) so I must be doing something right :P I have another 220lb (or 100kg) to go. Add me if you want to come along for the ride.
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I looked back at my comment on page 1, and think it was unquestionably encouraging and congratulatory, as were many others. However, I think this (from page 4) is worth repeating, and I am really interested in knowing the answer:lemurcat12 wrote: »I find it odd and kind of interesting that when some of us say "hey, I don't self define as a clean eater but I mostly eat nutrient-dense meals cooked from scratch and would love to share ideas/recipes" that we don't get takers. Nor do I see many self-described clean eaters seeking out the vegetable/fruit challenge (we all aim to eat 10+ servings a day) and wanting to hang out there, even though there is discussion about eating veg there. Is it that you think we'll push our nasty dried pasta and cottage cheese and tofu on you? I really don't get it -- why does it matter if someone self identifies as clean (especially since the diets are often extremely similar) if what is wanted is sharing ideas and support? This is why I suspect it's often more about something else.
(And no, I don't push how I eat on people either. I just don't think that eating some tofu means I eat "unclean.") ;-)
Anyway, if you want to chat about meal ideas, I'm interested. Seems like a perfectly good use for a thread.2 -
Your comment was fine, lemurcat. I'm referring to some other comments along with inboxes I have received. My understanding of clean eating is eating whole foods those that minimally processed, refined, and handled. I am no expert on clean eating as I have only been doing it for a few months but like all foods, everything in moderation and even though I consider myself as a clean eater, I have had a slice of pizza here and there in the past 3 months but I don't consider myself as an 'unclean eater' for doing so.2
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I never suggested it was the answer but that combined with exercise is the only thing that has worked for me and I'm really happy I've found something sustainable that I enjoy doing that is helping me get the results I'm after.3
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iamabeetle wrote: »I never suggested it was the answer but that combined with exercise is the only thing that has worked for me and I'm really happy I've found something sustainable that I enjoy doing that is helping me get the results I'm after.
What results are you after? Weight loss? What other methods have you tried that you felt weren't successful? How accurate is your tracking with your current approach? Were you tracking calories previously when you felt you weren't successful?6
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