What does “clean eating” mean to you?

prairiequeenbee

Hi all,

Out of curiosity, for those who follow a “clean eating” way of life, what does that actually mean to you?

I’ve heard the term thrown around so loosely and differently that I wanted to see what the consensus from the general population says. (No right or wrong answer in my opinion: language is a living thing, always changing and evolving so no surprise something like this could be fluid too)

(some say clean eating is only eating whole foods, some say vegetarian whole foods, or whole food plant-based, or vegans that are also soy/gluten/sugar free, etc.)

So what’s is to you?

Happy Friday!

cwolfman13

It's a meaningless buzz word. My opinion, cook a lot and eat a lot of whole foods, lean meats, veg, fruit, whole grains, etc...and enjoy some pizza on Friday night.

Getting proper nutrition is important, but it doesn't have to be some all or nothing "clean" proposition. People make nutrition far more difficult than it should be...good nutrition is common sense IMO...people should know what should comprise a large portion of their diets. Hell, even my plate is a reasonably good guide if people actually followed it.

ETA: my wife just made chocolate chip cookies...they're "clean"...they're homemade. I'm having one for desert tonight.

Unicorn_Bacon

Clean eating: washing produce, and cooking meals in clean pots and pans, served on a clean plate or bowl. Lol

L1zardQueen

I don’t like the term. It seems so snobbish to me.

kimny72

To me, "clean eating" means someone is probably putting too much stock in fitness blogs and "natural wellness" brands. Clean eating means whatever the internet expert talking about it wants it to mean.

sijomial

Clean eating = food snobbery with varied and often illogical sets of rules.

corinasue1143

I always wondered what it means, too. Glad you asked.

lemurcat2

prairiequeenbee wrote: »

Out of curiosity, for those who follow a “clean eating” way of life, what does that actually mean to you?

Nothing really, since people use it in such highly variable ways. I think my normal diet fits a "clean eating" pattern from what I've seen from those who use the term, but I don't find it a sensible or helpful concept, especially when it's supposed to be NO processed foods, since I don't think there's anything wrong with plenty of processed foods, don't really see why "NO, never, at any time" is a useful way to approach diet (vs context and moderation), and many of the foods those who claim to be "clean eating" actually eat are, of course, processed (it's especially amusing to me when protein powder is claimed to be non processed).

I think most, not all, who use it largely mean eating a healthful diet and mostly but not entirely from whole foods cooked at home, and in that sense -- like I said -- it's pretty much how I like to eat, but I really don't get the appeal of the term "clean eating," as if other ways of eating are "dirty" or as if diet choice has a moral connotation.

yirara

Nothing.

mmapags

It means someone who uses it is virtue signalling. Other than that, not a damn thing.

Diatonic12

Clean eating vs. dirty eating. We are not better because we eat clean. Framing foods as extra super clean becomes another moral high ground to stand on. Clean Eating beliefs lead to the health halo effect with food. Clean Eating is a made-up rule and it is imaginary thinking.

Mrsindepenant1

My in-laws are vegan and claim they are eating clean but they sure ain’t. Iv read the packaging on their vegan meats, cheese etc and it’s so processed and full of sugars and fillers.
In my opinion clean eating is eating whole unprocessed foods like a variety of meats, veges and fruits, grains and raw dairy.
I don’t really like the term clean eating though, I think it’s important to eat a variety of food and not deprive yourself of things because they are not “clean”. Like seriously what’s a life without pizza and cake....

AnnPT77

I've been accused of clean eating by some who've read my diary here (I think they missed some days ), but I think it's so ill-defined as to be meaningless. I don't (wouldn't) use the term.

I also think, whatever the heck it is, it isn't particularly important. Nutrition - sound, well-rounded nutrition - is important, IMO. So is eating things that, for a particular individual, are filling, tasty, and practical. So is eating the number of calories that results in a healthy weight. Particular food choices to reach those goals? Of minor importance, at most. To me, "clean eating" - in my kindest interpretation - puts food choices on a pedestal.

Personally, what's satisfying/tasty so fits the bill for me is mainly a lot of simple, few- or single-ingredient foods, largely ones humans have been eating for centuries or millennia (some of which are "highly processed" - tofu, say). And a few weird modern foods, including some craft beer.

I'm super skeptical of "food as religion" ways of eating (or rather, ways of thinking and talking about eating). Food is to eat, not to posture about.

cbenno97

I use it as a catch all for basically not eating junk food--this is my definition, not a standard definition since I don't know if there is one. Since junk food is a widely used term, I don't have an issue with the phrase 'clean eating'. To me, it signifies an action I am trying to take to encourage healthier eating. It does not need to come from a place of snobbery or shaming but can come from a place of self health.

manderson27

It means wash your hands and the produce before consuming.

I prefer the term nutritious eating. Which to me means upping your intake of lean meats, fish, fruits and veggies.

But we also need fun food in our lives so cake, biscuits etc are not off my menu as anyone can see from my diary.

amusedmonkey

It doesn't mean anything to me. If it means something to someone, the only definition that would encompass all kinds of clean eating is: "eating foods I consider good for some reason and avoiding foods I consider bad for some reason".

The kinds of foods that are considered good or bad usually depend on the kind of diet media that person consumes and the kind of dieting doctrine they subscribe to, be it a named diet or one of their own creation. There is often a heightened emotional response to certain kinds of food, be it pride and superiority or disgust and guilt.

ruqayyahsmum

Dousing your food in disinfectant before eating?

I follow a WFPB lifestyle due to my health, folks throw phrases like clean eating at me as though its an insult, don't care

Won't use the phrase myself because it's poncey

missysippy930

Not a thing.
Food is food.
Eat what you want keeping in mind nutrition and calorie goals.
“Clean Eating” is a gimmick phrase.

psychod787

lemurcat2 wrote: »

prairiequeenbee wrote: »

Out of curiosity, for those who follow a “clean eating” way of life, what does that actually mean to you?

Nothing really, since people use it in such highly variable ways. I think my normal diet fits a "clean eating" pattern from what I've seen from those who use the term, but I don't find it a sensible or helpful concept, especially when it's supposed to be NO processed foods, since I don't think there's anything wrong with plenty of processed foods, don't really see why "NO, never, at any time" is a useful way to approach diet (vs context and moderation), and many of the foods those who claim to be "clean eating" actually eat are, of course, processed (it's especially amusing to me when protein powder is claimed to be non processed).

I think most, not all, who use it largely mean eating a healthful diet and mostly but not entirely from whole foods cooked at home, and in that sense -- like I said -- it's pretty much how I like to eat, but I really don't get the appeal of the term "clean eating," as if other ways of eating are "dirty" or as if diet choice has a moral connotation.

Agreed ma'am with all of this. I also chuckle at people drinking hydrolyzed whey and saying it's only lightly processed! Just drink the damn milkshake and enjoy...

nighthawk584

I don't use the term....I just concentrate on a nutritionally balanced diet with higher protein and do not deny myself treats in moderation.

Hollis100

prairiequeenbee wrote: »

Hi all,

Out of curiosity, for those who follow a “clean eating” way of life, what does that actually mean to you?

So what’s is to you?

I don't care for the term either, but most of my food is probably in that category.

Last year I was obese, with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I was eating a candy bar and a small bag of potato chips a day (about 1000 calories for both). I cut out that kind of food because when I eat it all the time, I want it all the time.

I don't miss it and don't feel deprived. I can have a bowl of ice cream or piece of cake at a birthday party a few times a year now and don't want more afterwards.

My weight is normal now. I fit in my clothes. My blood pressure and cholesterol numbers are good, too. I don't like to cook, so I tend to eat what I call simple food, like salads with a protein where I know the calories and ingredients. I stay away from high salt, high fat, and added sugar for my health. I don't want to take medication if I can control my health problems myself.

This works for me. I'm not a snob and could care less what other people eat.

glassyo

To me it means getting that slippery m&m off the floor and in my mouth before 5 seconds are up.

yirara

Gosh, there's someone in this thread who disagrees with everyone saying that clean eating is just a stupid label that means nothing.

jelly_potato

The moment I stopped demonizing food, the term stopped meaning much to me. Now, I look for a balance and enjoy what I feel like in moderation and sometimes not. I feel significantly more serene and focused.

lgfrie

I don't get anything out of the term. Most everyone knows the difference between a dinner consisting of a chicken breast, side of broccolini, and some whole grain bread or pasta, with some fresh fruit for dessert, versus a salami, bologne and cheese sub with a side of Fritos and ice cream for desert. I try to eat the former a lot of the time, and the latter some of the time. I don't need a catch-phrase to do that & I'm not clear on whether anyone else does either.

paperpudding

yirara wrote: »

Gosh, there's someone in this thread who disagrees with everyone saying that clean eating is just a stupid label that means nothing.

Well, I guess for some people it is a meaningful term ( I am not one of them)

Would be helpful if they posted to say what it meant in that case though.

lgfrie

glassyo wrote: »

To me it means getting that slippery m&m off the floor and in my mouth before 5 seconds are up.

Once I learned the 10 second "free calories" rule, I applied it to everything from individual m&ms to whole flank steaks slipping off the cutting board.

glassyo

lgfrie wrote: »

glassyo wrote: »

To me it means getting that slippery m&m off the floor and in my mouth before 5 seconds are up.

Once I learned the 10 second "free calories" rule, I applied it to everything from individual m&ms to whole flank steaks slipping off the cutting board.

It's 10 seconds now???? Awesome!