I heard that eating clean makes you feel better...
tiffanyleilarsen
Posts: 44 Member
When is that supposed to take effect? Has anyone tried it? Did you feel better and if so, when?
I basically feel like garbage all the time. I've only been eating clean for a week and I know that it's probably too soon to see any results... I just want to know where the light at the end of my tunnel is.
I basically feel like garbage all the time. I've only been eating clean for a week and I know that it's probably too soon to see any results... I just want to know where the light at the end of my tunnel is.
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Replies
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What does eating clean mean to you?5
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What does eating clean mean to you?
Not eating anything from pre-made packages or overly processed. No fast food, making all my meals from as raw of a product as I can get.
I wish I could go non-gmo and etc but I live in a small town where that stuff is only available for a very high price.11 -
I definitely prefer my food clean - so I wash my fruit and veges first, and throw out anything dropped on the floor.
Other than that, "clean" is a buzz word that doesn't actually mean anything.33 -
Instead of resorting to something nebulous in an attempt to solve something nebulous, why don't you look into your symptoms? Why are you feeling like garbage? Have you told your doctor?
Clean eating, however you define it, will only solve your problems if your problems are caused by food (allergies, sensitivities, triggers, foods that affect certain conditions, deficiencies...etc), and clean eating just happens to remove the problem food or help you up a nutrient you've been undereating. If it doesn't remove a problem food you won't feel better. If your problem is not food related you won't feel better.
Get to the bottom of your issues then look for a solution. Don't do random things and hope you'll get a lucky shot.19 -
@amusedmonkey is correct. I'm coeliac, and allergic to corn/maize/sugar/pears/apples/grapes and random other stuff. If I eat any of those foods, I feel awful.
Keep a diary of what makes you feel good and what makes you feel bad.
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Have a look into low fodmap foods if you feel something in your food is causing you to feel ill
Ideally you would have a chat with your doctor and a registered dietitian about your concerns, usually they would ask you to do a food diary of what you ate and how it made you feel so they could help you pinpoint which particular foods are causing the problem3 -
There is a lot of hype about "clean eating" and everyone seems to decide what it means to them. Many people just feel better if they lose weight. That could be you. That means getting a digital food scale and weighing and measuring all your food and drink and staying within the daily calorie goal MFP gives you. If, on the other hand, you have a food allergy ,as other posters have suggested, then see your doctor and follow their recommendations.9
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tiffanyleilarsen wrote: »When is that supposed to take effect? Has anyone tried it? Did you feel better and if so, when?
I basically feel like garbage all the time. I've only been eating clean for a week and I know that it's probably too soon to see any results... I just want to know where the light at the end of my tunnel is.
Maybe you’ve cut your calories too low and too drastically? For example if some one used to eat 3000 calories a day and then cut them down to 1400 all of a sudden that’s going to be a shock to the body. What’s your deficit like and how much have you got to lose?3 -
My wife, years ago, had Fibromyalgia. She still does, but back then it was debilitating. She could barely get out of bed, barely function -- literally told me she just wanted to die, many times.
She was told to go gluten free and the doc did allergy testing (she was allergic to cow dairy as well). So we eliminated gluten and dairy together, which by necessity, nearly all processed foods. Turns out I was Celiac in denial! I react God awful if I get the least little glutened (Margarita Mix was the last culprit -- I was sick two days!).
She's so much better now. Even works out 5 or 6 times a week and is enjoying life again. Now, that's not the only change we made, but I truly believe it was the most important one. I'm convinced I'd likely have colon cancer had I not been supportive of her and gone gluten free with her. I had constant signs that I ignored -- blood in the stool (sorry, TMI) and constant eczema all over my back. I haven't ever felt better and I'm 55.
We have also gone nearly off red meat (around once a month or so) and eat plant based three or four days a week.
I would concur with the others -- find out if you have food allergies. My daughter came here to Tucson and was feeling bad for two weeks. We have flowers that grow all over in the Spring. She was thinking it was a food allergy, but it was seasonal pollen allergies. I did buy her an Everlywell Food Sensitivity test (like 130 on sale) and she's going to find out if she has any food sensitivities.11 -
My experience is that people who aren't meeting their nutritional needs feel better once they start meeting them. This doesn't necessarily require "eating clean." Some people can make relatively minor changes to their diet and be able to meet their needs. It all depends on where you're starting from.
I would be concerned by feeling like "garbage." I would wonder: Are you eating enough? Have you eliminated caffeine? Are you eating lower carbohydrate than you were before?18 -
Ditto what others are saying... It can be worth cutting out foods that are common allergies/intolerances if you are not feeling well. For a lot of people, eating "clean" likely does this, though everyone's definition varies. You can reintroduce them and see which don't effect you and which, if any, are a problem.
I was following a diet years ago to check if some of my health issues were a glycemic thing (based on a random book)(worth noting that eating did immediately trigger some of them)... It was a useful test.. Turned out I had no issue eating alls-the-sugar... But wheat definitely was a problem... (a little pasta tempered with other stuff to lower the glycemic index in agreement with that diet=sick, disobeying diet and eating creme brulee in bulk =perfectly fine). Other symptoms I hadn't even associated with those I was trying to fix were also resolved.2 -
(summary: meh on the "clean eating" other than deciphering and avoiding something specific that's an issue. I avoid wheat in more than small non-frequent quantities-bc it does cause issues for me, but nothing else - including lots of processed/packaged food, sugar, splenda, dairy,...)0
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I don't think "eating clean" means much of anything. I do think that eating an overall healthy diet (nutrient dense, calorie appropriate) tends to make people feel better -- it certainly does for me. However, a dramatic shift in diet can actually lead to some digestive issues if you go from low fiber to high fiber (or even just recommended fiber) right away. There are also going to be psychological things that contribute, like if you feel burdened by a new way of eating or a sense of loss vs. feeling excited and enjoying the new way of eating.
And of course if you feel bad there can be many causes unrelated to food choice.8 -
Almost all of my initial efforts to lose weight have had a honeymoon phase where I felt better than I did before. I have no idea what part of that is physical (if any) and what is just in my head. I have often heard people say that eating this way and that way made them feel better but since they never stick to it that phase seems to normally run back into reality.
Some people will have a medical reaction to certain foods. I am not sure how often one of them gets lucky with a random food trial like eating clean but it might happen occasionally.
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janejellyroll wrote: »My experience is that people who aren't meeting their nutritional needs feel better once they start meeting them. This doesn't necessarily require "eating clean." Some people can make relatively minor changes to their diet and be able to meet their needs. It all depends on where you're starting from.
I would be concerned by feeling like "garbage." I would wonder: Are you eating enough? Have you eliminated caffeine? Are you eating lower carbohydrate than you were before?I don't think "eating clean" means much of anything. I do think that eating an overall healthy diet (nutrient dense, calorie appropriate) tends to make people feel better -- it certainly does for me. However, a dramatic shift in diet can actually lead to some digestive issues if you go from low fiber to high fiber (or even just recommended fiber) right away. There are also going to be psychological things that contribute, like if you feel burdened by a new way of eating or a sense of loss vs. feeling excited and enjoying the new way of eating.
And of course if you feel bad there can be many causes unrelated to food choice.
What they said, plus (of course) considering food allergies.
Medical questions (such as "why do I feel like garbage") are for doctors, not for random idiots like me on the internet, but if we knew what you meant by "feel like garbage", we could speculate more specifically about common (non-allergy, non-disease) dietary causes.
Some common ones:
* Fatigue, weakness: Calories too low, trying to lose weight too fast, excessive exercise for current fitness level
* Flu-like symptoms (that can't be flu or something worse): Electrolyte imbalance, possibly induced by dramatically reduced carbs without compensation on the electrolyte side
* Headaches: Significantly reduced caffeine
* Frequent urination, bladder pressure: Drinking way too much water based on bad internet advice
* Constipation: Sudden dramatic increase in fiber intake, too-low fat intake, too-low water consumption for amount of fiber
* Diarrhea: A lot of the same things as constipation, actually, or their exact opposite (too little fiber, to high fat, etc.)
* Faintness, dizziness: Too low calories, blood sugar weirdness because of sudden dietary change
* Menstrual cycle/hormonal weirdness: Too low calories for a longish time, too low fat consumption, overexercise
Those aren't all the possible symptoms (by far), and those aren't all the potential (non-disease) triggers, just a small sample off the top of my head.
The point is, if you gave us more details, we might have better ideas (your current size, calorie goal, exercise type/duration/frequency, what "clean" means very specifically (as in what's a typical eating day), whether you're doing other things like keto or intermittent fasting, are you taking any new supplements . . . ?).
Good nutrition is important, and should (long-term) improve one's general sense of well-being, if the prior way of eating was sub-par. The things people often think of as "clean" are anything from minor pluses to irrelevant to potentially negative, depending on the person, and on the details of the eating.
But for true "feeling like garbage": Doctor.12 -
When I first started weight loss I felt horrible too.
First off, I was 80 pounds over weight. I was eating crap food every day. I pretty much lived on pizza, burgers, wings, fried food, ice cream, etc. Once I started losing weight I naturally stopped eating those things so frequently.
That process continued on throughout my weight loss. I did lose that 80 pounds and I've kept it off for 13 years now. I feel great. I make sure I'm getting my nutrients. I eat a lot of whole fruits and vegetables, and then varied protein sources, grains, nuts, legumes, dairy, oils. Nothing is really off-limits but I naturally avoid things that make my weight maintenance more difficult.
I exercise a minimum o six hours per week at a moderate level. I'm older, so it's fairly benign stuff.
It was a decision I made to stay at this weight, and everything I do is in support of that decision.7 -
Yes, clean eating makes me feel good. I try not to deprive myself though.
Favorite Breakfast: Avocado toast with an egg over easy.
Favorite Lunch: Spaghetti squash with meatballs and spaghetti sauce and parmesan cheese
Favorite Dinner: A bowl with romaine lettuce, yellow rice, whatever veggies I have on hand, shredded chicken, 1 tablespoon of sour cream and smashed avocado.
I consider this clean eating and I love it.
Good luck on your journey.7 -
I've actually no idea what eating clean is, but will take the stated definition at face value: eating less processed food and junk food. It seems like a fine idea, but you're probably expecting too much from it in the short term, as dietary changes are really more long-term investments in your future health. Things that make most people feel waaaaaay better pretty quickly are losing weight and getting regular exercise. You can do both of those things without eating particularly clean. I don't mean to disparage healthy eating; it's obviously a good thing to do, as our parents told us when we were kids begging for corn dogs and ice cream. But if your goal is weight loss and feeling better, calorie control and exercise are the two big power tools in the shed; "eating clean" is a garden trowel.
Like @cmriverside I'm an older dude who does an hour a day of moderate cardio. Now that, I would call truly life transformative. I'm like a completely different person, mood and energy-level wise, when I get my hour of cardio every day, versus before I started dieting, when I got no exercise at all.
If you just started a diet and don't feel great, odds are it's an adjustment to the lower calorie level and/or eating different kinds of foods than you ate before. For instance, maybe you were getting a lot more sugar and caffeine from fast/processed food and drinks, and now you're not getting those and feel sluggish. Diet lethargy should pass in time or at least even out as you adjust. If you still feel this way in a month, maybe a trip to the dr would be a good idea.11 -
... who does an hour a day of moderate cardio. Now that, I would call truly life transformative. I'm like a completely different person, mood and energy-level wise, when I get my hour of cardio every day, versus before I started dieting, when I got no exercise at all.
So much this! (excepting food allergies), Whether I've gotten decent exercise in plays a much, much, much larger role in how I'm feeling than what I've eaten... And fitting that in around a work schedule and other responsibilities can often be much easier with a diet having a larger amount of processed foods. (I've had more than my share of Clif/protein bar + yogurt/peanut butter single dinners in my car rushing from work to a group run/ride, and feel so much better for having that activity).4 -
Like @cmriverside I'm an older dude who does an hour a day of moderate cardio. Now that, I would call truly life transformative. I'm like a completely different person, mood and energy-level wise, when I get my hour of cardio every day, versus before I started dieting, when I got no exercise at all.
As someone who has tried a bunch of ways of life over the years, including eating "clean" without exercise, exercising without eating "clean," doing it all at once, and not doing either, I will say that for me personally, exercise is 1,000% more impactful to my energy, mood, and overall sense of wellbeing than avoiding certain foods. If I had to choose between a year of giving up exercise or living on freeze-dried and snack foods, I'd keep exercising.
I'm not saying that food doesn't have an impact. I think there are certain nutritional goals we need to hit in order to feel our best. I just don't think those goals require the various restrictions that fall under the "clean" category. What I've read about human evolution and my own experiences do make me doubtful that we can truly feel our best without including regular physical activity in our lives.10 -
I definitely prefer my food clean - so I wash my fruit and veges first, and throw out anything dropped on the floor.
Other than that, "clean" is a buzz word that doesn't actually mean anything.
I liked your post but I do have disagree with one point; three second rule for stuff on the floor, and especially chocolate! 😀8 -
claireychn074 wrote: »I definitely prefer my food clean - so I wash my fruit and veges first, and throw out anything dropped on the floor.
Other than that, "clean" is a buzz word that doesn't actually mean anything.
I liked your post but I do have disagree with one point; three second rule for stuff on the floor, and especially chocolate! 😀
I heard they upped it to 5 seconds.8 -
I think the 'seconds rule' is a bit like the clean eating definition.
Just like clean eating means whatever you want it to mean - the number of seconds is whatever you want it to be
But of course it is always longer for chocolate than, say, lettuce
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paperpudding wrote: »I think the 'seconds rule' is a bit like the clean eating definition.
Just like clean eating means whatever you want it to mean - the number of seconds is whatever you want it to be
But of course it is always longer for chocolate than, say, lettuce
But shorter for meat and cheese, if you have nimble pets.8 -
oh, yes - the count to 5 or whatever is irelevant if you have a dog - before you get to 2, the piece is gone
speaks from personal experience 2 -
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iuoyuwwrmlioxneunm wrote: »Isn't clean eating healthy eating? Like low sodium, low saturated fat, low sugar and white processed carbs? Basically what doctors tell you to avoid?
I have heard the term "clean eating" from bodybuilding books before, but I guess there was never really a tangible definition floating around.
That diet reminds me of this
The only problem is it still has dihydrogen monoxide. That stuff is EVERYWHERE!7 -
iuoyuwwrmlioxneunm wrote: »Isn't clean eating healthy eating? Like low sodium, low saturated fat, low sugar and white processed carbs? Basically what doctors tell you to avoid?
I have heard the term "clean eating" from bodybuilding books before, but I guess there was never really a tangible definition floating around.
There isn't an accepted, official definition AFAIK, and there're certainly massive differences of opinion among regular folks who use the term.
I'd argue that "healthy eating" is generally nutritious eating, and a matter of overall consumption patterns (not individual virtuous foods, considered one at a time); but that many or most definitions of "clean eating" add on additional specific rules that likely have negligible effect on health, as a practical matter.
The nutritional difference between white rice (argubly a "processed white carb") and brown rice, for example, especially in normal dietary amounts, is very minor. And that's without getting into some of the even more questionable levels of definitional detail I've seen occasionally (things about purchasing foods with more than 5 ingredients no matter what those ingredients were, including ingredients a person can't pronounce as if one's vocabulary were a nutritional yardstick, etc.)
IIRC, someone around here used to keep a list of all the different definitions of "clean eating" from various threads. It was pretty fun. Also fun were some threads in the bad old "mean people" days, when it came out that some of the folks waving the "clean eating" flag in threads were actually upholding the eating-purity standards they advocated much less well or consistently than some of the less "clean"-rules focussed people who were arguing that "clean" wasn't terribly important. (Context and dosage matter.) Good times.9 -
iuoyuwwrmlioxneunm wrote: »Isn't clean eating healthy eating? Like low sodium, low saturated fat, low sugar and white processed carbs? Basically what doctors tell you to avoid?
It has 80-trillion different definitions and usually is nothing like normal healthful eating. Most often it's asserted to be "NO PROCESSED FOOD" by people who claim to be clean eating while eating lots of processed foods (which is fine since plenty of processed foods are nutrient dense or easily can be part of a nutrient dense meal). That's why I think the term is mostly just some form of virtue signaling.
Many "clean eaters" will even argue that sat fat is the best fat, sodium in any amount is fine, and veg are not important. Some might claim that McD's is not processed if you just eat the burgers without buns and avoid fries.
On the whole, I think the main difference between "clean eaters" and people who care about nutrition is that clean eaters focus on 100% excluding certain foods (and often think that's sufficient, even if they continue to eat no veg or whatever), whereas people focused on nutrition care about, you know, having an overall diet that is nutritious. My impression is a lot of "clean eaters" came from a diet that was both extremely ultra processed (lots of fast food or what not, lots of grocery store sweets) and pretty low nutrient, and often aren't really fans of veg, and think that excluding the things they used to overeat = virtue and the be-all, end-all of nutrition, but often aren't very educated on what a nutritious diet actually is. That would be fine, except they often have an annoying habit of assuming everyone who doesn't claim to "eat clean" eats extremely poorly, which is, of course, false. I find that a huge percentage of those who care about nutrition get the concept of moderation and dosage and so on.
I continue to think that what one includes in ones diet (i.e., lots of veg, some fruit, sufficient protein, healthy fats) is more important than whether one excludes processed items or added sugar or whatever else. You know, from a nutrition and health standpoint.11 -
IIRC, someone around here used to keep a list of all the different definitions of "clean eating" from various threads.
There: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10337480/what-is-clean-eating3
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