How do you keep your food intake "Clean"?

CrusherKun

I have been on my journey for the past 4 months with awesome results. As i begin my new workout regiment that a RL buddy is helping me put together for Strength Training, I keep hearing him, and others through research, mention "keeping it clean". Now being the noob i am, i assume i know what they are all saying cause no one ever really says what they mean, but, I want to get a feel from my new extended family.....

What does "keeping it clean" mean for you in terms of nutritional intake?!?!

CK

MelanieAanonson

No more (or minimalize) processed crap! If you cant pronounce the names of the ingredients or the list takes up half the label, you shouldn't be putting it in your body. Clean eating typically increases performance. This can be taken to a "whole" foods diet or to a "paleo" diet. (Diet as in what you put in your body - NOT diet as in cutting back on calories until your light headed all the time and cant get 30 minutes in at the gym) Many ways to go about this and different things work for different people. Find what works best for your body.

thekyleo

absolutely nothing, there is no such thing as a "clean" food. you can have what you want in moderation

Kissybiz

There are a variety of nutritional paths depending on who you are and what your needs are. I think keeping it clean just means whatever nutritional plans/requirements you are on, you stick to that. Keeping it clean for me means no junk.. everything I eat must be nutritionally dense and within my daily requirements based on the macros I've established on here and alcohol to a minimum. It might mean something else to someone else.

bcattoes

Not eating too much junk food. Eat nutrient dense foods most of the time. Some people claimn to stick strictly to 'clean' foods (whole natural foods), but most add a few not-so-clean foods in now and then.

thekyleo

I have been on my journey for the past 4 months with awesome results. As i begin my new workout regiment that a RL buddy is helping me put together for Strength Training, I keep hearing him, and others through research, mention "keeping it clean". Now being the noob i am, i assume i know what they are all saying cause no one ever really says what they mean, but, I want to get a feel from my new extended family.....

What does "keeping it clean" mean for you in terms of nutritional intake?!?!

CK

Check out IIFYM (if it fits your macro's) everyone from athlete's, body builders and everyday people like you and me have used it to transform their bodies.

topazora

Eating clean is just making sure you have a varied and balanced diet: fruit, veggies, lean meats, complex carbs... and leaving out all the processed foods like mac'n'cheese and ramen. But that should only be a concern if you want healthy skin, hair, longevity and **** like that. If you want to lose weight, just watch how much you eat and eat in moderation.
Personally, I like eating junk food. And the key to healthy eating is what you eat, not what you don't eat. You can eat a serving a hohos every day, and still be healthy, so long as you're eating veggies and fruit. So yeah, its making sure I get the nutrients my body needs to function well. I'm still going to eat poptarts though.

JoRocka

I wash all my hands and food before I eat it.

thekyleo

Eating clean is just making sure you have a varied and balanced diet: fruit, veggies, lean meats, complex carbs... and leaving out all the processed foods like mac'n'cheese and ramen. But that should only be a concern if you want healthy skin, hair, longevity and **** like that. If you want to lose weight, just watch how much you eat and eat in moderation.
Personally, I like eating junk food. And the key to healthy eating is what you eat, not what you don't eat. You can eat a serving a hohos every day, and still be healthy, so long as you're eating veggies and fruit. So yeah, its making sure I get the nutrients my body needs to function well. I'm still going to eat poptarts though.

^ this

ZiezieO

There are some chemicals/minerals/ingredients that push back on measurements and visual results - sodium and processed sugars usually get the blame.

Abs are made in the kitchen. But truthfully portion control and moderation are key to getting rid of flab.

SunShineBeastess

I try and follow as close to Paleo nutrition as possible = try and eat as little or no processed food as possible. Paleo = if a caveman was alive how or what would he eat. No grocery store bag food etc. I too have had great success with this down 40 pounds and 25 inches. I also watch my carb intake, but with working out we still need 150g minimum or so porbably more for a guy. Good Luck on continued sucess!!! You got this! Read the websit "Mark's Daily Apple".

Sandy

bluetuesday5

Clean to me means tracking calories and macros and keeping food to a minimum. Dirty is eat as much of and whatever you like. Nice way to gain 20lbs in 5 weeks.

TX_Rhon

I wash all my hands and food before I eat it.

^^ along with eating from a clean fork and plate. :drinker:

thekyleo

Clean to me means tracking calories and macros and keeping food to a minimum. Dirty is eat as much of and whatever you like. Nice way to gain 20lbs in 5 weeks.

uhh food to a minimum? Dafuq?

FitNurseLex

I don't. I just eat food lol. I hate this term. Just eat better in general (more fruits, veggies, whole grains). Enough w/the labels! I simply balance my diet now. I eat lower calorie foods most of the time, but I still have "cheat" days. Treat it like a lifestyle change. Eat in a fashion that you can sustain for the rest of your life, while still maintaining your weight and staying healthy.

thekyleo

I don't. I just eat food lol. I hate this term. Just eat better in general (more fruits, veggies, whole grains). Enough w/the labels! I simply balance my diet now. I eat lower calorie foods most of the time, but I still have "cheat" days. Treat it like a lifestyle change. Eat in a fashion that you can sustain for the rest of your life, while still maintaining your weight and staying healthy.

^She knows what's up

BlueBombers

absolutely nothing, there is no such thing as a "clean" food. you can have what you want in moderation

^ This. Just try not to eat as much crap.

CrusherKun

I wash all my hands and food before I eat it.

^^ along with eating from a clean fork and plate. :drinker:

I was about to respond "theres always one" - but i quickly was shown the err of my judgment...."Theres always two or more:)"

mcibty

"Clean" means something different to everyone. I've been eating my own version of 'clean' for a month now, purely for nutrition reasons, not to lose more weight, and I honestly feel amazing. I eat whole foods, organic, lean proteins, etc. As little processed food as possible. I think what I go for though is 'basic eating'; I don't add a tablespoon of sauce here or fifty different seasonings and extra ingredients. If I'm having chicken and veggies for dinner, then that's exactly what I'm having.

This doesn't mean I feel guilty about the occasional burger and beer, though!

SoTiredOfMe

I disagree. Eating clean means eating mostly non-processed foods, meaning that there IS something called clean eating. Of course, any human being is going to eat the occasional candy and cake, but that's up to what you can handle or want to put in your system. It's not something you can do over night. Small changes make lasting results.

MizTerry

Washing your hands before you eat. That usually helps.

SugaryLynx

Clean food to me means it's not expired, it's washed if necessary...not usually found in trash.

thekyleo

I disagree. Eating clean means eating mostly non-processed foods, meaning that there IS something called clean eating. Of course, any human being is going to eat the occasional candy and cake, but that's up to what you can handle or want to put in your system. It's not something you can do over night. Small changes make lasting results.

what do you consider non processed?

bcattoes

Paleo = if a caveman was alive how or what would he eat.

If a caveman was alive today he'd be shoveling in the processed food as quickly as he could. He was on opportunist who ate whatever he could get his hands on, as often as possible.

He would eat beans and ice cream and pizza and probably live at the drive thru where the nice people handed him a bag full of hot food out a window.

FailVibe

Simple - I don't.


I don't believe it makes a difference in the end if I eat two cookies on a saturday night, or if I eat something fried in butter instead of olive oil.

misschoppo

absolutely nothing, there is no such thing as a "clean" food. you can have what you want in moderation

^this. I eat whatever I like but weigh everything and aim to meet my macros. The majority of the time I naturally gravitate toward unprocessed nutrient dense options & I love cooking and preparing all my own meals so mostly use fresh produce, but if I want something pre-prepared or processed I'll have it so long as it fits in. Likewise, if I take the time to bake a filthy great big death-by-chocolate cake for my family or friends you can damn well be sure I'll be enjoying it with them, not watching them eat it without me

Lleldiranne

I wash all my hands and food before I eat it.

You stole my answer

Cindyinpg

I don't. I just eat food lol. I hate this term. Just eat better in general (more fruits, veggies, whole grains). Enough w/the labels! I simply balance my diet now. I eat lower calorie foods most of the time, but I still have "cheat" days. Treat it like a lifestyle change. Eat in a fashion that you can sustain for the rest of your life, while still maintaining your weight and staying healthy.

^She knows what's up

Yup. +1

Hornsby

Clean to me means tracking calories and macros and keeping food to a minimum. Dirty is eat as much of and whatever you like. Nice way to gain 20lbs in 5 weeks.

uhh food to a minimum? Dafuq?

I believe the poster just meant that for them, eating clean means eating within their calories and hitting their macros, and eating dirty means eating whatever without regard to macros/intake.

That's the problem with "eating clean". Everyone has different definitions. Since I don't consider any food "dirty", I would agree with that poster's statement assuming I am correct in what they meant by their post.

neanderthin

Generally it means whole foods and minimally processed foods. I would look into IIFYM which basically follow that philosophy but include a percentage of what people would consider dirty foods like fast food and processed food, it helps with diet adherence.

mcibty

Simple - I don't.


I don't believe it makes a difference in the end if I eat two cookies on a saturday night, or if I eat something fried in butter instead of olive oil.

This is almost like the 'a calorie is not a calorie' argument... It depends how much attention you want to pay to the nutritional value of your diet. It depends what you mean when you say 'makes a difference' and when you think 'in the end' is.

Of course it's healthier if you fried your Saturday night treat in olive oil instead of butter. Are you physically going to feel the difference on a one off? No, probably not. Is your body going to know on the inside what you've done? Absolutely.

The nutritional composition of healthier, more 'basic/natural' foods quite simply do make an impact because they're supplying your body with the nutrients it needs to complete all it's wonderful functions.

Do a month of sticking to your calories eating nothing but junk, then another with more natural/healthier foods and I guarantee you'd feel so much different. I know I have since changing my diet.

Add: I don't eat 100% 'clean' 100% of the time. Do I eat burgers? You bet your sweet butt I do. Do I drink beer? Frequently. Do I feel good about myself when I've had a super day of sticking to fresh/whole foods? Equally yes.

Everything in moderation, including moderation.