How important is it to "eat clean"
Replies
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it's not.0
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Are fruits clean? Cause they trigger my hunger more than any "junk" food ever could. I guess fruit is addictive.Personally, if I eat a 300 calorie meal of brocolli, carrots, peas and beans, - you get the idea - then I'm full for longer and I don't crave to eat again until the next meal is due.
If I eat 300 calories of millionaire shortbread, then I'm craving to eat another 300 calories of millionaire shortbread in the next 20 minutes.
Junk food contains high amounts of sugar and salt with fat which are all addictive and in combination even more so, whereas "clean" foods do not trigger such acute cravings.
If you find it addictive then yes, I guess - for you - maybe.
See...If I ate broccoli, carrots and beans, I'd be hungry again within an hour because I'd need fat and protein to stay sated.0 -
Are fruits clean? Cause they trigger my hunger more than any "junk" food ever could. I guess fruit is addictive.Personally, if I eat a 300 calorie meal of brocolli, carrots, peas and beans, - you get the idea - then I'm full for longer and I don't crave to eat again until the next meal is due.
If I eat 300 calories of millionaire shortbread, then I'm craving to eat another 300 calories of millionaire shortbread in the next 20 minutes.
Junk food contains high amounts of sugar and salt with fat which are all addictive and in combination even more so, whereas "clean" foods do not trigger such acute cravings.
In your case, clean or not, they're probably a bad idea. But wait, is that your real picture? If so, I bet there are days a little extra hunger is good for you. To fuel whatever the heck you're doing to look like that!
We need a new definition of food. Instead of clean or junk or whatever, we need a nice shiny word that means compatible with a particular person's health, calorie goals, and satiety signals. Someone invent a new term!
Individually Optimal?
Nah, sounds silly.
If it fits...something that describes or measures health/goals/satiety... Maybe?
That's what I'm looking for. But people like short snappy one word descriptions (no wonder it's then hard to define our eating terms like 'clean'!). But a new word would be great. Even if no one could sell books off it because it acknowledges that what works for one person's goals, lifestyle, and physiology might cause problems for someone else or simply be unnecessary.
Now I'll wait for someone to tell me special snowflakes don't exist, a cute term with legs that is actually proven false every time a crime is solved using DNA.0 -
Here how I look at it the more nutrient dense foods you eat the better your body does what is needs to do.0
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Mmm.. basically you just want to make sure your body is properly nourished. All the vitamins, minerals, macros, etc... Eating "clean" helps people achieve those goals because the foods are usually nutrient dense. But if you have some junk here and there, its fine as long as it's within your calories and you got all the other nutrients already. And it's not like junk food is completely devoid of nutrients. A chip was once a potato and ice cream still has the calcium. Even toaster strudels will have some healthy fats and nutrients in them. It's just not easy to get all of what you need if that's all you eat.0
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Here how I look at it the more nutrient dense foods you eat the better your body does what is needs to do.
Seems to work for me.
Long story short, yesterday I consumed egg, dairy, and added sugar for the first time in over 50 days.
I feel horribly guilty because I violated my own ethics. So I regret doing it.
But I don't regret it from a healthy eating standpoint. I felt horrible last night and I feel worse today. Sick and weak, very much like a bad hangover, but worse. Just gross. My face wants to divorce my mouth, my body wants a separation from my belly, and overall I'd like to crawl out of my skin completely.
I guess for me plant based no bread was working.0 -
Are fruits clean? Cause they trigger my hunger more than any "junk" food ever could. I guess fruit is addictive.Personally, if I eat a 300 calorie meal of brocolli, carrots, peas and beans, - you get the idea - then I'm full for longer and I don't crave to eat again until the next meal is due.
If I eat 300 calories of millionaire shortbread, then I'm craving to eat another 300 calories of millionaire shortbread in the next 20 minutes.
Junk food contains high amounts of sugar and salt with fat which are all addictive and in combination even more so, whereas "clean" foods do not trigger such acute cravings.
In your case, clean or not, they're probably a bad idea. But wait, is that your real picture? If so, I bet there are days a little extra hunger is good for you. To fuel whatever the heck you're doing to look like that!
We need a new definition of food. Instead of clean or junk or whatever, we need a nice shiny word that means compatible with a particular person's health, calorie goals, and satiety signals. Someone invent a new term!
Individually Optimal?
Nah, sounds silly.
If it fits...something that describes or measures health/goals/satiety... Maybe?
That's what I'm looking for. But people like short snappy one word descriptions (no wonder it's then hard to define our eating terms like 'clean'!). But a new word would be great. Even if no one could sell books off it because it acknowledges that what works for one person's goals, lifestyle, and physiology might cause problems for someone else or simply be unnecessary.
Now I'll wait for someone to tell me special snowflakes don't exist, a cute term with legs that is actually proven false every time a crime is solved using DNA.
Maybe "macros" could be a part of an...acronym?0 -
Are fruits clean? Cause they trigger my hunger more than any "junk" food ever could. I guess fruit is addictive.Personally, if I eat a 300 calorie meal of brocolli, carrots, peas and beans, - you get the idea - then I'm full for longer and I don't crave to eat again until the next meal is due.
If I eat 300 calories of millionaire shortbread, then I'm craving to eat another 300 calories of millionaire shortbread in the next 20 minutes.
Junk food contains high amounts of sugar and salt with fat which are all addictive and in combination even more so, whereas "clean" foods do not trigger such acute cravings.
In your case, clean or not, they're probably a bad idea. But wait, is that your real picture? If so, I bet there are days a little extra hunger is good for you. To fuel whatever the heck you're doing to look like that!
We need a new definition of food. Instead of clean or junk or whatever, we need a nice shiny word that means compatible with a particular person's health, calorie goals, and satiety signals. Someone invent a new term!
Individually Optimal?
Nah, sounds silly.
If it fits...something that describes or measures health/goals/satiety... Maybe?
That's what I'm looking for. But people like short snappy one word descriptions (no wonder it's then hard to define our eating terms like 'clean'!). But a new word would be great. Even if no one could sell books off it because it acknowledges that what works for one person's goals, lifestyle, and physiology might cause problems for someone else or simply be unnecessary.
Now I'll wait for someone to tell me special snowflakes don't exist, a cute term with legs that is actually proven false every time a crime is solved using DNA.
Maybe "macros" could be a part of an...acronym?
Haha how about Indioptimacros! Too many syllables still for us lazy humans.0 -
For people who want to "eat clean", I'm sure it's very important.
For people who don't, I'm not sure its important at all.
Hope that answers your question.
^^^ this is spot on....
on any weight loss plan - just stick with -15 to -20 % TDEE and you will lose weight regardless of what form the calories come in...Big Mac and fries and a beer and as long as you are below your TDEE you will lose weight....however, most people on MFP don't just want to lose weight they want to become more healthy too to reduce body fat, gain lean muscle, so they cut out the junk, the food additives, the processed carbs etc...but its all about what your goals are...
Hope this helps...
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Not very.0
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Are fruits clean? Cause they trigger my hunger more than any "junk" food ever could. I guess fruit is addictive.Personally, if I eat a 300 calorie meal of brocolli, carrots, peas and beans, - you get the idea - then I'm full for longer and I don't crave to eat again until the next meal is due.
If I eat 300 calories of millionaire shortbread, then I'm craving to eat another 300 calories of millionaire shortbread in the next 20 minutes.
Junk food contains high amounts of sugar and salt with fat which are all addictive and in combination even more so, whereas "clean" foods do not trigger such acute cravings.
If you find it addictive then yes, I guess - for you - maybe.
See...If I ate broccoli, carrots and beans, I'd be hungry again within an hour because I'd need fat and protein to stay sated.
- well apart from the carrots these are reasonable sources of protein but I've got enough fat around my middle to not need any for quite a while!0 -
Are fruits clean? Cause they trigger my hunger more than any "junk" food ever could. I guess fruit is addictive.Personally, if I eat a 300 calorie meal of brocolli, carrots, peas and beans, - you get the idea - then I'm full for longer and I don't crave to eat again until the next meal is due.
If I eat 300 calories of millionaire shortbread, then I'm craving to eat another 300 calories of millionaire shortbread in the next 20 minutes.
Junk food contains high amounts of sugar and salt with fat which are all addictive and in combination even more so, whereas "clean" foods do not trigger such acute cravings.
If you find it addictive then yes, I guess - for you - maybe.
See...If I ate broccoli, carrots and beans, I'd be hungry again within an hour because I'd need fat and protein to stay sated.
- well apart from the carrots these are reasonable sources of protein but I've got enough fat around my middle to not need any for quite a while!
Nice try, but beans and broccoli aren't a complete protein and dietary fat is not the same thing as body fat
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Okay, acronym: How about OFY
Optimal For You
Then of course every individual has to do the work of adding and subtracting foods to figure out what that is.
Nope, definitely won't be selling any diet books off it.
But I like it. Think I'll use it. I'll just look at people if they ask me what my plan was and say OH-FEE!0 -
Okay, acronym: How about OFY
Optimal For You
Then of course every individual has to do the work of adding and subtracting foods to figure out what that is.
Nope, definitely won't be selling any diet books off it.
But I like it. Think I'll use it. I'll just look at people if they ask me what my plan was and say OH-FEE!
I say "If it fits your macros" but OH-FEE! works too.0 -
The definition of "clean eating" can mean anything you want it to. I eat clean myself, I wash all of my food before I eat it and I buy it from a local grocery store. I also use the 10 second rule if I drop something, which is totally legit.
Doesn't matter what your definition of clean eating is, if you eat at a calorie surplus you will gain weight, if it's a deficit you'll lose weight. It's as simple as that. You don't have to eat like a caveman did in the Paleolithic era to lose weight.0 -
Okay, acronym: How about OFY
Optimal For You
Then of course every individual has to do the work of adding and subtracting foods to figure out what that is.
Nope, definitely won't be selling any diet books off it.
But I like it. Think I'll use it. I'll just look at people if they ask me what my plan was and say OH-FEE!
I say "If it fits your macros" but OH-FEE! works too.
Haha yeah, I was slow on the uptake with IIFYM. The I realized what you meant. I think a lot of people are confused by that, thinking there is one set of ideal macros everyone 'in the know' uses instead of realizing it's good to find your own best settings. Or at best there are 'low carb' ones and 'regular ones' and ones recommended by MFP or this or that diet book.0 -
Okay, acronym: How about OFY
Optimal For You
Then of course every individual has to do the work of adding and subtracting foods to figure out what that is.
Nope, definitely won't be selling any diet books off it.
But I like it. Think I'll use it. I'll just look at people if they ask me what my plan was and say OH-FEE!
I say "If it fits your macros" but OH-FEE! works too.
Haha yeah, I was slow on the uptake with IIFYM. The I realized what you meant. I think a lot of people are confused by that, thinking there is one set of ideal macros everyone 'in the know' uses instead of realizing it's good to find your own best settings. Or at best there are 'low carb' ones and 'regular ones' and ones recommended by MFP or this or that diet book.
There's protein and fat minimums, natch.
And there's also suggested carb intake depending on goals and based on research, which is more complicated than I'll ever get with this.
And it doesn't describe micronutrients because -geez- RDA and we're allegedly intelligent adults.
But yeah, goals/satiety/compliance is part of the original description.
And O-FEE! does have a certain ring to it, especially with a Spanish flair.0 -
Are fruits clean? Cause they trigger my hunger more than any "junk" food ever could. I guess fruit is addictive.Personally, if I eat a 300 calorie meal of brocolli, carrots, peas and beans, - you get the idea - then I'm full for longer and I don't crave to eat again until the next meal is due.
If I eat 300 calories of millionaire shortbread, then I'm craving to eat another 300 calories of millionaire shortbread in the next 20 minutes.
Junk food contains high amounts of sugar and salt with fat which are all addictive and in combination even more so, whereas "clean" foods do not trigger such acute cravings.
If you find it addictive then yes, I guess - for you - maybe.
See...If I ate broccoli, carrots and beans, I'd be hungry again within an hour because I'd need fat and protein to stay sated.
- well apart from the carrots these are reasonable sources of protein but I've got enough fat around my middle to not need any for quite a while!
Nice try, but beans and broccoli aren't a complete protein and dietary fat is not the same thing as body fat
- its off-topic I know but just to say that "complete protein" thing is old science and body fat is a legitimate source of energy or none of us would lose weight or bodyfat.
(I don't only eat broccoli and beans - I eat tofu and nuts as well)0 -
Are fruits clean? Cause they trigger my hunger more than any "junk" food ever could. I guess fruit is addictive.Personally, if I eat a 300 calorie meal of brocolli, carrots, peas and beans, - you get the idea - then I'm full for longer and I don't crave to eat again until the next meal is due.
If I eat 300 calories of millionaire shortbread, then I'm craving to eat another 300 calories of millionaire shortbread in the next 20 minutes.
Junk food contains high amounts of sugar and salt with fat which are all addictive and in combination even more so, whereas "clean" foods do not trigger such acute cravings.
If you find it addictive then yes, I guess - for you - maybe.
See...If I ate broccoli, carrots and beans, I'd be hungry again within an hour because I'd need fat and protein to stay sated.
- well apart from the carrots these are reasonable sources of protein but I've got enough fat around my middle to not need any for quite a while!
Nice try, but beans and broccoli aren't a complete protein and dietary fat is not the same thing as body fat
- its off-topic I know but just to say that "complete protein" thing is old science and body fat is a legitimate source of energy or none of us would lose weight or bodyfat.
(I don't only eat broccoli and beans - I eat tofu and nuts as well)
Didn't know that about the complete protein. This is a zombie thread anyway. Thanks!
Body fat is a source of energy, but not of dietary fat. You still need the dietary fat for quite a few functions.0 -
Okay, acronym: How about OFY
Optimal For You
Then of course every individual has to do the work of adding and subtracting foods to figure out what that is.
Nope, definitely won't be selling any diet books off it.
But I like it. Think I'll use it. I'll just look at people if they ask me what my plan was and say OH-FEE!
I say "If it fits your macros" but OH-FEE! works too.
Haha yeah, I was slow on the uptake with IIFYM. The I realized what you meant. I think a lot of people are confused by that, thinking there is one set of ideal macros everyone 'in the know' uses instead of realizing it's good to find your own best settings. Or at best there are 'low carb' ones and 'regular ones' and ones recommended by MFP or this or that diet book.
There's protein and fat minimums, natch.
And there's also suggested carb intake depending on goals and based on research, which is more complicated than I'll ever get with this.
And it doesn't describe micronutrients because -geez- RDA and we're allegedly intelligent adults.
But yeah, goals/satiety/compliance is part of the original description.
And O-FEE! does have a certain ring to it, especially with a Spanish flair.
:laugh: O-FAY! I just want an excuse to walk around saying O-FEE and O-FAY now. I'm easily amused.0 -
Personally, if I eat a 300 calorie meal of brocolli, carrots, peas and beans, - you get the idea - then I'm full for longer and I don't crave to eat again until the next meal is due.
If I eat 300 calories of millionaire shortbread, then I'm craving to eat another 300 calories of millionaire shortbread in the next 20 minutes.
Junk food contains high amounts of sugar and salt with fat which are all addictive and in combination even more so, whereas "clean" foods do not trigger such acute cravings.
Hmm. My breakfast this morning involved processed and unprocessed foods (none "junk" IMO), and I think both played a role in being satiating. If someone is eating meals that don't keep them full, yes, they should work on the balance. That's no good reason to say that one must eliminate all non-processed foods, however, especially because a lot of them (see my lists in the post above) may well play a role in keeping one full or meeting one's nutrition goals.
I'm not sure how you are defining "junk," but the definition of "clean" (an unnecessary, silly term) is generally much narrower than "not junk."
Also, even if one chooses to eat food one considers junk on occasion (I'm not much offended by the term "junk food" and I do eat it on occasion, although I probably use it more narrowly than you do) that clearly does not mean that one is basing one's diet on it. When I was a kid we got to go to McD's or Long John Silvers once a month or so, and while I don't personally eat fast food now unless I'm on a road trip, I don't think that the fact that we occasionally had fast food meant that my childhood was spent eating a non-nutritious, unclean diet.0 -
We need a new definition of food. Instead of clean or junk or whatever, we need a nice shiny word that means compatible with a particular person's health, calorie goals, and satiety signals. Someone invent a new term!
Individually Optimal?
Nah, sounds silly and too many syllables. Humans don't like too many syllables.
Healthy works for me. I try to eat a healthy diet. I try to eat in a way that meets my health goals. (I'd say "healthy and balanced," but some people can intentionally eat unbalanced (i.e., low carb, 80/10/10) and still be healthy and meet their goals, so I'll leave it out.
What everyone means by that will be individual, but that's fine.0 -
We need a new definition of food. Instead of clean or junk or whatever, we need a nice shiny word that means compatible with a particular person's health, calorie goals, and satiety signals. Someone invent a new term!
Individually Optimal?
Nah, sounds silly and too many syllables. Humans don't like too many syllables.
Healthy works for me. I try to eat a healthy diet. I try to eat in a way that meets my health goals. (I'd say "healthy and balanced," but some people can intentionally eat unbalanced (i.e., low carb, 80/10/10) and still be healthy and meet their goals, so I'll leave it out.
What everyone means by that will be individual, but that's fine.
I use the term "healthy and balanced" to mean "nutritionally adequate," not "equal macro ratios."0 -
Here's a recent article on Otzi, the 5,000 year old Ice Man.
He clearly didn't eat any processed food, but surprised scientists with his predisposition to heart disease (hardened arteries).
"Initially, the atherosclerosis was a bit of a surprise, because much research has linked heart disease to the couch-potato lifestyle and calorie-rich foods of the modern world, Zink said. But in recent research, as scientists conducted CT scans on mummies from the Aleutian Islands to ancient Egypt, they realized that heart disease and atherosclerosis were prevalent throughout antiquity, in people who had dramatically different diets and lifestyles, he said. "
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/31/otzi-heart-disease-mummy_n_5637352.html0 -
calories in vs calories out = weightloss or gain
macros and micros can have a large effect on your overall heath and fitness goals as well
if weight loss is your only goal and you want to keep things simple then just worry about the calries. If you have other goals in mind then do some research on that.
Unless you have PCOS or other hormonal issues, in which case losing weight is incredibly hard. There is so much crap you have to go throughin order to get to a point where you can actually lose weight..0 -
Here's a recent article on Otzi, the 5,000 year old Ice Man.
He clearly didn't eat any processed food, but surprised scientists with his predisposition to heart disease (hardened arteries).
"Initially, the atherosclerosis was a bit of a surprise, because much research has linked heart disease to the couch-potato lifestyle and calorie-rich foods of the modern world, Zink said. But in recent research, as scientists conducted CT scans on mummies from the Aleutian Islands to ancient Egypt, they realized that heart disease and atherosclerosis were prevalent throughout antiquity, in people who had dramatically different diets and lifestyles, he said. "
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/31/otzi-heart-disease-mummy_n_5637352.html
Oooh. Interesting. I wonder if stress had anything to do with it? Had to be a hard life, trying to get enough to eat while not getting eaten. And though our stressors are different now, in my particular society at least, we have them, and constantly.0 -
It's important for health.0
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I think it depends.
How often are you eating out? Once to a few times a week is fine. But I was reading an article about a girl who only ate pizza, McDonald's, soda, etc. and at 22 her doctor told her she had the heart of a 90-year-old. There has to be a healthy balance between never eating out (which can make you crave it more and more likely to binge down the road) and eating out most or all of the time.
Does it fit into your sodium and sugar macros? If not, try not to go over too often or it could lead to long-term health problems (heart issues, type 2 diabetes, etc.)
Do you have a health condition that requires a special diet? If so, you need to do what your doctor tells you.0 -
You Are What You Eat! The cleaner you eat the better the results and performance in your body.0
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I'm on a grain free lower carb diet (I average 75 to 100 carbs per day and still have a calorie limit that I stay under). I still drink one can of Coke per day and sometimes eat ice cream or hot dogs (w/out the bun) or other foods not really considered healthy but I find that I have more energy or feel better when I eat more natural protein (grass fed meat or eggs), fruit, and veggies, and drink a lot of water. So while I do think you can lose weight by just reducing calories, I think it's better for your overall health to eat healthier, but that doesn't mean you have to cut out all of your guilty pleasure/comfort foods all the time. Just reduce them.
Oh and I am not saying that a grain free low carb diet is right for everyone. I'm on it because my dietician recommended it when a regular low calorie/low fat diet wasn't working for me. Eating less calories and exercising is what's most important for most people trying to lose weight.0
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