What is clean eating?
Replies
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I have never understood why this open/closed diary thing is such a big deal.
Having an open diary IMO can be helpful to someone who is struggling reaching their goals. It can be a great resource of ideas for someone who is struggling to see what someone who has had success is doing. At the end of the day, isn't that why we are here?
No, I'm here for me. Period! MFP can be as social as you like. You don't have to have friends and many like me choose not to. You don't have to have an open diary. You don't have to participate in the forums. It's all about using the tools MFP provides to help you on your fitness journey. For some that includes losing weight as well. At the end of the day, it is about a better, fitter you.0 -
I have never understood why this open/closed diary thing is such a big deal.
Having an open diary IMO can be helpful to someone who is struggling reaching their goals. It can be a great resource of ideas for someone who is struggling to see what someone who has had success is doing. At the end of the day, isn't that why we are here?
No, I'm here for me. Period! MFP can be as social as you like. You don't have to have friends and many like me choose not to. You don't have to have an open diary. You don't have to participate in the forums. It's all about using the tools MFP provides to help you on your fitness journey. For some that includes losing weight as well. At the end of the day, it is about a better, fitter you.
Then why are you on the forums?0 -
I have never understood why this open/closed diary thing is such a big deal.
Having an open diary IMO can be helpful to someone who is struggling reaching their goals. It can be a great resource of ideas for someone who is struggling to see what someone who has had success is doing. At the end of the day, isn't that why we are here?
No...I am here to track my calories. What someone else eats does not help nor hinder what choices that I make in my eating.
If I am struggling...I research...then make choices based on what I know that I will follow through with and be able to sustain.
If someone needs help...they are welcome to ask me...I am more than willing...but I don't expect anyone to make my choices fit theirs. I think all too often that we think that we have the answers for everyone else.
I read the forums on ideas to research...not for motivation...inspiration...or for anyone to critique my choices. If I ever get to the point that I can't figure it out on my own...I would be selective in whom I ask...not just pick some random diary to browse through.
I don't know why anyone else is here...I suppose that we all have our reasons.0 -
clean eating.0 -
Food that is white in color. Potatoes, peeled, and sugar are the cleanest foods out there.
Vanilla Ice Cream too
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I think all too often that we think that we have the answers for everyone else.
It's not about thinking you have the answers. Opening your diary let's people see what worked for you and what may work for them. It also costs you nothing...0 -
Clean eating means something different to everyone and no, it doesn't mean "washing your foods before you consume".
To me it means eating minimally processed/non processed foods. Eating foods whose ingredients you can read and understand what they are (and please don't come back to this and post the ingredients that make up a blueberry and ask me if I can pronounce or understand them. I am talking about the crap that's put in food. Last time I checked I wasn't growing a Red Dye #5 tree in my yard). I also limit my added sugar intake and avoid HFCS and aspartame. I perimeter shop. I have a vegetable garden so I will be harvesting my own vegetables and canning them, freezing etc.I get raw milk from a local farm, eggs from a neighbor who has chickens and we have been researching local farms that sell half cows, pigs, chickens etc. that aren't pumped with hormones and are all natural. I make my own yogurt, we make our own jerky, dried fruit, marinades etc. and are going to start making our own ice cream.
Do I always eat "clean"? No. I'll eat potato chips and the like now and then but for the most part I try to avoid pre-packaged, processed, chemical laden (and again please do not come here and post all the "chemicals" that are in natural food. You're just being an *kitten* when you do that because you all know what is meant when someone says that) food. IMO I think all the crap that's put into food now that makes it not as natural as it should be is contributing to all the diseases that are cropping up and becoming more prevalent now. Wheat for one is so overly processed that it's no wonder people are developing allergies from it. And "organic" is a misnomer as they are allowed to use a certain amount of pesticides and how "organic" can your vegetables be when the farm is next to a busy highway and diesel fumes and gas fumes are settling on the plants? Free range is a misnomer as well. As long as your chicken has a 12x12 spot to walk around in you can call your chicken "free range". I prefer true free range chickens (they taste incredible) and to eat my own veggies where I know what is on the which is rain, dirt and bugs.0 -
I think all too often that we think that we have the answers for everyone else.
It's not about thinking you have the answers. Opening your diary let's people see what worked for you and what may work for them. It also costs you nothing...
If someone wants to know what has worked for me...they can message me...I am more than willing to share.
However...
It is not my reasons for being here on MFP. This past year has been for the first time in my life...all about me. I spent 61 years of my life for other people...put myself on hold. One year...I have given to myself.
It might not cost anything monetarily...but...there are other costs involved here.
Also...
If I was interested in "clean eating" I am sure that if I found someone and asked questions of them...most would be willing to point me in the right direction. The same goes for Paleo...vegan...vegetarian...etc...etc.
Make your choice...open/closed diary...based on your reasons for being here...let others do the same...without your condemnation.
Oh...and if you want help in eating low sodium...upping your potassium...let me know...I just might be your gal.
What a crazy thing to judge people on...open/closed diary.0 -
I think all too often that we think that we have the answers for everyone else.
It's not about thinking you have the answers. Opening your diary let's people see what worked for you and what may work for them. It also costs you nothing...
Or it might not work for you. I see no point in an open diary or why people's panties get in a bunch when someone's diary is closed. I get it if they are asking for specific help on what they're eating but to get bent because someone's diary is closed makes no sense to me.0 -
How can someone preach against processed food and its 'dangers' and talk about their imaginary health superiority, yet there diary has processed junk foods in it. It is like a person who is preaching about the dangers of tobacco while having a full pack of cigarettes hidden in their pocket.0
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Wow... lots of really sensitive people in these threads.
It's just food people...0 -
Wow... lots of really sensitive people in these threads.
It's just food people...
Wow... lots of really sensitive people in these threads.
It's just a food diary people...
...a list of what people ate and digested (or possibly didn't digest). I just don't find that a great source of inspiration and quite frankly...none of my business.0 -
How can someone preach against processed food and its 'dangers' and talk about their imaginary health superiority, yet there diary has processed junk foods in it. It is like a person who is preaching about the dangers of tobacco while having a full pack of cigarettes hidden in their pocket.
I get what you are saying and I don't necessarily disagree with it.
I think however there are times when one might "preach" and yet not follow their own advice.
I might tell someone that they should eat plenty of vegetables. Yet if they looked at my diary they might possible think that I am not following my own advice.
I cook a lot so what might appear as just a tuna casserole actually is filled with vegetables. Also...I don't eat enough vegetables...that is due to that most of them...the ones that I truly like...were the ones causing me so much digestive issues. During the whole process of losing weight...getting healthy I have battled stomach issues. After almost a year...finally figured out...the very things that were making me healthier...were making me sick!0 -
there are other costs involved here.
Interesting... like what?0 -
As I was saying...How can someone preach against processed food and its 'dangers' and talk about their imaginary health superiority, yet there diary has processed junk foods in it. It is like a person who is preaching about the dangers of tobacco while having a full pack of cigarettes hidden in their pocket.0 -
How can someone preach against processed food and its 'dangers' and talk about their imaginary health superiority, yet there diary has processed junk foods in it. It is like a person who is preaching about the dangers of tobacco while having a full pack of cigarettes hidden in their pocket.
Quite a few clean eaters here DO NOT preach against processed foods or what you perceive as 'imaginary' health superiority. Just because someone says they are eating clean does not imply anything with respect to your diet. In fact, I truly believe a lot of the problems revolving around the mention of clean eating here is those who don't eat clean projecting their guilt or insecurities over their own diet. Eat what you want but don't make the assumption that clean eaters give you anything more than at best a passing glance. With respect to the dangers of tobacco, the medical profession is the best at preaching but not following their own advice.0 -
And there it is.......How can someone preach against processed food and its 'dangers' and talk about their imaginary health superiority, yet there diary has processed junk foods in it. It is like a person who is preaching about the dangers of tobacco while having a full pack of cigarettes hidden in their pocket.
Quite a few clean eaters here DO NOT preach against processed foods or what you perceive as 'imaginary' health superiority. Just because someone says they are eating clean does not imply anything with respect to your diet. In fact, I truly believe a lot of the problems revolving around the mention of clean eating here is those who don't eat clean projecting their guilt or insecurities over their own diet. Eat what you want but don't make the assumption that clean eaters give you anything more than at best a passing glance. With respect to the dangers of tobacco, the medical profession is the best at preaching but not following their own advice.0 -
Clean eating means something different to everyone and no, it doesn't mean "washing your foods before you consume".
um... that's precisely what "clean eating" means to me- you cannot in one sentence say "it means something different to everyone" and then say but it NEVER means this.
depends on if it lands sticky side down or not... and on a carpet or not.Following the 5 second rule for dropped donuts?
Sticky side down is an automatic trashcan toss.
Carpet is an automatic trashcan toss.
Sticky side down on the carpet? Then I just call my BF over and have him clean it up. LMAO0 -
anything not processed0
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If "clean" eating is eating only non-processed stuff, can we agree that it doesn't have much to do with health OR weight loss?
And if you don't agree, tell me why frozen vegetables are unhealthy.0 -
anything not processed
For us, home processed is fine but not commercially processed foods with the exception of a very, very limited list of foods. Some clean eaters will include a larger list of commercially processed foods, but still very minimal at that. Even then there are other criteria any commercially processed food must meet before we consume them. Other clean eaters may or may not share these criteria.0 -
If "clean" eating is eating only non-processed stuff, can we agree that it doesn't have much to do with health OR weight loss?
Not really. There's ample evidence to suggest that eating a diet rich in plant-based and whole grain foods (which is primarily what you're left with once you eradicate 'processed') has significant health benefits. Meat and dairy, there seems to be divided opinion on.
I haven't seen many suggest that frozen vegetables are 'unhealthy'. Some actually believe they're more nutritious because freezing preserves the nutrients.0 -
Part of the issue is there's a tendency to want to list examples, which often leads to discussions about what wasn't included.If "clean" eating is eating only non-processed stuff, can we agree that it doesn't have much to do with health OR weight loss?
And if you don't agree, tell me why frozen vegetables are unhealthy.
Again, I think the name (as with many on here) is problematic. But, I know what I characterize as part of my health style and what I don't.0 -
there are other costs involved here.
Interesting... like what?
Long story...very personal...this for me has been a journey not just about losing weight, health or getting fit.
So I do things my way...if that means opening my diary...I do...if it means closing it to just friends or not at all...then that is what I do.
I think that when you make assumptions about people based on such trivial things such as a closed diary you are being unfair. Maybe they are not trying to hide anything...maybe it is just how they choose to deal with their own journey.
I admit...I find it a bit insulting when someone implies that I am uneducated...lazy...stuffing my face with "junk"...but honestly...it is not about what they think...it is all about what I choose to do. What I choose to do to accomplish what I have set out to accomplish.
I hope that one day my journey will inspire someone else...but right now...I have to finish this journey on my own...doing it my way.
I leave others the same courtesy...letting them do it their way.0 -
If "clean" eating is eating only non-processed stuff, can we agree that it doesn't have much to do with health OR weight loss?
Not really. There's ample evidence to suggest that eating a diet rich in plant-based and whole grain foods (which is primarily what you're left with once you eradicate 'processed') has significant health benefits. Meat and dairy, there seems to be divided opinion on.
Well. we mostly agree that eating a diet rich in plant-based and whole grain foods is good, and I also happen to think that meat and dairy are just fine. (Personally, I think grains, even whole grains, tend to be somewhat overrated, and they certainly are processed under any reasonable definition, but I don't think they are bad for you at all, except that they aren't particularly nutrient-dense. This all supports my argument.)
The point, however, is that one can eat lots of vegetables and fruits whether or not one is a so-called "clean" eater, whether or not one attempts to cut out processed foods. Indeed, as I pointed out, processing may make it much easier to have access to vegetables and fruits, especially outside of the relatively short growing seasons some places, and typically are at least as healthy as those carted in from across the country or farther (as you stated below).
Thus, if the health-based advice that you would give is eat lots of vegetables and fruits, saying that you should "eat clean" seems a needlessly non-direct way of giving the advice. I'd recommend instead "eat lots of vegetables and fruits."
Not to mention, that just like some vegetarians I know, it's quite possible to cut out the so-called "bad" foods without bothering to replace them with what you might consider healthy. Depending on what we define as processed, I could quite easily preen about how I never eat TV dinners or poptarts or even those dastardly processed frozen vegetables and still eat very little in the way of fresh fruits or vegetables. I could delude myself that all natural peanut butter on whole wheat bread (again, seems pretty processed to me) 24/7 is a fabulously "clean" diet. But clean or not (and again, weird to claim it's not processed), that's not particularly healthy on its own.
It's not the not eating processed foods that's the issue, it's what the majority of your diet consists of. The "clean" nonsense is just a red herring.I haven't seen many suggest that frozen vegetables are 'unhealthy'. Some actually believe they're more nutritious because freezing preserves the nutrients.
Hmm. Perhaps you haven't seen the many, many posts in this thread alone claiming that processed=unhealthy. As I've been saying, that's false. One reason I think it's bad advice to tell people (especially people who seem to be seeking basic advice on nutrition) that processed food is unhealthy is that there are a lot of good, health and nutrition-based reasons to include specific processed foods in one's diet. Processing is not the issue. I see nothing wrong with eating ice cream, but even if you disagree it really makes no difference whether it's store-bought or home-made. The difference, if any, has to do with the specific ingredients, so if there is a specific processed ingredient you think is unsafe at any speed (poor old sucrose, perhaps), then why not identify that, rather than claiming it's about "processing." Then we can debate the specific claim, at least, not just whether or not it's rude to tell others that their food is not clean (although obviously it is, or would be if it were not so absurd).
I just ate a salad with chicken bought from a local restaurant (that uses good ingredients, publishes nutrition information, blah, blah). Does that salad transform into something unhealthy merely because I did not make it myself?
Rather than go on about processing or eating "clean," or the horrors of letting some pre-packaged yogurt pass your lips, why not suggest that people eat a good variety of vegetables and fruits, get adequate protein and fiber (which may mean whole grains), focus on foods that will tend to be more filling and rich in micro-nutrients, etc. And then if they have room left eat some less nutrient dense foods if that's what they desire, in moderation (which this basically by definition is).
We could still all argue about the evils of fruit and dairy (not my view, to be clear), whether people eat too much or too little protein, and the importance of bread, I guess. So we wouldn't be left with nothing to talk about, even if we dropped the assertion that only "clean" eaters are healthy (although they get to define for themselves what "clean" is, apparently).0 -
If "clean" eating is eating only non-processed stuff, can we agree that it doesn't have much to do with health OR weight loss?
Not really. There's ample evidence to suggest that eating a diet rich in plant-based and whole grain foods (which is primarily what you're left with once you eradicate 'processed') has significant health benefits. Meat and dairy, there seems to be divided opinion on.
Well. we mostly agree that eating a diet rich in plant-based and whole grain foods is good, and I also happen to think that meat and dairy are just fine. (Personally, I think grains, even whole grains, tend to be somewhat overrated, and they certainly are processed under any reasonable definition, but I don't think they are bad for you at all, except that they aren't particularly nutrient-dense. This all supports my argument.)
The point, however, is that one can eat lots of vegetables and fruits whether or not one is a so-called "clean" eater, whether or not one attempts to cut out processed foods. Indeed, as I pointed out, processing may make it much easier to have access to vegetables and fruits, especially outside of the relatively short growing seasons some places, and typically are at least as healthy as those carted in from across the country or farther (as you stated below).
Thus, if the health-based advice that you would give is eat lots of vegetables and fruits, saying that you should "eat clean" seems a needlessly non-direct way of giving the advice. I'd recommend instead "eat lots of vegetables and fruits."
Not to mention, that just like some vegetarians I know, it's quite possible to cut out the so-called "bad" foods without bothering to replace them with what you might consider healthy. Depending on what we define as processed, I could quite easily preen about how I never eat TV dinners or poptarts or even those dastardly processed frozen vegetables and still eat very little in the way of fresh fruits or vegetables. I could delude myself that all natural peanut butter on whole wheat bread (again, seems pretty processed to me) 24/7 is a fabulously "clean" diet. But clean or not (and again, weird to claim it's not processed), that's not particularly healthy on its own.
It's not the not eating processed foods that's the issue, it's what the majority of your diet consists of. The "clean" nonsense is just a red herring.I haven't seen many suggest that frozen vegetables are 'unhealthy'. Some actually believe they're more nutritious because freezing preserves the nutrients.
Hmm. Perhaps you haven't seen the many, many posts in this thread alone claiming that processed=unhealthy. As I've been saying, that's false. One reason I think it's bad advice to tell people (especially people who seem to be seeking basic advice on nutrition) that processed food is unhealthy is that there are a lot of good, health and nutrition-based reasons to include specific processed foods in one's diet. Processing is not the issue. I see nothing wrong with eating ice cream, but even if you disagree it really makes no difference whether it's store-bought or home-made. The difference, if any, has to do with the specific ingredients, so if there is a specific processed ingredient you think is unsafe at any speed (poor old sucrose, perhaps), then why not identify that, rather than claiming it's about "processing." Then we can debate the specific claim, at least, not just whether or not it's rude to tell others that their food is not clean (although obviously it is, or would be if it were not so absurd).
I just ate a salad with chicken bought from a local restaurant (that uses good ingredients, publishes nutrition information, blah, blah). Does that salad transform into something unhealthy merely because I did not make it myself?
Rather than go on about processing or eating "clean," or the horrors of letting some pre-packaged yogurt pass your lips, why not suggest that people eat a good variety of vegetables and fruits, get adequate protein and fiber (which may mean whole grains), focus on foods that will tend to be more filling and rich in micro-nutrients, etc. And then if they have room left eat some less nutrient dense foods if that's what they desire, in moderation (which this basically by definition is).
We could still all argue about the evils of fruit and dairy (not my view, to be clear), whether people eat too much or too little protein, and the importance of bread, I guess. So we wouldn't be left with nothing to talk about, even if we dropped the assertion that only "clean" eaters are healthy (although they get to define for themselves what "clean" is, apparently).
You are missing the point. Here is an article right on MFP addressing some of the fears regarding processed foods.
http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/2014/07/are-your-food-fears-founded-by-science-or-social-media/
Whether you like someone's dietary choice is a moot point. Whether someone thinks sugar is the devil is a moot point. Whether someone refers to their diet as clean eating is a moot point. You do you and let others do as they feel is best for their own body.0 -
Again, I think the name (as with many on here) is problematic. But, I know what I characterize as part of my health style and what I don't.
And I have no argument with that. My argument is with (a) the term "clean eating" (because it is both meaningless and a slur on the food that others eat); (b) the claim that one can only have a healthy diet by cutting out foods, specifically "processed" foods or sometimes specific processed foods like wheat or sugar or dairy; and (c) the claim that there is some reason to cut out all "processed foods."
Most recently the assertion has been made that "processed foods" should be avoided because they are unhealthy. I am trying to explore that claim.0 -
^^^^If "clean" eating is eating only non-processed stuff, can we agree that it doesn't have much to do with health OR weight loss?
Not really. There's ample evidence to suggest that eating a diet rich in plant-based and whole grain foods (which is primarily what you're left with once you eradicate 'processed') has significant health benefits. Meat and dairy, there seems to be divided opinion on.
Well. we mostly agree that eating a diet rich in plant-based and whole grain foods is good, and I also happen to think that meat and dairy are just fine. (Personally, I think grains, even whole grains, tend to be somewhat overrated, and they certainly are processed under any reasonable definition, but I don't think they are bad for you at all, except that they aren't particularly nutrient-dense. This all supports my argument.)
The point, however, is that one can eat lots of vegetables and fruits whether or not one is a so-called "clean" eater, whether or not one attempts to cut out processed foods. Indeed, as I pointed out, processing may make it much easier to have access to vegetables and fruits, especially outside of the relatively short growing seasons some places, and typically are at least as healthy as those carted in from across the country or farther (as you stated below).
Thus, if the health-based advice that you would give is eat lots of vegetables and fruits, saying that you should "eat clean" seems a needlessly non-direct way of giving the advice. I'd recommend instead "eat lots of vegetables and fruits."
Not to mention, that just like some vegetarians I know, it's quite possible to cut out the so-called "bad" foods without bothering to replace them with what you might consider healthy. Depending on what we define as processed, I could quite easily preen about how I never eat TV dinners or poptarts or even those dastardly processed frozen vegetables and still eat very little in the way of fresh fruits or vegetables. I could delude myself that all natural peanut butter on whole wheat bread (again, seems pretty processed to me) 24/7 is a fabulously "clean" diet. But clean or not (and again, weird to claim it's not processed), that's not particularly healthy on its own.
It's not the not eating processed foods that's the issue, it's what the majority of your diet consists of. The "clean" nonsense is just a red herring.I haven't seen many suggest that frozen vegetables are 'unhealthy'. Some actually believe they're more nutritious because freezing preserves the nutrients.
Hmm. Perhaps you haven't seen the many, many posts in this thread alone claiming that processed=unhealthy. As I've been saying, that's false. One reason I think it's bad advice to tell people (especially people who seem to be seeking basic advice on nutrition) that processed food is unhealthy is that there are a lot of good, health and nutrition-based reasons to include specific processed foods in one's diet. Processing is not the issue. I see nothing wrong with eating ice cream, but even if you disagree it really makes no difference whether it's store-bought or home-made. The difference, if any, has to do with the specific ingredients, so if there is a specific processed ingredient you think is unsafe at any speed (poor old sucrose, perhaps), then why not identify that, rather than claiming it's about "processing." Then we can debate the specific claim, at least, not just whether or not it's rude to tell others that their food is not clean (although obviously it is, or would be if it were not so absurd).
I just ate a salad with chicken bought from a local restaurant (that uses good ingredients, publishes nutrition information, blah, blah). Does that salad transform into something unhealthy merely because I did not make it myself?
Rather than go on about processing or eating "clean," or the horrors of letting some pre-packaged yogurt pass your lips, why not suggest that people eat a good variety of vegetables and fruits, get adequate protein and fiber (which may mean whole grains), focus on foods that will tend to be more filling and rich in micro-nutrients, etc. And then if they have room left eat some less nutrient dense foods if that's what they desire, in moderation (which this basically by definition is).
We could still all argue about the evils of fruit and dairy (not my view, to be clear), whether people eat too much or too little protein, and the importance of bread, I guess. So we wouldn't be left with nothing to talk about, even if we dropped the assertion that only "clean" eaters are healthy (although they get to define for themselves what "clean" is, apparently).
sound. This guy gets it.0 -
Out of curiosity: if the OP said "what is healthy eating" how would folks respond?0
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