Does clean eating pay off?
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In for psychosomatic feel goods and rainbows.
Honestly, for sustainability. I don't define foods by these terms. Nutrient density is how I judge my foods to meet my nutrient needs...then I eat cake.
Pretty much this!0 -
Eating clean helped me lose 50lbs in 5-6 months. It also helped me develop a pretty unhealthy relationship to food, wherein I'd be likely to binge in high volume on calorie-dense foods and then feel horrible about myself. I would also worry if something like a damn rice cake was "clean."
Like dude, a rice cake? I love rice cakes now.
Also, clean eating for me was not at all sustainable, then I gained weight. I am losing weight now eating all the foods I want in moderation and by weighing what I eat. Boom bam, happy camper right here.
Oh also, clean eating made me skinny fat. I'm very glad I stumbled upon IIFYM mentality. While I probably had better poops eating clean, I would rather have better peace of mind.0 -
You can do some amazing things with simple calorie deficit but if you want to shape your body and develop competition winning definition, you will need to fine tune things and eat a much 'cleaner' diet.
False, you just need to be eating an appropriate amount of protein for your body, not have a ridiculous calorie deficit, and for a few days (or weeks? I've never competed, people on my facebook have though) avoid carbs (and water? idk man) to help reduce any remaining water weight. Oh, and you of course need to be lifting, ideally strength training but if hypertrophy works for you in a cut then whatever man, cool.
TL;DR girl on my Facebook competed and looked damn good while posting about poptarts and homemade protein baked goods. Obviously you don't solely eat poptarts, you monitor your macros.0 -
I understand that the number of calories consumed is a number regardless of what it is, as long as you eat within your deficit you will lose weight. So what impact does clean eating have? Will you lose weight faster, is it better in the long run? I feel better when I eat clean and feel like I am actually changing my nutritional lifestyle and eat about 1600 cals a day and get frustrated when I see people losing weight faster than me that eat less calories and their calories are from junk or packaged or diet foods. Does anyone else share this frustration? Does anyone have insight on the benefits of clean eating with weight loss or is it really just the number.
Just worry about your calories.
"clean" has a different meaning to everyone....
So eat a balanced diet of whole foods, veggies fruit....
Maybe some "junk" food even....
Stay where you need to be with your calories (deficit if you are trying to lose weight) and you will be fine.
Basically. If "clean" eating makes you feel better, then do it. Otherwise, don't sweat it, but definitely aim for a balanced diet.0 -
I've been eating "ultra clean" since Nov of last year...I went from about 22%BF to 5.5%BF. Next week I enter my first BB comp.
Does it pay off...yes and no.
I have a six pack..after many many many years of trying
I actually have calves...again after years of trying
I have close to 19 inche arms.
I have a 30 inch waist.
I can't say I'm at the strongest of my life, but I'd give anyone in my wieght group a run for their money. Did 355 on bench today 5 times easy..at 170 lbs.
I get more interest from both sexes than ever in my life. And I'm an old geezer at 48.
All good right..
On the other hand
I am always cold (it's winter here in New Zealand) and with my bf being so low...I'm miserable
I'm always hungry
I get cramps all the time
I don't enjoy my food, it's a necessity. Eatting egg whites every morning is torture.
I don't socialze much as I canf drink and all my friends like to eat pizza and pasta and ribs...which I cant
My sex drive is zero. Buddies heads turn when a hotty walks by and I don't even notice or care
Have to pee all the time because I have to drink so much water like over 2 gallons a day
Don't sleep for more than an hr at a time as I have to get up to pee
Is it worth it???...for a while, I'm giving myself 2 years to live ultra clean. Then I'm going back to being healthy but somewhat normal.0 -
Well, I'm not sure what you mean by "clean" since everyone has a different opinion on what it is. But as you mentioned… calorie deficit is all that is needed for weight loss. But "clean" or healthy eating can definitely have an impact on your health and how you feel.
That being said… IMO… the important thing to remember is… IS IT SUSTAINABLE? Whether you choose to do the so-called "Twinkie diet" or whether you eat "clean"… whether you go low-carb or low-fat…. Whether you go vegetarian or whether you choose the Paleo diet. Any of them will allow you to lose weight (if you're in a deficit), but if you can't keep it up… the weight is likely to come back on. It's all going to boil down to finding the diet (eating plan) that works for you… that fits with your lifestyle, the foods you like, and yes, even your own morals. Find the eating plan that you can stick with… essentially for the rest of your life.0 -
I've been eating "ultra clean" since Nov of last year...I went from about 22%BF to 5.5%BF. Next week I enter my first BB comp.
Does it pay off...yes and no.
I have a six pack..after many many many years of trying
I actually have calves...again after years of trying
I have close to 19 inche arms.
I have a 30 inch waist.
I can't say I'm at the strongest of my life, but I'd give anyone in my wieght group a run for their money. Did 355 on bench today 5 times easy..at 170 lbs.
I get more interest from both sexes than ever in my life. And I'm an old geezer at 48.
All good right..
On the other hand
I am always cold (it's winter here in New Zealand) and with my bf being so low...I'm miserable
I'm always hungry
I get cramps all the time
I don't enjoy my food, it's a necessity. Eatting egg whites every morning is torture.
I don't socialze much as I canf drink and all my friends like to eat pizza and pasta and ribs...which I cant
My sex drive is zero. Buddies heads turn when a hotty walks by and I don't even notice or care
Have to pee all the time because I have to drink so much water like over 2 gallons a day
Don't sleep for more than an hr at a time as I have to get up to pee
Is it worth it???...for a while, I'm giving myself 2 years to live ultra clean. Then I'm going back to being healthy but somewhat normal.
First off, congrats on achieving the goals that you set out to hit. You are a testament to the fact that no matter one's age, if you set your mind on a goal it can be achieved.
However, eating "ultra clean" isn't a necessity to hit low bf%. As many have said, CICO is the only thing that matters for weight loss, and hitting macros will determine body composition. Now, depending on your caloric intake, it might be hard to fit a lot of "dirty" or "junk" foods in your diet, but eating a snickers bar, pizza, ice cream etc. will have zero effect on body comp, as long as it fits your macros.
The pervasive debate here on MFP seems to be whether or not you need to only eat "clean" to achieve any sort of goal, vs can you eat only "dirty" foods and still hit your goals. The problem however, is the label of foods and what tends to be considered healthy, as well a huge misunderstanding of "diets". No one I know that has a right mind would advocate only eating pop tarts and twinkies to lose weight. And no one is able to define what eating "clean" really is. Those in the know understand micronutrient density, and the importance of eating a "balanced" diet. Yes, I eat ice cream, almost every night. But if you look at my diary, you'll see a majority of "clean" foods. I have macro and micro goals to hit, and I know I can't hit them by only eating micronutrient sparse foods. But I also realize that once I hit my micros, I can fit the "junk" foods in, without health, performance or body image fears.
Health is more than what is put into your mouth. Lifestyle, morale choices, fitness levels all play a part. I choose to live a healthy lifestlye, but I know I can have my cake and eat it too.
p.s. - I'd check with a doctor ASAP. Depending on how long you've been in a deficit, your dietary fat intake and other things, you could have done damage, maybe irreversible, to your test and hormone levels.0 -
It certainly depends on what you mean by clean eating, but if you are saying avoiding processed foods, it is probably better for your body not getting as much of the chemicals and additives, extra sodium and sugar.
It is your choice, totally up to each one of us.0 -
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Clean eating definitely pays off in the end you feel so much better and have lots of energy!!
Hi I'm Michaela
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CurrentWeight:126
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I'm on everyday and check my feed constantly, I love to give advice and motivate so feel free to add me (:0 -
You're gonna get a lot of haters on here I think
I like eating clean because it's healthier and it keeps me full and satiated. I have less headaches and digestion issues, I sleep better and I personally lose weight faster when eating clean.
You need to find a lifestyle that will last for you and remember any progress is good progress. Try not to get too worried about what anyone else is doing. Many of them will fail in the long run anyway. Just do what works for you and what you can stick with and be happy for any and every success you find.
This has been my experience, too. It FEELS like it makes a difference to me. I feel better and my skin looks better. I have discovered things that make my weight loss more consistent, through clean eating, but it has more to do with the balance of macro nutrients I suspect than anything else. But I'm trying to eat as healthily as I can with as few calories as I can be happy with, while getting enough fiber and vitamins and minerals from my food as I can. I have a theory that the micro nutrients that aren't listed on nutrition labels are just as important to our overall health and longevity as the things that people talk about the most. The number of sick people in our society seems to be increasing, cancer rates are up dramatically, and I suspect it has to do with the number of toxins we were exposed to... some of which are in our food.
I mean, seriously, silly hippies in the 60s and 70s were predicting that our toxic environment and processed foods and lousy farming practices would cause increases in cancer, mental illness, infertility, and immune disorders. We've had amazing increases in those things and there seems to be a lack of condenses about why. At this point, I"m inclined to go with the prophetic words of the silly hippies until someone comes up with something more compelling.
Plus, it won't hurt me to eat more clean.
Much of my position on clean eating derived from studying breastfeeding and the composition of breast milk. THAT is some fascinating science!! It is amazing what bodies can do. There are so many micro nutrients in breast milk that we have yet to identify all of them, much less what they do and why they are there. Clearly, micro nutrients aren't without value. However, they show up in very small amounts in foods that are processed. Many of the things people eat today have nutrients removed and then other nutrients added back in... well, we can only add back in the things we know about. It leaves me wondering what is in food in a more natural state that isn't in food that has been manipulated, and if we need it for optimum health.
My long term goal is to live a long time and to do so with as much health and happiness as I can. I want my life to make a positive difference. Supporting independent growers and farmers and folks practicing good stewardship is part of that. Eating a diverse diet is part of that. It seems that clean eating works toward both of those goals.
Of course, on another note, I ate a fairly diverse and clean diet when I weighed 300 pounds, too. So it doesn't translate into weight loss.0 -
How are processed foods in moderation detrimental to our health?It certainly depends on what you mean by clean eating, but if you are saying avoiding processed foods, it is probably better for your body not getting as much of the chemicals and additives, extra sodium and sugar.
It is your choice, totally up to each one of us.
I didn't say it was detrimental, in moderation. Just said it is up to you what you want to eat. Don't assume.........you know what that does.0 -
It certainly depends on what you mean by clean eating, but if you are saying avoiding processed foods, it is probably better for your body not getting as much of the chemicals and additives, extra sodium and sugar.
It is your choice, totally up to each one of us.
Not all "processed" foods have the same ingredients. Rather than over generalizing about processing, why not avoid specific ingredients you think are problems.
For example one reason to choose frozen veggies over canned (in addition to taste and a probably better nutrient profile) is that canned has more sodium. Both are, of course, processed. Indeed, in the winter when you may be eating "fresh" veggies from thousands of miles away, the frozen are likely a better choice, although I don't always follow my own advice, since they just look less appealing sometimes. I just don't delude myself that the banana or zucchini in January is more "natural."0 -
Clean eating means different things to different people.
I think in general, overprocessed stuff tends to be less full of the good stuff. And the good stuff makes me feel good, so I want more of it.
Fast food - I've pretty much given it up. That's beenn great for weight loss. Even better for stopping my cravings to overeat.
Canned soups - So salty, and I never even realized it until I started making my own soup. My version is "clean" progresso is not. Mine is delicious and doesn't make me retain water. Win
Snacking - I used to eat chips, goldfish, little bite muffins, stuff like that. Not clean. Not filling. Makes me feel icky. Now I eat clean snacks that in general equal the same amount of calories - fruits, nuts, celery and hummus, cheeses.....and I feel full and satisfied. Holds me over to the next meal instead of just being a snack to pass the time chewing on something.
Fresh ingredients - Definitely have been a big difference in my meals. I've been using fresh herbs when possible, and it really brings my cooking up to the next level in taste.
So in general, I think there are a lot of positives to eating "Clean" and replacing processed stuff when possible with "Real food." But our world is a hard one to live in if you attempt to give it all up entirely. I know at least once a month I will still end up in McDonalds for some kids event. Or I will need a snack and only the kids snacks will be available. Everything in moderation.0 -
It certainly depends on what you mean by clean eating, but if you are saying avoiding processed foods, it is probably better for your body not getting as much of the chemicals and additives, extra sodium and sugar.
It is your choice, totally up to each one of us.
Not all "processed" foods have the same ingredients. Rather than over generalizing about processing, why not avoid specific ingredients you think are problems.
For example one reason to choose frozen veggies over canned (in addition to taste and a probably better nutrient profile) is that canned has more sodium. Both are, of course, processed. Indeed, in the winter when you may be eating "fresh" veggies from thousands of miles away, the frozen are likely a better choice, although I don't always follow my own advice, since they just look less appealing sometimes. I just don't delude myself that the banana or zucchini in January is more "natural."
Everything is processed to lesser or greater degrees. Even growing it and butchering it yourself, you will be processing your food. I think most people know the difference.0 -
It certainly depends on what you mean by clean eating, but if you are saying avoiding processed foods, it is probably better for your body not getting as much of the chemicals and additives, extra sodium and sugar.
It is your choice, totally up to each one of us.
Not all "processed" foods have the same ingredients. Rather than over generalizing about processing, why not avoid specific ingredients you think are problems.
For example one reason to choose frozen veggies over canned (in addition to taste and a probably better nutrient profile) is that canned has more sodium. Both are, of course, processed. Indeed, in the winter when you may be eating "fresh" veggies from thousands of miles away, the frozen are likely a better choice, although I don't always follow my own advice, since they just look less appealing sometimes. I just don't delude myself that the banana or zucchini in January is more "natural."
Everything is processed to lesser or greater degrees. Even growing it and butchering it yourself, you will be processing your food. I think most people know the difference.
So where is the line between "good" processed foods and "bad" processed foods? That was the question. Which ingredients or preparation methods make something potentially detrimental to one's health?0 -
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Pay off how? Does eating, say 1500 calories of nutrient dense, whole foods benefit you more than eating 1500 calories of "hot pockets" doritos and coke? Yes. In the long run. Do you have to do it to make the number on the scale go down? No.
To me there's a hell of a lot more to this than the number on the scale.
As I get older, I think about my overall, longterm health. And, I know that eating a nutrient dense, whole food diet will benefit me more than a diet based around prepackaged convenience foods and crap.
Do I eat some junk? Sure. But that's not the basis of my daily diet. And I make sure that when I DO eat crap that it doesn't affect my next dietary choices. i.e. for ME, eating a twinkie (gag) would lead to me wanting to eat more junk. Eating tortilla chips leads me to crave carbs... so I choose and time my junk foods wisely.0 -
I didn't/don't eat clean completely, i eat balanced. I lost my weight eating what i wanted, just less of it and more fruit and veg.0
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It certainly depends on what you mean by clean eating, but if you are saying avoiding processed foods, it is probably better for your body not getting as much of the chemicals and additives, extra sodium and sugar.
It is your choice, totally up to each one of us.
Not all "processed" foods have the same ingredients. Rather than over generalizing about processing, why not avoid specific ingredients you think are problems.
For example one reason to choose frozen veggies over canned (in addition to taste and a probably better nutrient profile) is that canned has more sodium. Both are, of course, processed. Indeed, in the winter when you may be eating "fresh" veggies from thousands of miles away, the frozen are likely a better choice, although I don't always follow my own advice, since they just look less appealing sometimes. I just don't delude myself that the banana or zucchini in January is more "natural."
Everything is processed to lesser or greater degrees. Even growing it and butchering it yourself, you will be processing your food. I think most people know the difference.
I don't think so. These discussions always indicate otherwise. If there are specific things clean eaters are agreeing should be avoided beyond vague processing or some reason why it's healthier to eliminate common ingredients like flour for the average person it's never explained. I think most people just feel more virtuous going on about being "clean" but really mean nothing more than they eat more healthy than they used to. Which is great, but doesn't actually mean they have a different way of eating than people who dislike the sanctimonious term.
Some really do claim to go beyond that, and then the question is why cutting out Fage would be better for me.0 -
Pay off how? Does eating, say 1500 calories of nutrient dense, whole foods benefit you more than eating 1500 calories of "hot pockets" doritos and coke? Yes. In the long run. Do you have to do it to make the number on the scale go down? No.
To me there's a hell of a lot more to this than the number on the scale.
As I get older, I think about my overall, longterm health. And, I know that eating a nutrient dense, whole food diet will benefit me more than a diet based around prepackaged convenience foods and crap.
Do I eat some junk? Sure. But that's not the basis of my daily diet. And I make sure that when I DO eat crap that it doesn't affect my next dietary choices. i.e. for ME, eating a twinkie (gag) would lead to me wanting to eat more junk. Eating tortilla chips leads me to crave carbs... so I choose and time my junk foods wisely.
And as usual I agree with everything you say here. Except the argument isn't about 1500 calories of mostly nutrient dense food with a bit of junk (what I aspire to also) vs 1500 calories of hot pockets. It's about the former vs. some allegedly superior "clean" diet.
So, yeah, I see no benefits from eating "clean" when that's made clear, especially since the majority of people who self define as clean can't even say what makes their diet "clean" and the former person's not.0 -
Then word you statements properly so they don't appear to be in absolutes. In time you'll learn and succeed in this game.
How are processed foods in moderation detrimental to our health?It certainly depends on what you mean by clean eating, but if you are saying avoiding processed foods, it is probably better for your body not getting as much of the chemicals and additives, extra sodium and sugar.
It is your choice, totally up to each one of us.
I didn't say it was detrimental, in moderation. Just said it is up to you what you want to eat. Don't assume.........you know what that does.
I will not go into semantics with you. Clearly, you are reading into my words something I did not mean to imply, or say.
BTW. I have had success here by anyone's standards. I have been on this site for almost 30 months (all but the last 2 months under a different name) I have lost over 160 pounds. Went from a size 24W to size 10. Again.........do not assume......you do not know me or my situation.0 -
And I think your opinions about other people's reasoning are just that, your opinions. "sanctimonious", "virtuous". Those are YOUR opinions.It certainly depends on what you mean by clean eating, but if you are saying avoiding processed foods, it is probably better for your body not getting as much of the chemicals and additives, extra sodium and sugar.
It is your choice, totally up to each one of us.
Not all "processed" foods have the same ingredients. Rather than over generalizing about processing, why not avoid specific ingredients you think are problems.
For example one reason to choose frozen veggies over canned (in addition to taste and a probably better nutrient profile) is that canned has more sodium. Both are, of course, processed. Indeed, in the winter when you may be eating "fresh" veggies from thousands of miles away, the frozen are likely a better choice, although I don't always follow my own advice, since they just look less appealing sometimes. I just don't delude myself that the banana or zucchini in January is more "natural."
Everything is processed to lesser or greater degrees. Even growing it and butchering it yourself, you will be processing your food. I think most people know the difference.
I don't think so. These discussions always indicate otherwise. If there are specific things clean eaters are agreeing should be avoided beyond vague processing or some reason why it's healthier to eliminate common ingredients like flour for the average person it's never explained. I think most people just feel more virtuous going on about being "clean" but really mean nothing more than they eat more healthy than they used to. Which is great, but doesn't actually mean they have a different way of eating than people who dislike the sanctimonious term.
Some really do claim to go beyond that, and then the question is why cutting out Fage would be better for me.
Clean is a word. It's not very precise, here, it's not very exact here. It's not terribly useful (nor is IIFYM for most people) here but your judgement as to why folks use the term, or eat a particular way is pretty much on you. Not them. Just as it would be on ME if I thought the "i'm not a fool I eat all the foods" comments are sanctimonious.
I don't think folks eat nutrient dense whole foods for you or anyone else. I certainly don't think they speak of them in an attempt to make you or anyone else feel "bad".
The whole discussion over and over is kinda silly. Why not, when a "clean" thread comes up: say "hey, that's not a particularly useful term, instead, why not say you eat nutrient dense whole foods..." or something like that. Educate folks as to why the term doesn't really work. Or just skip the thread altogether if educating isn't your aim.
I just can't fathom how much time is wasted here arguing about a word. No one really disagrees conceptually that eating nutrient dense whole foods is good for you.
This isn't directed at you, per se except for the "sanctimonious"and "virtuous" comments.
Just a general observation.0 -
It helps, just hang in there, patience is key but in the end its all worth it.0
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So EDUCATE people. Rather than just using churchy words. That's all I'm saying. ASK people, in a want to share way how they construct their diets. And then point out the flaws in their logic. Are january bananas good for you? Probably. Are they "natural" no, perhaps the term you want to use mr MFP user is "nutrient dense"....Pay off how? Does eating, say 1500 calories of nutrient dense, whole foods benefit you more than eating 1500 calories of "hot pockets" doritos and coke? Yes. In the long run. Do you have to do it to make the number on the scale go down? No.
To me there's a hell of a lot more to this than the number on the scale.
As I get older, I think about my overall, longterm health. And, I know that eating a nutrient dense, whole food diet will benefit me more than a diet based around prepackaged convenience foods and crap.
Do I eat some junk? Sure. But that's not the basis of my daily diet. And I make sure that when I DO eat crap that it doesn't affect my next dietary choices. i.e. for ME, eating a twinkie (gag) would lead to me wanting to eat more junk. Eating tortilla chips leads me to crave carbs... so I choose and time my junk foods wisely.
And as usual I agree with everything you say here. Except the argument isn't about 1500 calories of mostly nutrient dense food with a bit of junk (what I aspire to also) vs 1500 calories of hot pockets. It's about the former vs. some allegedly superior "clean" diet.
So, yeah, I see no benefits from eating "clean" when that's made clear, especially since the majority of people who self define as clean can't even say what makes their diet "clean" and the former person's not.
And since you DO know why sprouted grains are better for you than wonder bread, explain that to someone who's dumping them because they're "white".:flowerforyou:
ETA: I have to wonder how many folks who innocently post or ask about "clean" eating are turned off and leave the forums based on all the darned arguments....0 -
I eat whatever fits into my macros / calorie goals. Typically this ends up being clean foods a lot of the times anyway. If you're on restircted calories, you won't be able to fit that much junk into your diet regardless. But it won't kill you if you have a treat now and then if you can actually make it fit. Other thing about eating junk is they tend to make you want more than you should have. I counteract this by making my own macro friendly alternatives to junk that tast just as good - i.e. protein cheesecake, cakes, flavored oatmeals, and other things like that.
I don't consider what I eat to be a 'clean' diet though. I don't preach that either, I just eat what is easiest for me to fit in. Sometimes it even includes beer, like tonight I will have some.0 -
The question again is... what does 'clean eating' mean? I mean, unless you're buying totally organic, including meats, and making everything from scratch with your organic stuff, you're probably not eating as clean as you think anyway. And if you can afford that, why are you on MFP and not working with a nutritionist and personal trainer?
So does it pay off? I don't know, I think I'd rather spend my time and money elsewhere.0 -
How can something that has no defined meaning have a pay off?: Your "clean" is another persons "junk".0
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I eat relatively clean but only do it because I FEEL MUCH BETTER than when I eat packaged crap. I'm not trying to lose weight faster because when I ate less than I do now and ate "healthy" packaged things, it definitely backfired. You have to do what makes you feel good and what works for you.0
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