who here eats clean and .....
CeleryStalker
Posts: 665 Member
how long after you started to eat clean did you notice your body thanking you for it, in more ways than just weight loss?
A couple years ago I was a huge clean eating snob, shopping mainly the perimeter of the grocery store, eating food as nature intended it to be eaten, and I just remember how awesome I felt all the time, how great my skin looked, how much energy I had, and all that jazz.
I had surgery last summer and that blew basically my whole healthy living regimen out of orbit, I gained some weight, I fell back into old habits of eating crap, and the results haven't been real pretty. I finally got my head out of my *kitten* and I'm back on the road to success. Just kind of wanted to blab about clean eating here on the forum, maybe learn a thing or two, and maybe even inspire others to do the same.
I love clean eating. I love how I can just slice up a bunch of fresh, colorful bell peppers and stash them in the fridge for the week where I can reach in, grab a handful and a bag of nuts or maybe a slice of Ezekiel bread, and be on my merry way out the door. I love how I feel when I'm driving down the road, munching on said pepper strips, knowing that what I'm doing is so great for my body, and reflecting back on the days when instead of peppers, that might be a snicker bar and a Pepsi in my hand.
I'm looking forward to the garbage to be completely out of my system. I know once the remnants of my garbage 'food' is gone from my bloodstream and has been replaced with vitamins and minerals from all the fresh, healthy, unadulterated goodness I've been eating, the cravings for refined, processed poison will cease to exist entirely and it won't even be an effort to leave them on the shelves at the grocery store.
If you've got a clean eating success story you'd like to share on this thread, please feel free to do so!
A couple years ago I was a huge clean eating snob, shopping mainly the perimeter of the grocery store, eating food as nature intended it to be eaten, and I just remember how awesome I felt all the time, how great my skin looked, how much energy I had, and all that jazz.
I had surgery last summer and that blew basically my whole healthy living regimen out of orbit, I gained some weight, I fell back into old habits of eating crap, and the results haven't been real pretty. I finally got my head out of my *kitten* and I'm back on the road to success. Just kind of wanted to blab about clean eating here on the forum, maybe learn a thing or two, and maybe even inspire others to do the same.
I love clean eating. I love how I can just slice up a bunch of fresh, colorful bell peppers and stash them in the fridge for the week where I can reach in, grab a handful and a bag of nuts or maybe a slice of Ezekiel bread, and be on my merry way out the door. I love how I feel when I'm driving down the road, munching on said pepper strips, knowing that what I'm doing is so great for my body, and reflecting back on the days when instead of peppers, that might be a snicker bar and a Pepsi in my hand.
I'm looking forward to the garbage to be completely out of my system. I know once the remnants of my garbage 'food' is gone from my bloodstream and has been replaced with vitamins and minerals from all the fresh, healthy, unadulterated goodness I've been eating, the cravings for refined, processed poison will cease to exist entirely and it won't even be an effort to leave them on the shelves at the grocery store.
If you've got a clean eating success story you'd like to share on this thread, please feel free to do so!
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I am with you , I love to eat organic and cook for myself a majority of the time. I notice textures and tastes are very different and I so much more control of what I am fueling myself with. The quality of my food has never been a problem it is my emotional eating which has until recently had a life of its own. I finally feel in control. I also cannot believe what consistant exercise has done for me,.\ emotionally and physically. Today was the first day at the farmers market so excited about a healthy low cal dinner. Best Wishes
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If you mean eating fresh, raw foods without preservatives or additives, organic and whole grain... than yes its a great feeling
1) knowing that your body is eating foods the way that they were meant to be eaten
2) my hair, skin, and nails are all healthy looking and feeling
3) i have cured my IBS (Irritable bowel symdrome)
4) lost weight
5) improved my anxiety and depression
6) taught my family how to eat better
its a great feeling!0 -
Fellow food snobs unite! LOL I suppose I am what you are calling a "clean eater". I have been blessed/cursed with a body that just will not function if I eat crap. That being said, I still manage to stand in my own way for long periods of time and gain weight and form some bizarre and life-changing health problems. But junk food for me is usually health food for most people. : /
What is truly exciting is that as soon as I get my act together and give my body what it wants....miracles happen! Serious miracles....0 -
I have been eating clean for the longest time. I only drink bottled water and eat fresh fruits and vegetables (in Summer they come out of my garden), along with chicken and fish and Greek Yogurt. Nothing out of a box or baked and no sweets either. I used to eat unsalted nuts but they are too high in calories for me. I even gave up the healthy whole wheat/grain bread. My only indulgence would be 100 calorie pack kettle corn and low fat fudgesicles. It's made me feel great and has helped me to lose weight too and lower my cholesterol. I'm sticking to this eating pattern cause it works for me.0
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I'm curious, what is the definition of clean eating? Is it the same as organic?0
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CeleryStalker : similar scenario...just came out of hospital and it blew my clean diet to crap!! I was never perfect but sooooo much better than I had ever been in my life. Skin and hair was better and I lost weight where as before it was a miracle if I dropped a lb. I know that, like you mentioned, once I get this junk out of my system I'll start craving my veggies again....I can't wait to get back on track.
Good luck!
Also, I've been looking for ezekiel bread forever and can't find it? Do you have to purchase it in a specialty store?0 -
If you mean eating fresh, raw foods without preservatives or additives, organic and whole grain... than yes its a great feeling
That's exactly what I'm talking about
Sarah, it's not the same as organic. Clean eating is eating food as close to nature intended, basically what you can find in the perimeter of your grocery store. Fresh fruits, veggies, meats, whole grain.....organic is part of it, but whoa nelly, there's a ton of organic stuff that is far from clean, LOL0 -
Been eating clean, since highschool back before it was popular....grewup eating out our family garden, raisng our own eggs, beef, etc if I eat at fast food my body rejects me....I feel lighter , clear skin, I don't smell, and I don't look my age. :-) my husbands parents were hippies, so it made eating clean easy.0
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Also, I've been looking for ezekiel bread forever and can't find it? Do you have to purchase it in a specialty store?
Not sure where ya live, but if you live where there are Food Lion grocery stores, the nicer ones carry it over in the freezer section. Lowes Food and Kroger both carry it, as do Trader Joe's and Whole Foods
Most stores keep it refrigerated. I think Trader Joe's is the only place I've seen it not in the fridge. I was wondering why on the way home from there today. LOL0 -
Been eating clean, since highschool back before it was popular....grewup eating out our family garden, raisng our own eggs, beef, etc if I eat at fast food my body rejects me....I feel lighter , clear skin, I don't smell, and I don't look my age. :-) my husbands parents were hippies, so it made eating clean easy.
LOL Lucky! No hippies in my family to keep me honest, but I have to say, eating clean is a lot easier than any other way of eating. I've tried so many ways to lose weight, so many restrictive plans, and while they may have worked while 'on' them, I quickly got sick of adhering to the rules of whatever. Like low carb....it would seriously piss me off to not be able to eat fruit. Why can't I eat fruit? It's healthy and loaded with nutrients, damn it!
Eating clean is just awesome. I love fruits and veggies anyways, and since having kids, I've gone the organic meat and dairy route because, and I'm sure she will hate me for this later but, I didn't want my daughter sprouting a full set of boobs in 4th grade and I really, really believe that the reason kids are hitting puberty earlier and earlier is because of the hormones being used with our food sources.0 -
I have "lost my way " with and abusive ex-husband that would starve me and I started to eat what ever I could sneak. When I had my children i started eating better I gained 200 pounds from not eating and now I don't want my children to have trouble so im trying to get them eating "right". My new husband loves the way the kids eat they ask for fruit over candy they know where its best to shop and they love to watch Mommy cook. In high school i ate clean with out knowing it I have started to see the boost in energy over the last few years after getting back on track. I also have a severe allergy to food dyes so whole foods and organic was a way for me to coop my family don't think that you can have a allergy to foods or dyes, but their nephew has a peanut allergy and they have no troubles with that but I have been hospitalized for mine and they told me to get up and take care of my kids. Clean eating has saved my life. What better expectations can I have?0
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Last October I was fed up with feeling like crap all the time. Tired, cranky, acid reflux, upset stomach.. you know the 'senior' ailments. I am 44 and at the time weighed 239, an all time high. My local Whole Foods had a couple of folks there who had FREE cooking classes, except they didn't really 'cook'. It was RAW food recipes and juicing. I started learning about clean eating and went through a 28 day detox. No alcohol, grains, dairy, sugar or caffeine for 28 days! I ate mostly raw foods with a small amount of cooked. I thought the lack of caffeine would kill me but it didn't, as a matter of fact I lost 15lbs, got rid of the acid reflux and stomach issues and had more energy than I knew what to do with!! I don't remember the last time I felt so good!!!
I've had rocky road of finding a good balance. I would get derailed any time I was outside of my comfort zone; traveling for work, lunch with clients etc.. but now I am focusing on sticking with the basics. It's a lifestyle change and I am battling years of eating the SAD (standard american diet) way. Emotional eating has also been a big factor so I am working on balance.
I highly recommend juicing!!! O.. M.. G!!! I've never felt better while juicing. For bfast I juice, Carrots (8), Apples (1-2) and Lemon (1). This yields about 12-14oz of juice. Drink on an empty stomach and wait at least 20 minutes before eating anything. Your body will thank you. No more stomach issues... no more acid reflux and LOTS more energy!!!!!
Would love to know some of your favs!!!!
Debbie0 -
I don't eat processed food or sweet drinks, but I don't really think about it, it's just how I was brought up. You eat food you could grow yourself and drink water or tea.
I hate peppers, though! In fact, I don't like many/any vegetables raw.0 -
one thing i have noticed when i ditched the processed, fatty and sugary foods is i never feel that really starving feeling i get sometimes when i come home from work and have to shove any old crap in my mouth to quench it. I always feel i can wait for the right time to eat because i am not going short of any essential food groups. when filling up on 'unclean foods' you are missing a lot of nutrients so start to crave again not long after which as we all know becomes a vicious circle with one loser. now if only there was clean beer!!0
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we were really good at doing this a few years ago, the last couple years not so much
but my question: do any of you go through cleansings? like a detox, or one of those other things that clean out your system and get rid of the stuff that really shouldnt be lingering there? lol... i've always been curious about those and if they really work. 0 -
I can't speak for everyone, but after a month of eating "clean," I really didn't feel the need for a flashy detox. The majority of them just don't sound logical/healthy to me (unless you really need help, um, moving), and can mess with your digestion if you're not careful. I will periodically go vegan or raw, but that's mostly to reset my attitude toward food after a vacation or something (and it does make me feel light and detoxified).
What I love most about clean eating is that after awhile processed and chemical foods taste just that--fake. The last time I ate fries at a fast food joint, I nearly gagged from the salt. I love real food . . .0 -
I thought it had been pretty much proved that detoxing is a con.0
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I have recently been very interested in moving torward clean eating. I've found it challenging especially with side dishes at dinner. Does anyone have any suggestions, other than brown rice? Thanks!0
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one thing i have noticed when i ditched the processed, fatty and sugary foods is i never feel that really starving feeling i get sometimes when i come home from work and have to shove any old crap in my mouth to quench it. I always feel i can wait for the right time to eat because i am not going short of any essential food groups. when filling up on 'unclean foods' you are missing a lot of nutrients so start to crave again not long after which as we all know becomes a vicious circle with one loser. now if only there was clean beer!!
I agree on the beer! If you find one let me know :-)0 -
Can you guys give me a daily menu of what you would eat? I just don't see how I would meet my calorie goals? I do eat mostly good but definately room for improvement.0
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we were really good at doing this a few years ago, the last couple years not so much but my question: do any of you go through cleansings? like a detox, or one of those other things that clean out your system and get rid of the stuff that really shouldnt be lingering there? lol... i've always been curious about those and if they really work.
I did a 28 day detox. It shouldn't really be called a detox, since it's unlike the 'cleanses' you normally hear about. It was basically a month of eating clean and ditching the foods that cause cravings and stomach issues, like sugar, alcohol, dairy, grains and caffeine. After 28 days you slowly add in each item to see how your body reacts. I never felt better and I didn't I feel deprived in any way. I ate clean, whole foods with juice fresh organic juice. I felt full, energized and even got rid of my chronic acid reflux.0 -
I have recently been very interested in moving torward clean eating. I've found it challenging especially with side dishes at dinner. Does anyone have any suggestions, other than brown rice? Thanks!
oh heck ya! quinoa is a delicious grain and it's loaded with protein. I don't do a lot of starchy carbs to begin with. I'd love a big ol' pile of mashed potatoes, and they'd be 'clean' since they are straight from the ground, but I have found I just don't need the bulk like I thought I used to.
I usually will grill some veggies, or steam them, or sautee them. Maybe have a salad on the side instead, loaded with colorful peppers and tasty fresh minced garlic.
Whole grain pasta is available and they've made huge strides in that stuff in recent years. Whole grain pasta used to be disgusting, lol. I don't think that is the case anymore.
Sweet potatoes mashed up with some agave nectar, cinnamon, and raisins. Nom nom nom nom nom!
The solution to clean beer? Develop a taste for wine, LMAO!
For a vast list of clean eating sides, check out this link:
http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/category/side-dishes/
Another awesome clean eating recipe resource:
http://tpox-proceedwithcaution.blogspot.com/2009/11/clean-eating-recipe-index.html0 -
Well, I've kept Kosher most of my life.......but just started adding "healthy" to it. lol
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My husband and I have recently become interested in clean eating, raw eating and organic. I've always considered ourselves in a healthy lifestyle category but after researching and digging around and talking to people who have done it all their lives, it really opened our eyes to what food really is and the complete effects it has on our bodies and lifestyle. It's AMAZING and I've fallen in love with the whole thing!! Reading these posts just motivate me to eat cleaner, to raise animals and grow a garden! So any additional information will be of great use!! Thanks for posting this thread!
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Can you guys give me a daily menu of what you would eat? I just don't see how I would meet my calorie goals? I do eat mostly good but definately room for improvement.
It's easy to meet your caloric needs by consuming healthy fats, such as nut butters, avocado, olive oil, etc. The key to clean eating is to balance your nutrition. Our bodies weren't meant to be stuffed full of refined grains and fried foods. It's entirely possible to eat clean and still rack up the calories Beans and lentils can bring in a load of calories while providing lots of protein.
The method of eating is 5-6 small meals each day, consisting of 300-400 calories each. It's easy peasy to rack up just 300-400 calories at each feeding, and by the time you reach the end of the day, you've totaled between 1800-2400 calories of clean, REAL food. Mmm, makes me hungry just thinking about it, LOL0 -
I am really enjoying 'clean eating'.
It was not as hard for me as I thought it might be.
I love to cook but was getting into a bad habit of buying processed & convenience & canned foods.
I love to bake too but have cut that out for now ( at least until I have a healthier relationship with those kinds of foods ).
When I switched a little at a time at first and then switched totally over it was like I felt "cleaner" and lighter. It literally felt like my body was going through a kind of detoxing.
A couple times I gave in and had a piece of pretty birthday cake or a piece of one of those giant chocolate chip cookies. I regretted that b/c I literally felt sluggish and yucky for like 2 days. A couple times of that and you don't want to slip back into those bad habits.
Sugar doesn't agree with me anymore and that is amazing to me since I used to survive on the stuff.
No wonder I wasn't out moving then...( makes sense now ! )
Water is my drink of choice now ( sure wasn't 4 mos ago! ). That was a huge change for me.
I love all fruits & veggies and we have always raised our own meat. I am not a picky eater and I don't have any vices ( coffee, tea, alcohol, soda, smoking ) that I have had to give up...so I am truly blessed in that respect.
I love to look at Food Diaries for ideas and share 'clean' recipes.
My family is a little slower in the transition but they are making it little by little and don't even know it...lol
The meals every 3 hrs keep me from getting so hungry that I put anything in my mouth. When meal / snack time comes around, I can make a good choice b/c I don't have that gnawing hunger telling me to fill it with whatever is within reach.
I love that about this way of eating. The clean choices are also high in protein so what I eat stays with me so much longer than the high sugary foods I was eating before. No more sugar high roller coaster.
It also has helped b/c I am not grocery shopping when I am hungry.
I am sleeping better. My Dh says I am snoring less since I lost some of the weight.
Now...if I could only get him to snore less...
I have more energy.
I have stopped making excuses about exercising and have found all kinds of ways to get moving b/c I just feel better.
I savor my meals and snacks more instead of 'numb-dumb eating'.
Clothes are fitting better and I am going down in sizes.
I eat off a small plate with a small spoon and chew my food now ( yes, the 25 + times recommended ).
I recognize wanting to eat when I am emotional now and don't give into it ( knowing that I am still satisfied from the last meal or snack ) and distract myself with an activity / exercise.
Eating a Fuji or Gala apple now with natural peanut butter is my GO -TO afternoon snack now. Better than any other snack I can think of. My kids had a chocolate Nutty Bar the other day and offered me half of theirs (sweet kids) but I was SO happy with my PB & apple that I wasn't even tempted...not in the least.
I think that is AMAZING!
Someone mentioned quinoa and I haven't tried this yet but I will have to look for it next time I am in the store.
:flowerforyou:
Keep on...keepin' on....0 -
does anyone here who eats clean have an open diary. I'd like to try a month of clean eating and see how I feel, and i'd love recipe ideas!0
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I am not a clean eating snob, but I try to keep things as whole and clean as possible without it controling my life. Most days I probably have at least one thing that is not "clean" but I eat enough natural whole foods to keep healthy.0
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Ezekiel bread is in the freezer aisle at Safeways too!0
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I'm curious, what is the definition of clean eating? Is it the same as organic?
It's not the same as organic. Clean eating involves eating only unprocessed food, like what you would find around the perimeter of the grocery store as opposed to prepackaged foods. No preservatives etc. There are many processed and unhealthy organic foods. Organic does not necessarily mean "clean" or "healthy," it just refers to the process by which the ingredients of the food were grown/fed.0
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