Clean v Not?

supertracylynn

People say that they're going to try to eat clean, that they are eating clean, they admire people who eat clean, blah blah blah.

What is your idea of "clean" eating? I view it as eating (expensive) organic foods.

With that being said, isn't it just as good to eat like a pescatarian, or a vegetarian?

How do you think "eating clean" stacks up to being vegan or going raw?

[disclaimer: I consider myself a pescatarian]

Articeluvsmemphis

bump

billsica

People say that they're going to try to eat clean, that they are eating clean, they admire people who eat clean, blah blah blah.

What is your idea of "clean" eating? I view it as eating (expensive) organic foods.

With that being said, isn't it just as good to eat like a pescatarian, or a vegetarian?

How do you think "eating clean" stacks up to being vegan or going raw?

If your a vegetarian, you can eat all the pizza and beer that you want. there are many fat veggies.

kaf330

does wiping it off after it falls on the floor count as "clean" :-)

usmcmp

Most of my friends (myself included) consider eating clean just not eating processed foods. Eating clean still includes chicken, beef, eggs, fish, fruits, veggies, dairy etc. Eating clean is not eating something that comes from a box or can sit on a shelf for a while.

Kirsty_UK

I dont know the strict definition, but I always though of eating clean as eating non-processed, so not eating pre packaged food, or pre-made sauces and soups etc, but making your own from base ingredients, hence avoiding the preservatives, additives etc. I don't think of it as eating only organic.

mark03264

I don't look at "clean eating" as organic. I look at it as not eating junk food or food that has been processed much. Yes, "junk food" is a rather general, broad term but if you consider it junk food then it is not clean eating.

ering

Clean eating to me means not eating junk food.

akgrl1020

I view eating "clean" as eating unprocessed foods. They don't have to be the expensive organics (especially up here in Alaska). I spray fruits and veggies with vinegar, and rinse them well. I do shell out a bit extra for my Dave's Killer Bread, because it is amazing, but other then that, I try to stay away from processed foods.

vim_n_vigor

Clean refers to the level of processing in the food. Vegans can still eat junk food - it just doesn't have animal products in it. Clean foods are as close as possible to their original state. Raw eaters by nature would be eating clean - by definition as clean as it can be!

chatal36

does wiping it off after it falls on the floor count as "clean" :-)

hahaha

jamk1446

For me, eating clean is avoiding artificial ingredients- flavorings, colors, sweeteners, processed/ packaged foods, fast food and some restaurant food. Clean eating can be anything from omnivorous to vegan and many shades of gray in between. If I can get organics at a reasonable price, that's a bonus. Avoiding all that artificial crap is most of the battle to eating well, IMO. Organic junk foods are still junk foods.

fteale

No fructose syrup, no processed meat, no white bread, nothing deep fried.

I eat real food, as in I make most of it from scratch, but I eat yoghurt and chocolate and alcohol, so I am guessing I don't fit into some people's description.

questionablemethods

With that being said, isn't it just as good to eat like a pescatarian, or a vegetarian?

How do you think "eating clean" stacks up to being vegan or going raw?

My definition of eating clean means trying to eat food in as close to its original state as possible. This means that I try to buy food with one ingredient! If I want broccoli, I buy broccoli, not broccoli coated with some sauce. If I want sauce on my broccoli (which I don't, usually), I make the sauce so I know what is in it. I don't think it needs to be organic (though I try to be aware of foods that are likely to have higher pesticide levels and buy those organic when I can). It probably *is* more expensive than eating ramen and Rice Krispies for most meals (like I did in college--did not go well....). But it doesn't have to mean shopping only at Whole Foods or "boutique" grocery stores.

As others have mentioned, being pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan doesn't mean the same thing as eating clean. There are PLENTY of processed foods with no real nutritional value that are vegan. Heck, my husband and I had vegan cupcakes at our wedding!

Sometimes being vegetarian or vegan can equate to eating *less* cleanly (if you really want to get strict about it) because, well, think of how processed something like tofu is or fake meat patties--those are pretty far removed from nature.

Qarol

does wiping it off after it falls on the floor count as "clean" :-)

Five second rule?

Avalonis

People say that they're going to try to eat clean, that they are eating clean, they admire people who eat clean, blah blah blah.

What is your idea of "clean" eating? I view it as eating (expensive) organic foods.

With that being said, isn't it just as good to eat like a pescatarian, or a vegetarian?

How do you think "eating clean" stacks up to being vegan or going raw?

[disclaimer: I consider myself a pescatarian]

Eating "clean" for me means lots of veggies, lean meats, low fat, and only complex carbs.

kyle4jem

Eating clean is great if you've got all the time in the world to make and perpare all you food from scratch... and I mean ALL.

When you're working all day and add in commuting time, it leaves barely enough time to put a nutritionally balanced meal on the table. We tend to eat fresh meat and veg, but use frozen peas, tinned sweetcorn and tomatoes. I love wet fish, but for convenience, buy pre-beaded fish to bake in the oven. Couldn't live without express rice, dried herbs, mayo, cheese spreads, crispbread and oatcakes.

The only "processed" ready meals that I tend to go for now and again are curries (and haven't had any since being on MFP) and have banished biscuits and chocolate from allowance as I'm on an 8-week pledge.

supertracylynn

I am agreeing with all of you, including wiping my food off after it's fallen on the ground with something clean.

This is why I feel mixed emotions on eating my tofu and veggie burgers. Maybe when I'm not so lazy i'll start making my own

Anyone else notice feeling better about life in general when eating more along there's side of things?

ering

I am agreeing with all of you, including wiping my food off after it's fallen on the ground with something clean.

This is why I feel mixed emotions on eating my tofu and veggie burgers. Maybe when I'm not so lazy i'll start making my own

Anyone else notice feeling better about life in general when eating more along there's side of things?

I have been eating fairly clean lately. But.....I ate out last night. Chineese food for my son's birthday. I was and still feel sick to my stomach. It went right on through lol :sick: . So YES I notice a difference when I eat junk. And, I don't plan on having Chineese food any time soon.

Glucocorticoid

You can't objectively define clean. That's why it is laughable when I see countless threads in here toss around this term.

Here's a good look at the topic. Read it.

http://www.wannabebig.com/diet-and-nutrition/the-dirt-on-clean-eating/

questionablemethods

You can't objectively define clean. That's why it is laughable when I see countless threads in here toss around this term.

Sure, but she asked for *our* definitions. :happy:

Silverkittycat

I guess it depends on how you define clean. Many define it as food that is not processed or altered from it's original form, in any way. Right now I'm finding it hard to get raw milk instead of pasteurized and homogenized, so I use organic, not ideal but what can you do. I buy packaged and deli meats and chicken and such because I won't go to a butcher. I don't want to grind my own meat or flour. Cows and chickens running around my backyard are something my city frowns upon.

Same with things in cans - I like tuna from a can or pouch, I know it's processed but I'm okay with that. It's hard to find almonds unprocessed, let alone corn or soybeans that aren't genetically modified. I drink processed coconut water. I eat pasta that comes in a box or bag. Luckily in Florida we've got plenty of fruit and even a few veggies I can get unaltered. I do try to avoid preservatives, additives, pesticides and fungicides and I take part in my local organic food delivery program and our community garden, but I still buy and eat processed food. I guess I really don't want to put the time in to make things like yogurt or spaghetti sauce from scratch.

I respect and admire people that put in the effort to eat clean, it's much more time consuming than most realize.


* I've heard this used a lot to define "clean eating" - If you can shoot it or grow it, eat it!

sara709

If it can go bad, it's clean. If it can live on your shelf for a nice while, it's not.

Personally, I was a vegetarian for 10 years, 3 of those vegan, dabbled with raw but never committed. I gained weight. I have a dairy allergy so it isn't as if I was eating tons of cheese or anything either. What you have to keep in mind is that a lot of tempting foods are vegetarian (i.e. ice cream) and a lot are even vegan (i.e. lots of chips). You'll still have to be mindful that you're eating well. One of my biggest traps, though, was protein. Yes, you can get lots of protein on vegan and vegetarian diets but I found it challenging for myself and always ended up hungry.

But that's just me. There are plenty of people out there who do it, do it well, and are teeny tiny.