Clean Eating Question

jennarandhayes

I am just starting to research clean eating. I love the idea of it, but I am a reformed processed foods junky, so I haven't yet embraced it fully...baby steps! Luckily I was raised by a hippie health nut (essentially clean eating, a lot of trail mix and granola!) so I have a taste for good, healthy food. My question is about carbs. I understand that clean eating means eating complex carbs, but do you count/limit carbs? If so, what are your daily goals? For instance, today I ate a banana, a banana nakd bar, some vegetable-bean chili, and a couple of other carb heavy items. For me it was a carb heavy day, but it was very good in terms of eating clean. I guess I'm conflicted. Any advice/ideas?

SergeantSunshine_reused

No need to restrict them focus on your baby sets to clean eating. Carbs are not the enemy! Even though you had carb heavy meals you go SO MANY nutrients and vitamins today, congrats!

Loko_Ino

something popular is 40/30/30 = carb/fat/protein
those are percent in your daily intake

tmiqueen

I'm on Team Carbs and don't think all carbs are created equal.

For instance, you're better off getting your carbs from a healthy FIBER-filled, NUTRIENT-filled chili than you'll ever be with a bag of gummy bears.

If the carbohydrate-rich food has fiber (which you need to keep your colon cleaned out (and is a colon cancer preventative) and has vital nutrients that your body needs to function properly, I see no wrong in it, as long as you stay under calories and exercise regularly.

It's not like I'm a runway model who HAS to have a super lean body or a bodybuilder. If I was, I'd be an Atkins, rah rah protein junkie. Otherwise, if I have some healthy curves from eating nutritious foods, then so be it. I think more in terms of "healthy" rather than "skinny".

jennarandhayes

Interesting...today I was 60/10/30. I'll look in to that, thanks!

kgh826

I agree with other folks postings.. its the quality of the carbs that is the key. Carbs have gotten a bad rap but are necessary for your body.
Clean eating doesn't restrict eating pasta, etc..my take is its more about eating less processed foods and having balanced meals.

scraver2003

I find 50% carbs works well for me. When I tried to go low, I felt hungry and cr@ppy. I know lots of people do well on low-carb, but not I. I like my veggies (carbs!) and I have a little fruit (just ate a cup of strawberries - that will be it for fruit for today). I eat things like oatmeal, quinoa, barley, whole wheat pasta, occassionally brown rice. I try to cook dinners and save left-overs for lunch. unfortunately, sometimes I need to grab a Healthy Choice frozen lunch when I get stuck. I wish they made them with (besides less sodium) whole grain pasta/rice.

I eat beans. I make my own veggies and meat stock. I make my own pasta sauce. I atea little ragu the other day on my tortellini's. Holy cr@p, I had no idea how much sodium they stick in there. Are they nuts?

holmesd450

I eat 5/35/60 carbs/protein/fat, but my diet is different then yours :P

4cookiesmom

I am a carb junkie. I could never limit my carbs and feel satisfied. I just focus on eating whole grain (not white) pastas, breads and snacks for the majority of the time and treat myself to the not so clean carbs on occasion. I also try to have a protein with each meal and snack. Helps keep me fuller than just carbs alone.