Eating Clean... What does this mean?

LioshaM
LioshaM Posts: 129 Member
Lately, I been reading a lot on the boards and seeing references to eating clean. What would say is the translation of eating clean? Is that just veggies, fruits, no fried foods etc.
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Replies

  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    Eating "clean" doesn't necessarily mean eating low-calorie... "Clean" food is unprocessed (or very minimally processed), all natural ingredients, no lab-created substances.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    Everyone has a different interpretation. For me, it means eating what nature provides: fish, meat, nuts, eggs, vegetables and fruits - with as little packaging and processing as possible.
  • If it was made in a factory then it isn't "clean". Clean typically means unprocessed.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    If it was made in a factory then it isn't "clean". Clean typically means unprocessed.

    Good luck finding unprocessed foods to eat

    and

    http://www.wannabebig.com/diet-and-nutrition/the-dirt-on-clean-eating/
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member

    Before you get all up in arms in yet another thread today, the OP was just asking for the definition.
  • AlyRoseNYC
    AlyRoseNYC Posts: 1,075 Member
    When someone says that they eat clean, it usually means that they eat minimally processed foods. Typically, they eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies and meats. The processed foods they do eat are usually things like yogurt, milk, and cheese.
  • RonSwanson66
    RonSwanson66 Posts: 1,150 Member

    Before you get all up in arms in yet another thread today, the OP was just asking for the definition.

    The "definition" varies from person to person - rendering the term meaningless.
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member

    Before you get all up in arms in yet another thread today, the OP was just asking for the definition.

    And he was just providing information relevant to the subject.
  • Glucocorticoid
    Glucocorticoid Posts: 867 Member
    It means absolutely nothing, don't worry about it.
  • 40goneby40
    40goneby40 Posts: 36 Member
    I mentioned it in a post recently...and am making every effort to eat clean. What it means to me? Nothing that comes in a package.

    Nothing made by a big manufacturer, no artificial sweeteners, no artificial colors or preservatives. I eat local whenever possible, including local meat and eggs.

    The only exception for me is grains...I eat brown rice and quinoa. I do not eat dairy.

    All of this has been thrown out the window this week since I am on a business trip and all of my meals are catered, but when I can control my meals, I try to adhere to those principles.

    Who knows if it makes a difference, but I feel better, fuller, and I feel like I am doing something good for the environment at the same time! :smile:
  • skybird455
    skybird455 Posts: 172 Member
    think one ingredient foods, chicken, eggs, steak, fish, veggies, fruit, sprouted bread, quinoe couscous.....no flour, no sugar usually and mostly organic.
  • Meaganandcheese
    Meaganandcheese Posts: 525 Member
    For most people it means an emphasis on more natural whole foods as opposed to those filled with artifical and chemical ingredients. People take it to varying degrees. For me it means reading a lot of food labels and trying to cut back on the blue box mac and cheese. Some days are more successful than others.
  • Bakerchk
    Bakerchk Posts: 424 Member
    The term does "vary". However, most would agree this means unprocessed. However, it is very difficult to find everything completely unprocessed. I think you're best bet for eating "clean" would be to buy as many things as possible locally. Luckily, here in California I can buy meat, veggies and fruits locally very easily. But not all people have this option. It's difficult to do. I try to follow this as much as possible. Meaning I don't eat anything frozen (even veggies because they are flash frozen) and I try to avoid things in a box. However, I buy meat thats been stored a shipped (I'm sure there are preservative and what not in them).
  • ARDuBaie
    ARDuBaie Posts: 378 Member
    I eat mostly clean. Clean is meat (non-factory meat), eggs (free range), milk and milk products (hormone free and free range), veggies (organic), and fruit (organic). I don't do packaged foods for the most part, but some things must have a package. Yogurt and milk just would be too messy without the package. :)

    Basically, shopping is now easier - I only dive into the aisles to retrieve teabags.

    Cooking is more work - but I enjoy it. I do old-time, 1940 cooking, ala my mom's old cookbook.

    I am gluten-free and headache, rash, and pain free because of it.

    I don't substitute for flour by using rice flour, almond flour, etc. unless a special occassion.

    I do have candy from time to time - my weakness. This is about the only thing that I eat that is factory processed. That and A-1 steak sauce. Must have for my steaks.

    This is just what I do. Others may see it in a different way. Clean-eating means different things to different people. This is my clean-eating.
  • waldo56
    waldo56 Posts: 1,861 Member
    Eating "clean" doesn't necessarily mean eating low-calorie... "Clean" food is unprocessed (or very minimally processed), all natural ingredients, no lab-created substances.

    It is not cheap to make substances in labs.....

    The idea that there are lab created substances in food is pretty much a gross overstatement. Pretty much all lab cookin requires natural ingreadients (through the supply chain, all actual inputs are natural ingredients); labs in the food world are called "kitchens".
  • angiemartin78
    angiemartin78 Posts: 475 Member
    Everyone has a different interpretation. For me, it means eating what nature provides: fish, meat, nuts, eggs, vegetables and fruits - with as little packaging and processing as possible.

    ^^^^ I agree with this.
  • ChaseAlder
    ChaseAlder Posts: 804 Member
    We try to eat as clean as we can.... lots of lean meats and fresh vegetables/fruits, stuff like that. However, we can't always follow all the rules... I still used white beans from the can and grocery store milk/cheese/etc.

    Regardless, we have cut out most processed foods (except things like whole grain pasta that comes in a box, coffee creamer, sparkling beverages, etc.) and the fat is just melting off our bodies. We try to make most of our meals from recipes we get off of clean-eating websites and we have ended a few of our bad habits (bread as a side dish, white pasta, dessert)... we both feel amazing! We have also started replacing certain staples we use a lot, like pasta sauce. Instead of buying it in a jar, I make it out of fresh roma tomatoes! SOOO yummy and much healthier!

    IMO, you don't need to be completely strict with yourself about it, just replace things here and there, try some new recipes and new ingredients, and enjoy feeling a little better! I hate diets, but THIS I can do =)
  • WhittRak
    WhittRak Posts: 567 Member
    If it was made in a factory then it isn't "clean". Clean typically means unprocessed.

    Good luck finding unprocessed foods to eat

    and

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

    It's not that hard.
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    The "definition" varies from person to person - rendering the term meaningless.

    Really, do you see a lot of variety in the responses so far?
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    Eating "clean" doesn't necessarily mean eating low-calorie... "Clean" food is unprocessed (or very minimally processed), all natural ingredients, no lab-created substances.

    It is not cheap to make substances in labs.....

    The idea that there are lab created substances in food is pretty much a gross overstatement. Pretty much all lab cookin requires natural ingreadients (through the supply chain, all actual inputs are natural ingredients); labs in the food world are called "kitchens".

    ^This. Thank you!
  • RonSwanson66
    RonSwanson66 Posts: 1,150 Member
    The "definition" varies from person to person - rendering the term meaningless.

    Really, do you see a lot of variety in the responses so far?


    If you haven't, then you haven't been paying attention.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    The idea that there are lab created substances in food is pretty much a gross overstatement. Pretty much all lab cookin requires natural ingreadients (through the supply chain, all actual inputs are natural ingredients); labs in the food world are called "kitchens".

    So IFF, Symrise, Givaudan, Firmenich and all the others are 'kitchens' now eh?
    Novel redefinition of the 'lab' if ever I heard one.
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    If you haven't, then you haven't been paying attention.

    Instead of insulting my ability to follow a short thread, perhaps you could point out the differences in what people in this thread think "eating clean" is
  • RonSwanson66
    RonSwanson66 Posts: 1,150 Member
    If you haven't, then you haven't been paying attention.

    Instead of insulting my ability to follow a short thread, perhaps you could point out the differences in what people in this thread think "eating clean" is

    May or may nor require "Organic"

    May or may not require "Free Range"

    No clear definition of "processed" (All food is processed to some extent)

    May or may not be frozen

    Some consider grains "unclean" , others consider them OK if they're "sprouted"

    Flour? No Flour?

    etc.
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member

    May or may nor require "Organic"

    May or may not require "Free Range"

    No clear definition of "processed" (All food is processed to some extent)

    May or may not be frozen

    Some consider grains "unclean" , others consider them OK if they're "sprouted"

    Flour? No Flour?

    etc.

    There are different degrees to which it is POSSIBLE to "eat clean" in the year 2012. That doesn't change the very definition of the term.
  • RonSwanson66
    RonSwanson66 Posts: 1,150 Member

    May or may nor require "Organic"

    May or may not require "Free Range"

    No clear definition of "processed" (All food is processed to some extent)

    May or may not be frozen

    Some consider grains "unclean" , others consider them OK if they're "sprouted"

    Flour? No Flour?

    etc.

    There are different degrees to which it is POSSIBLE to "eat clean" in the year 2012. That doesn't change the very definition of the term.

    Your definition.

    There is no common agreement. That's why it's meaningless.
  • Dauntlessness
    Dauntlessness Posts: 1,489 Member
    Its washing your food off before you eat it. Be careful of baked goods, they might get too soggy. :laugh:
  • Salvi30
    Salvi30 Posts: 196 Member
    HERE IS HOW YOU EAT CLEAN

    Instructions
    1


    Eat six small meals a day: breakfast, lunch, dinner and three snacks. Try to eat every few hours to curb hunger and promote a higher metabolism.

    2


    Choose whole grains and complex carbohydrates to give you more energy and keep you feeling fuller longer. Remember that whole wheat is not necessarily whole grain. Look for breads, rice and pasta that are not just brown, but also made with 100% whole grains. One serving is about the size of your closed fist.





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    3


    Leave calorie-filled, non-nutritional "junk food" at the grocery store. If you buy fresh foods, you will eat fresh foods.

    4


    Eat as many fruits and vegetables as you want. Try to add one serving, about a handful, of each per meal. Fruits also make great snacks because they are full of natural sugar and can help fight those afternoon sugar cravings.

    5


    Eat lean meats, chicken and fish whenever possible, staying away from processed and fatty meats. This will give you much needed protein with little fat. One serving is about the size of you palm.

    6


    Read labels. Look at calorie counts but also look at nutritional value and ingredients. Try to avoid foods with white flour, sugar and sugar substitutes, saturated fats and trans-fats.

    7


    Take small bags of unsalted almonds, cashews and walnuts with you to work so you don't get tempted by vending machines and breakroom junk food.

    8


    Check internet sites, libraries and bookstores for recipes to keep your new lifestyle fresh and flavorful.

    9


    Give yourself a "cheat day" but remember not to go overboard. Allow yourself a meal out with friends or a special food, but try not to undo all your hard work from the rest of the week. Enjoy being healthy!




    Read more: How to Eat Clean | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2049770_eat-clean.html#ixzz1wwv54Qa3
  • Elliemage
    Elliemage Posts: 25
    Personally, eating "clean" to me means generally eating whole, minimally/un-processed foods. I'm vegan, so meat, cheese and eggs are out. I eat fruits, veggies, nuts and legumes mostly. I do eat the occasional pasta, rice, or pitas/flatbread, but that's generally far less frequently than fruits or veggies. If possible I try to buy locally or organically, but as I'm a student and short on cash, this isn't always possible.
  • strongnotskinny121
    strongnotskinny121 Posts: 329 Member
    If it was made in a factory then it isn't "clean". Clean typically means unprocessed.

    Good luck finding unprocessed foods to eat

    and

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


    Clean eating is eating whole, natural foods. Fruits, veggies, lean meats, nuts. My rule of thumb is if it has more than 5 ingredients, put it back.