What exactly is considered "clean" food?

shivouel

I'm a bit confused by this term and what it entails. Can someone give me a bit of guidance here? Sorry if this seems like a silly question, it just seems everywhere I see it someone has a different definition!

kat5556

"Clean" (IMO) refers to foods that are not processed; vegetables, fruit, grains, nuts, etc. And meat, chicken & seafood that is without hormones, antibiotics, and salt & nitrate solutions. If it comes from a box or can, I don't consider it clean.

Hope this helps.

hope76579

Lol! That's because everyone does truly have a different definition! For some they choose less processed foods, for others they eat no processed foods, others consider it eating organic even if a bit processed. My personal rule of thumb is raw fruits and veggies and less processed foods. It really depends on what fits your nutritional needs and budget.

nsalerno90

I would agree with minimally processed foods and lots of whole foods. I eat some things from cans - beans (rinsed well before using), roasted peppers, artichokes, some prepared foods from places like Whole Foods and Trader Joes but typically eat foods that I have to prepare myself. I don't eat preservatives or artificial sweeteners (those are fairly universal I think). Aim for food that is as close to its natural form as you can and you will definitely feel a difference. Plus it all tastes so good. . .

Acg67

I'm a bit confused by this term and what it entails. Can someone give me a bit of guidance here? Sorry if this seems like a silly question, it just seems everywhere I see it someone has a different definition!

You hit the nail on the head, there is no set definition.

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

linz1125

I consider a food clean if it has less than 5 ingredients and I can go to a regualr grocery store and purchase them all to make the item. Also, one of those ingredients cannot be a form of sugar. I think that's the simplest definition of clean I have found.

I eat items that are whole grain (because once it is no longer whole grain it is increasingly more processed), and as close as they are found in nature as possible.

I have minimized the amount of red meat in my diet (I don't quite want to cut it out completely), but when I do eat any meat I do try to purchase grass-fed organic beef. It is not always possible though. I choose lean cuts like chicken instead most of the time.

jsj024519

Food that is washed. I don't believe in "clean food" personally. Processed or not, calories are calories. Just my two cents.

Twinkie diet helps nutrition professor lose 27 pounds

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html

njc1008

As long as it hasn't been dropped on the floor it's clean in my opinion... Especially while deployed.

Acg67

I consider a food clean if it has less than 5 ingredients and I can go to a regualr grocery store and purchase them all to make the item. Also, one of those ingredients cannot be a form of sugar. I think that's the simplest definition of clean I have found.

I eat items that are whole grain (because once it is no longer whole grain it is increasingly more processed), and as close as they are found in nature as possible.

I have minimized the amount of red meat in my diet (I don't quite want to cut it out completely), but when I do eat any meat I do try to purchase grass-fed organic beef. It is not always possible though. I choose lean cuts like chicken instead most of the time.

Not many foods fit your definition of clean...

Helloitsdan

I'm a bit confused by this term and what it entails. Can someone give me a bit of guidance here? Sorry if this seems like a silly question, it just seems everywhere I see it someone has a different definition!

You hit the nail on the head, there is no set definition.

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

Thanx ACG been looking for an article like this for some time.

loumaag

As long as it hasn't been dropped on the floor it's clean in my opinion... Especially while deployed.

I've been here. Sometimes the "5 second rule" has to come into play when out in the field too. 8^)

bcampbell54

Clean eating is the process in which one eats food which has been minimally handled, then brags about it and offers it as a panacea for the ills of mankind.
See also, sancti-fit, nutri-nazi

zsaoosh

Food that has been killed or grown. Food that humans havent touched alot. I dont believe in the "dont need boxed items" because you can get real food like rice and so forth from a box. BUT, there is no rule, yes you should eat more natural foods but do what works for you and makes you healthy.

RuthSweetTooth

THAT is an amazing article! And to think I have given my husband so much crap for starting his day with a Little Debbie!

I shall now unabashedly include an occasional nutty bar if I want to.

Ruth

Food that is washed. I don't believe in "clean food" personally. Processed or not, calories are calories. Just my two cents.

Twinkie diet helps nutrition professor lose 27 pounds

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html

ChristineS_51

When I think of "clean" I think minimal processing, as near to nature as possible.

Ash_76

i consider clean foods to be more about how you feel from them, if they make you slugish its bad, if you feel full of energy ready to take on anything then its clean, food is just an energy source and thats how i judge it

amanda_ataraxia

Everyone really does have a different definition. My way of looking at it is,"Would this be recognized as food 100 years ago?" All of those additives, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, etc. are off limits.

I don't eat anything from a box. Things from cans are not off limits to me- like beans (low or no sodium) or no salt vegetables. True, they are cooked but I don't think of clean eating as raw eating.

ccarre81

I consider a food clean if it has less than 5 ingredients and I can go to a regualr grocery store and purchase them all to make the item. Also, one of those ingredients cannot be a form of sugar. I think that's the simplest definition of clean I have found.

I eat items that are whole grain (because once it is no longer whole grain it is increasingly more processed), and as close as they are found in nature as possible.

I have minimized the amount of red meat in my diet (I don't quite want to cut it out completely), but when I do eat any meat I do try to purchase grass-fed organic beef. It is not always possible though. I choose lean cuts like chicken instead most of the time.

Not many foods fit your definition of clean...

Ha! You always have the perfect answer.

Loulady

I consider a food clean if it has less than 5 ingredients and I can go to a regualr grocery store and purchase them all to make the item. Also, one of those ingredients cannot be a form of sugar. I think that's the simplest definition of clean I have found.

I eat items that are whole grain (because once it is no longer whole grain it is increasingly more processed), and as close as they are found in nature as possible.

I have minimized the amount of red meat in my diet (I don't quite want to cut it out completely), but when I do eat any meat I do try to purchase grass-fed organic beef. It is not always possible though. I choose lean cuts like chicken instead most of the time.

Not many foods fit your definition of clean...

Tons of foods do - meats, veggies, fruits, egg, dairy, nuts, juice, pasta, fresh bread, good ice cream, oatmeal, rice..

needamulligan

When I eat "clean" I don't feel cravings or the compulsion to binge. To me, clean food is closest to it's natural (cooked) state and minimally processed with little added fat, sugar or sodium.

Acg67

I consider a food clean if it has less than 5 ingredients and I can go to a regualr grocery store and purchase them all to make the item. Also, one of those ingredients cannot be a form of sugar. I think that's the simplest definition of clean I have found.

I eat items that are whole grain (because once it is no longer whole grain it is increasingly more processed), and as close as they are found in nature as possible.

I have minimized the amount of red meat in my diet (I don't quite want to cut it out completely), but when I do eat any meat I do try to purchase grass-fed organic beef. It is not always possible though. I choose lean cuts like chicken instead most of the time.

Not many foods fit your definition of clean...

Tons of foods do - meats, veggies, fruits, egg, dairy, nuts, juice, pasta, fresh bread, good ice cream, oatmeal, rice..

Try again, and pay attention to those part

Also, one of those ingredients cannot be a form of sugar

That knocks out veggies, fruits, eggs, dairy, nuts, pasta, bread, ice cream, oatmeal and rice from your list