Clean eating.

Amanda82691

Ok everyone know I'm sure a lot of you are familar with clean eating and i'm sure a lot of you follow clean eating. (I posted a link to an article of what clean eating is and is what I belive clean eating is) Now I run into the issue that I don't always have the time or funds to eat as clean as I would like too. First off I'd like to get your opinions on clean eating and how strict or not strict you are on clean eating? And second I would like to know what suggestions and tips you have to help stict to clean eating (other then "you gotta make time") because I know making time to food prep would be great but I honestly don't have the time I work 40 hours a week and am a full time student. I do the bet I can.

http://www.answerfitness.com/204/clean-eating-eating-clean-answer-fitness/

DontStopB_Leakin

I wash my fruits and veggies......sometimes.

Fat2Fit145

I had great success with clean eating, i was pretty strict, only ate vegies and protein like chicken n fish....for about 6 weeks....lost about 15lbs.... i plan to start back soon....not sure how to sya to stick with it, but i what helped me was that i felt healthy and the weight ws coming off... so i made the time to take that extra half hr -1hr to prepare my meals... i also work 40hrs a week and a full time student....you can do it

Acg67

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

Amanda82691

I wash my fruits and veggies......sometimes.

ok?

junipearl

I started eating cleaner about a month ago - still definitely not 100% of the way there, but I make time for it and try to keep it simple and it works.

I keep a photoblog of some of the stuff we prepare for meals and snacks here if you are interested: symphonyofeats.tumblr.com

again, definitely not all the way there yet but it gets easier as you get into it more so I have been getting better and better.
also, since eating clean involves eating food in its raw, unprocessed form, it often does not actually take much prep - grabbing a banana and some almonds doesn't take too much prep lol.

Chief_Rocka

http://www.answerfitness.com/204/clean-eating-eating-clean-answer-fitness/

My favorite part of that article was when they gave on example of a "clean" daily menu that contained 2 servings of veggies and 1 serving of fruit.

deb3129

I stick to clean eating as much as possible. I am not perfect, but I do my best. I also work full time and have 4 kids involved in various activities, so I understand the time factor. For me I just do my best to plan ahead. i try to make sure I always have good stuff in my house to make, and a ton of fresh fruits and veggies. I usually try on Sundays to prepare several meals for the coming week, so that they will be ready. I make several salads in individual bowls to take to work, etc. This really helps me out.

Juliechilli

I'm a single mom of two boys who play hockey (need I say more?) haha. I work 4 days week also. As the previous poster does, I also will take a weekend day and cook a bunch of chicken and fish. Then I will either make a bunch of quinoa or brown rice or taboule, separate it all into individual measured out tupperware and am good to go for a quick meal. Same with veggies and salad. Sometimes I will stirfry veggies and add chicken to it. I try to stay away from pasta and bread and sugar. If you have a local market, they tend to be cheaper for meats, fish and veggies that supermarkets. It definately takes some preparing but it is worth it!

n0ob

eating fruits and veggies, whole grains, legumes, lean meats, nuts and seeds, and dairy is great.

REQUIRING they come from free range or non caged animals only and ONLY organic produce takes it over the top overboard, particularly on how much your body really cares.

If it makes you feel better to eat only "clean" produce and organic meats go ahead, but it's not for overall health reasons at that point.

lyndabyh

I try to stick to clean eating. Definitely better about it for myself then for the hubby and three teens. I also work full time and the boys all play sports etc so our house is crazy. I keep lots of fresh fruit and veggies on hand as well as frozen for emergencies. I tend to eat lots of salads, fruits veggies, nuts , beans, the combos are endless and soooo fast to make. When I do get a chance to cook I double everything ( so instead of 5 chicken breasts I'll cook 10 or 12, it doesn't take any more time or I cook in two batches , put the rest in while we're eating) then freeze for later or turn left overs into something else for next day. For example I'll use a baked chicken breast from the night before and make a quick veg stir fry and add the chicken to it over whole wheat noodles or use left over roast beef to make philly cheese steak . You get the picture. Anyways I can't always eat clean but I try to do so as much as possible.

geekyjock76

Stick with a way of eating you can sustain. It's fine if you want to prioritize certain foods based on nutritional value, but don't become a zealot about it.

My primary goal is to get the amount of total energy I need in the form of calories - which right now is about 3200-3300 calories. My secondary goal is to hit my macros in terms of protein and fats. After that, it's my micronutrient goals. By the time I eat 80% of my total calories, I am on track to meet my macro goals and have surpassed the micronutrient goals. Thus, I fill the remaining 20% with whatever I want to eat - ice cream, cookies, cheesecake, etc.

The point is: don't say no to snacks if you need more calories and have already met your macronutrient and micronutrient goals.

Sarauk2sf

I eat a little grubby with some downright filth thrown in every now and again - works well for me.

This article makes no sense - extract:

The basics of Clean Eating are simple:

"Eat a wide-variety of whole, unrefined and unprocessed foods in a form that’s as close as possible to how the foods appear in nature
Avoid processed sugars, especially sugary beverages like soda
Avoid saturated fat and trans fats, and instead substitute healthy, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats
Always combine complex carbohydrates with lean protein and some healthy fats at every meal
Spread your food out over 5-6 smaller meals, consumed every 2-3 hours
Eat for maximum nutrient density. In other words, avoid “empty” calories found in fast food, soda, snacks, cakes and cookies, and substitute in nutrient-dense snacks.
Pay attention to proper portions and practice portion control
Drink lots of water (at least 8 cups a day.)"

- Why is calorie and macro timing relevant to eating 'clean' - why is it even relevant at all more to the point.
- How are cookie calories 'empty' - they provide energy and may also contain some beneficial micronutrients
- What does portion control and water have to do with 'clean' eating.

I am not saying that the statement "Eat a wide-variety of whole, unrefined and unprocessed foods" is not good advice, just that the article is mixing a bunch of things up and calling it 'clean eating'

lisamarie2181

Hey Amanda!! I eat as clean as I possibly can, I like to just more say eat whole foods as much as possible. My definition of clean is eating foods as close to their nature state. I know people will argue canned/frozen is processed, but it is not the same IMO as say a boxed product. It is still in it's whole form and it doesn't have stuff added to it. I try and use as much fresh as possible, but a lot of times if I will used canned tomatoes for recipes and I really like canned green beans for some reason lol I am not super strict about it but I do my best to make the best choices I can. It is a bit harder because I eat low carb, and most LC bread products are processed, so that is as far as I try and go. Unless I am just having an off day and eat bad, this is my normal diet, which you can probably tell from my food diary

I do support the organic, and wish I could do it all the time, but because money is tight I do the best I can. I try and focus on the meats more with trying to buy either organic or grass fed meats, and working on the dairy too. Veggies I do wash and do use the veggie wash, but not really sure how effective it is lol

In terms of adding dishes, do you have a crockpot? It is a Godsend and you can leave it cooking all day and it will be ready when you get home!! I set aside usually my Sundays to prepare some meals for the week so I always have stuff on hand and have the convenience so it doesn't seem like such a chore. The prep time is a bit extensive with having to cut all the veggies and such going in, but I think it worth it and I find that taking a day you can set some time to whip up a bunch of stuff is super beneficial!

I am sure you will get people saying it isn't important, but I really think it is, at least for me it is. We have to deal with so much crap going in our bodies just from daily existence, I like being able to control that not happening with the food I choose to eat. Not even that, when I ate in moderation back in the day and ate convenient food, I felt like crap Ever since I switched to eating this way, I feel soo much better, you can't really describe it to people because unless they have tried it they wouldn't understand. And when you stop eating that other stuff, you don't want it anymore! At least I don't, and if I do eat something crappier that I normally wouldn't, I usually feel like crap after and it's just not worth it.

Maybe I find this is easy also because I like cooking and I do have the time to dedicate to doing it. But if you can use the crock, or make casseroles or grill up a bunch of stuff in advance, it definitely makes things easier If you want any ideas, take a look at my food diary and see if anything catches your eye, I can send you a recipe :0)

ETA - Not saying you can't have any treats either, but there are definitely better alternatives to some treats then others. If you find an ice cream with 3 ingredients (milk, sugar, cream for example) and then one with about 30, I would choose the first one. I don't think eating clean means depriving yourself of treats and things you may want, but there are definitely alternatives that are cleaner if you would like

gailmelanie

I may have a different definition of clean eating than you or other people, but I try to eat whole foods that are minimally processed, if at all. Examples: fresh fruit and vegetables of all kinds, vegetables cooked sometimes, milk, cheese and yogurt, eggs, fresh, unprocessed meats, whole grains like oatmeal, wild and brown rice, sometimes root vegetables baked or steamed with nothing added except a little butter, sometimes. I rarely eat chips and I usually don't eat cookies, but I admit I like oatmeal rasin ones, especially the homemade ones. I don't eat much bread, and when I do it's whole grain bread. I don't eat much pasta or anything sweetened except for chocolate in small amounts. My husband is more into processed, packaged foods for the convenience than the taste, especially for our daughter, which is dismaying, but for myself I try to eat simple, if not clean.

lisamarie2181

I may have a different definition of clean eating than you or other people, but I try to eat whole foods that are minimally processed, if at all. Examples: fresh fruit and vegetables of all kinds, vegetables cooked sometimes, milk, cheese and yogurt, eggs, fresh, unprocessed meats, whole grains like oatmeal, wild and brown rice, sometimes root vegetables baked or steamed with nothing added except a little butter, sometimes. I rarely eat chips and I usually don't eat cookies, but I admit I like oatmeal rasin ones, especially the homemade ones. I don't eat much bread, and when I do it's whole grain bread. I don't eat much pasta or anything sweetened except for chocolate in small amounts. My husband is more into processed, packaged foods for the convenience than the taste, especially for our daughter, which is dismaying, but for myself I try to eat simple, if not clean.

Great way of putting it, simple but clean. I agree! I would just rather eat a plate with fresh foods over a bag of chips or something of that nature. I enjoy it more. But since I kicked a lot of those bad foods years ago, it doesn't bother me not to eat them. I don't eat treats daily because I don't want them, not because I am depriving myself in anyway.

petstorekitty

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

all of that food looks delicious...

That being said, thie Clean Eating things just shounds like a basic "try not to eat loads of terrible crap" eating style.

I know I feel better when I eat simple basic non-crap foods. I also save money. I also get bored after a while and eat tons of crap.

justmyalias

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

tx for the article - i think i mistakenly assumed that clean eating was whole food, organic, unprocessed type foods, no additives/ preservatives... interesting to read all of the different interpretations...

danielledimedio1985

bump. love this thread

enewsome2

I wash my fruits and veggies......sometimes.

Lol. I usually just wipe mine off with a damp paper towel. :P

All joking aside: I don't eat "clean" per se, but I'm a pescatarian and try to eat as "unprocessed" as possible. I try to avoid things with artificial additives and trans fats as much as I can.

I just feel more satisfied when I eat things that are actually "food" and not genetically modified food-like substances.

justmyalias

I wash my fruits and veggies......sometimes.

^^ this is me too
probably not-so-clean ; )
(and I used to eat raw hamburger meat too - yikes!)

i do try to avoid any artificial sweeteners at all costs
but you have to be diligent in checking ALL labels
and this is not a 'clean' issue, but due to migraines

WickedGarden

For me, clean eating means 'as little processed foods as possible'

that does NOT mean I don't indulge in a cupcake every once in a while. (though said cupcakes are made from all natural and locally sourced ingredients)

I started out small, I quit drinking soda, cut out ALL foods that contain HFCs, cut out dressing and mayo (never liked mayo anyway), stopped buying pre-packaged meals in a box, then I decided to learn how to make basic things like red pasta sauce (VERY easy!-you can message me if you want the recipe), I make enough for that night's meal and have enough left over for another meal and put that in the freezer. I started eating more organic veggies, then I started trying organic meats, WOW organic beef tastes like I used to remember! So does chicken, organic meat is definitely worth the cost!

As others have said, crock-pot meals are so easy! I regularly do a 'salsa chicken' meal. Get a crock-pot, put 1 pound of frozen chicken (or beef or pork), add in 1-16oz jar of your favorite salsa, set crock-pot to low and go off to work. 8-10 hours later, stir up the pot, and the meat will fall apart to a 'shredded' form (if there is still a lot of liquid left, turn the crock-pot to high, and take the lid off, the liquid will evaporate in 10-15 minutes). Delicious when you add with some romaine and wrap it up in a tortillia, or put it on rice, or quinoa. I freeze the leftovers for a meal later.

I agree with bellamarie, I don't consider canned veggies to be processed. They don't add a whole lot of additives, chemicals or preservatives to those foods. Just read the label, and you should be good!

(yes, I still go out to a restaurant to eat once a week, I figure, I'm eating really well the rest of the week so why not? I just don't go overboard)