Newbie--What is Clean Eating?

TaylorFriend

Hello all!

I am new here to FitnessPal, and kinda new to clean eating, too! Everyone recommends clean eating, and I know so many that live this LIFESTYLE. However, I don't know what exactly it means??

I say I'm kinda new to clean eating because I was on a very strict diet off for a few years. I did for 2 months on/4 months off, sort of like that for 2 years. I would go without Gluten, Wheat, Dairy, Soy, and Oats. I even did it more extreme at one point completely due to the fact that doctor's were trying to figure out what I had allergies/intolerances/sensitivities to. It was pretty much the "Elimination Diet." Some people do it for overgrowth of yeast in the intestines and for Leaky Gut Syndrome, as well.

I am now not really trying to complete that, but just get rid of all my nasty eating habits!
Any tips??

kimgascoigne

I'm new to fitness pal and clean eating as well. A nice explanation of clean eating would be great

ViciousPrincess0707

This is what I understand it to be: Clean eating is eating things as close as possible as nature intended them to be. Go to your pantry or fridge and look at the ingredients in something you eat. If it contains something you wouldn't use to cook with (i.e. High fructose corn syrup or malodextrin) then it isn't considered clean.
Now everyone has slightly different philosophies regarding certain things, such as canned food or meats. There are a lot of people who will say that all canned foods are out (even if the ingredients are considered clean) because of the BPA, and there are also a lot of people who will say only organic grass fed cage free meat is considered clean. And while I totally agree that eliminating those are much better for you.... I also am just graduating college and my fiance and I live off of one paycheck. So obviously I can't afford that. One website that I found extremely helpful is http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/ They have so many resources for someone just starting out. Hope this helps!!

DJilleen

I compare it to whole foods. I like to previous definition as well. We buy fresh veggies and fruits and then poultry and fish. Whole grains, occasionally. I've lost 28 pounds in 3 months. Its working and I've never felt better.

dzuli823

I agree with both of the above posts. There will be no one answer for you. It is individual to everyone. I've heard things like, "If it comes from a plant, eat it. If it was Made in a Plant , Don't!" Sure, in a perfect world, I'd say it's foods without labels...whole foods, or one ingredient foods. I definitely do not eat like that always. Some even believe olive oil to not be clean bc it is processed...as opposed to the olive. I still think olive oil is healthy and use it. Some feel cottage cheese is even not a clean choice! I also think a glass of red wine is healthy, though certainly processed from the grape. I, personally, believe I eat clean by having food that is all natural. For instance, I think oatmeal is the "cleaner" choice over cereal (bc oatmeal is one ingred), but I still consider my all natural cereal to be clean. You have to decide what makes sense for you. It is not a black and white thing, in my opinion, and thinking about it that way I think can set you up for failure. While I try not to eat processed foods in general, I have had pretzels that are all natural and not a ton of ingredients, and I don't worry about it. I'd even go as far as saying that I eat all natural about 99% of the time, because that is important to me. While I eat as many whole foods as I can, when I eat processed food, it is whole wheat and all natural (no hfcs or artificial anything). I think you really have to define it for yourself. Hope that helps!

jvansyckel

ViciousPrince --> That was a great definition of Clean Eating. When I got interested in "clean eating" I read the book "Clean Eating for Dummies" it was very good. But actually scared the hell out of me know what is in our foods LOL!!!

What I got out of that book was there are different levels of clean eating. But basically you want to do you best to remove all preservatives and additives in your food. Fresh fruits and veggies, 100% Whole grain Rice and Pasta. Healthy Lean meats and fish. Read the labels of what you buy, the shorter the list, the better it is. If you can't pronounce it, it probably isn't good for you.

I was already eating pretty well, with whole grains, but some of the things I changed in my diet was I replaced "Carb Countdown" Milk with Almond Breeze unsweetened almond milk, only 40 calories and tastes way yummy! Removed all Splenda from my diet and only use Stevia in the raw for my coffee, Use Coconut oil instead of "I can't believe it's all chemicals" Cut out processed breads and eat more leafy greens and protein for lunch.

I have to say I really enjoy the changes I've made. I feel satisfied and don't have as many "cravings"

jvansyckel

SilverDollarQ ---> That was a great summary for clean eating as well

libertygirlfla

I agree with SDQ; eating clean is a great term because it is specific to the follower. Labeling oneself as vegan or vegetarian can definitely garner criticism if anyone "catches" you straying, but if you just say you try to eat as cleanly as possible, it leaves a lot of room for interpretation.

Not that I let other people's criticisms dictate my eating style, but it seems to be easier to explain and comes across as less "extreme" to those who don't necessarily follow or even understand a more healthy menu. In fact, it often opens a dialogue similar to this one. I usually enjoy the opportunity to help those who don't understand the effects of chemicals, sugar, hormones, etc. Most people don't even know how bad they feel until they start weaning the junk out of their diets and actually have energy again.

Every little change is good. It has taken 30 years for me to get to where I am now and I will still eat a piece of chemical-laden chocolate birthday cake now and then. I only gave up diet soda a year or so ago and quit using Splenda about 6 month ago. :blushing:

jvansyckel

libertygirlfl ---> So true that you don't know how good clean eating is until you try it. And then for me, when you then eat something you once ate and go.. Eewww. I have only been at this since the 1st of the year, but that moment came to me when I put "I can't believe it's butter" spray on some popcorn and it tasted "funny" and left my stomach feeling gross

I'm not 100% clean or organic, but I try to make the best choices I can. There a few things I won't give up like Fat Free 1/2 for my coffee, A1 sauce and 75% FF Cabot Cheese for my turkey burger. But I have stopped using splenda, or drinking flavored water with spenda in it. I now drink coconut water instead of low calorie juice drinks.

libertygirlfla

My new, favorite drink "treat" is to dissolve a tablespoon of honey and a dash of cinnamon into a cup of hot water. It can be consumed as a hot tea that way, or, as I like to do, put in the refrigerator before the gym and when I get home it's nice and cold. I pour it over ice and sip. The honey helps with allergies and the cinnamon reduces inflammation...plus it's delicious!

24Aims

Im also new to MFP and my husband I are keen to start living a " clean " lifestyle .. the above explainations have been awesome I have been on the computer all day researching clean eating and my head is very full of info just need to start implementing .It's a little overwhelming !!
would love to share ideas and tips with others embracing and learning about this way of eating
Amie

THExNEKOxCHAN

Your body has a set of requirements. It needs water, the proper amount of electrolytes, vitamins and minerals, and a level of nutrient that allows it to break down, rebuild, and repair itself. Getting this balance right means being very aware of your body.

It is very important that you eat the right amount of food for your body to maintain itself.

I don't believe in getting my needed nutrients from pills, so this may seem like a radical idea to some: try getting your nutrition from your food. And not just any food either; you want to look for the best stuff, because this is your body you're caring for, and who wouldn't want the best for their body?

Eat more vegetables and fruit. Look for organic brands, or shop from farmers markets. The fresher the better. If you have the time, try growing your own. The quality of home grown vegetables is very noticeable, in flavor and nutrient content.

Buy grass-fed/pasture raised meats, wild caught fish, and free range chicken/eggs. Do not be afraid to eat the fat, and don't leave out the egg yolks: they have the most basic nutrients your body needs. Avoid farmed fish, for they are fed many antibiotics and colorants. Avoid barn-laid, cage-free, and cage eggs, and do not eat grain fed meat or factory raised meat. If feasible, try to locate a farmer or a co-op that can provide you these things.

Buy grass-fed butter, whole, UN-homogenized milk (or raw if you can get it), use clean animal fats (pork lard, duck fat, beef or lamb tallow) or cold-pressed coconut oil for cooking, and extra virgin olive oil for cold dishes. Do not use hydrogenated oils, margarine, blended butters, vegetable oil, or anything with trans fats. Do not use milk powders, or drink ultra-pasteurized or UHT milks (they are over cooked, with damaged proteins and fats, and are from much lower quality milk overall). Do not drink skim milk: there is hardly anything useful left in it for you, and they use titanium dioxide to make it white (without the pigment, the skim milk would be bluish in color).

Enjoy nuts, seeds, avocados, naturally fermented foods (such as sauerkraut, beet kvass, kimchi, etc) to encourage good gut bacteria. Use home made yogurt and kefir. Use raw honey and pure maple syrup.

Try to avoid things with ingredients lists. Avoid refined sugar and flours, and anything that says "enriched", "fortified", "with _____ added", anything insisting it's "healthy", "low fat", "no fat", "low carb", "low sugar", "sugar-free", "lean" or "skinny". Avoid the majority of wheat, avoid soy at all costs, avoid corn (aside, perhaps, from a bit of fresh, organic sweet corn) and all of it's derivatives. (Cutting out processed foods, breads, etc will help knock a lot of these out of the game.) Avoid soda pop and most juices.

Remove all GMOs from your diet. They raise the risk of cancer and food allergies, are soaked with pesticides and herbicides, they destroy the environment, plant and animal life, and are run by morally corrupt companies who have their fingers in many pies.

Get plenty of sunshine. If you live in a place with a short winter day (as I do) you may use fermented cod liver oil to supplement yourself until summer rolls around. You need the Vitamin D. (If you want to know what your Vit D levels look like, they can run a blood test for it.)

Drink plenty of water. It's what allows your body to function at it's best. It helps with the transfer of nutrients, it keeps your blood flowing, and assist in the removal of toxins from your tissues. Don't drink too much on hot days, though, as that may dilute your electrolyte balance. If drinking a lot on hot days, have something with a little sea salt added, like broth, or look up a recipe for a natural electrolyte drink.

Listen to your body. Are you hungry? Feed it a meal, or a snack. Eat several small meals through the day and keep whole, healthy foods on hand. Cook more meals from scratch. Do you wake up feeling hungry in the middle of the night? You might be thirsty. Keep a glass of water by the bed. Do you feel tired or restless or unsettled during the day? Go for a walk/run to wake your body up and get its cells and fluids moving, and to help aid digestion and sleep. Get at least 6 or 7 hours of sleep at night. Find a hobby that you like doing. Please your mind with reading or craft projects, or gardening.

I like to call this common sense living. If you can do these things, you're well on your way to good health, both physical and mental.

Remember: You are beautiful and so is your body. It doesn't matter what others think. Your body is a finely tuned machine, and it knows exactly what it needs, so do your best to give it the best.

angies001

i usually use ground turkey but today purchased a turkey burger patty from a restaurant. I was wondering if it was considered clean since it was (im sure) processed. what kind of turkey burger do you use?

serenitymamma

Why is soy milk bad to drink? I usually drink 1 cup in my oatmeal every morning:(

I HATE cows milk. . .

antitek

Why is soy milk bad to drink? I usually drink 1 cup in my oatmeal every morning:(

I HATE cows milk. . .

Just make sure it is organic. GMO foods and food covered in pesticides cannot be sold as organic. I looked at some conflicting research regarding fermented and un-fermented soy, interestingly the article saying soy is harmful did not back up their statements with references to actual scientific research. They did, however, have a nice link to their book...

libertygirlfla

i usually use ground turkey but today purchased a turkey burger patty from a restaurant. I was wondering if it was considered clean since it was (im sure) processed. what kind of turkey burger do you use?

It probably has lots of added flavors, but there's no real way to know if it's all natural unless it specifically says so. I wouldn't necessarily consider it "clean", but it's still a healthier alternative to most restaurant food.

I use Greenwise (Publix store brand) which has no added hormones or antibiotics and is minimally processed. I use the ground turkey breast vs. turkey meat which seems to have a lot more fat and calories. Then I add my own spices (mostly organic). I don't usually use a bun, but I've had some pretty tasty whole grain buns.

Food can be processed and still be clean. It's more about keeping the food as close to it's original state as possible. Grinding meat doesn't change anything except the texture.