Just an opinion: Clean-eating vs IIFYM

UsedToBeHusky

First off, I practice IIFYM. That doesn't mean that I don't ever eat clean foods. I try to moderately balance my diet between foods that are good for me with foods that I love (most of the food I eat falls somewhere between the two). Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that people generally eat "clean" because they expect that it will somehow prolong their lives. But yet, we hear all the time about how people eat foods like fried chicken and ice cream everyday, drink and smoke heavily, never exercise and they live to be 80, 90, or 100+ years old. You ever wonder why that is?

Well this is my opinion:

Deprivation is an interesting beast. I don't know if any studies have been done, but they should be. There is a physiological reaction when the body is deprived, particularly of certain nutrients. Physical stress levels are elevated, and the body releases cortisol in response to cope. Now what if you aren't physically stressed, but rather, mentally stressed because you are avoiding the foods that you want. The body doesn't really know what is causing the stress, it just simply reacts to it.

So, what I'm getting at is this, if eating clean makes you happy, then, yes, it is probably pretty likely that it will prolong your life. But, if you are depriving yourself of the foods that you love just because you think it will prolong your life, then you are probably doing yourself a major disservice.

*AGAIN - This is only an opinion piece based on my own knowledge, experiences, and understanding. It is completely observational. The thought came to me a bit ago, and I was curious what people thought of this idea. If anyone knows of any studies relevant to the topic, by all means, please post them.

UsedToBeHusky

I guess, essentially what I'm saying is that happier people live longer so do what makes you happy.

iAMsmiling

Oh good, another chance to piss a friend off about clean eating.... :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:


Quote from Layne Norton

"I find the whole idea of ‘clean eating’ pretentious. What exactly defines a food as ‘clean’? Do you spray windex on it? Rub soap on it? I find it a bit preposterous. I’ve been in debates with people promoting ‘clean eating’ but when I ask for a specific scientific definition of what makes a food ‘clean’ they are silent. I think the restrictive diets where you can only eat a half dozen or so foods are not only unhealthy because they don’t give you a diverse intake of nutrients but I believe they promote eating disorders and binging. I see people who ‘eat clean’ during most of the week and then binge on cheesecake, ice cream, and donuts because it’s a ‘cheat’ meal. Oh yea… that is way healthier than eating ‘unclean’ foods in moderation to a hit a specific macronutrient target. *rolleyes* Now that said, I do believe that many IIFYMers (I find it funny that something myself and others been promoting for years gets an acronym attached to it and is now this ‘new’ way of eating LOL) actually go too far in one direction. Most people who origionally promoted targeting macronutrient intakes instead of obsessing about food choices actually eat ‘clean’ foods 95% of the time, we just don’t agonize over having a homemade burrito with a low carb wrap or some reduced calorie ice cream. We see the value of a controlled intake in order to prevent uncontrolled binging. But I do see IIFYM followers who eat as much sugary, high fat foods as they can and wear it like a badge of honor. That is not the point. If you are following a macronutrient intake that is friendly for body composition you will be eating a lot of ‘clean’ foods by default because you will not be able to hit a protein, carb, fat, and fiber intake conducive to body composition improvement if all you eat are high sugar/fat foods. The point is it’s ok to have these foods in small amounts if you are still hitting your goal macronutrient intake."

http://www.shreddedknowledge.com/home/a-talk-with-the-doc-dr-layne-norton/

Barbellerella

I guess, essentially what I'm saying is that happier people live longer so do what makes you happy.

I so agree with this.. I used to be MAJORLY OCD about everything I ate.. All it did was make me stressed all the time, which I think is way worse on my body. Lightening up a little and enjoying life is SO much better for me!!

UsedToBeHusky

That was useful, thanks Steve!

quirkytizzy

Cheers. I've gone nuts before when I tried to be all restrictive and eat only healthy foods. I lost very little weight doing that.

geekyjock76

I don't want a life without ice cream and various vices. That would be boring and unsustainable.

stephdeeable

I don't want to live a long life if that life does not include chips.

UsedToBeHusky

Cheers. I've gone nuts before when I tried to be all restrictive and eat only healthy foods. I lost very little weight doing that.

Cortisol is a *****! I struggle to manage my external stress levels. I think very often that is what causes me the most problem losing because I really don't handle stress well, and by stress, I mean stuff like, the kids are in trouble at school, the car broke down, the bills are too much... and so forth. All of that stuff will raise cortisol levels as well.

myofibril

If you are following a macronutrient intake that is friendly for body composition you will be eating a lot of ‘clean’ foods by default because you will not be able to hit a protein, carb, fat, and fiber intake conducive to body composition improvement if all you eat are high sugar/fat foods.

Exactly. There is much more that unites "clean eaters" and "IIFYMers" than divides them.

You have people on opposite ends of the spectrum: you must only eat "clean" or you can cram endless amounts of "junk" down your gullet as long as IIYM but these people generally get shunned in polite society...

So_Much_Fab

I like to "eat clean" as best I can:

- I often cook my own foods and try to limit eating overly processed, preservative laden stuff.
- I don't do artificial sweeteners - my preference.
- I limit soy because of the GMO factor + it not being good for thyroid issues.
- I avoid MSG and HFCS.

That said, I know I'll never be a 100% clean eater - there are just too many foods I'll never be able to give up:

- Pizza
- Garlic wings
- Bacon
- Wine
- Fried Shrimp or Clam Strips
- Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
- Oreos

...you get the picture. :laugh:

I also don't preach to others based on my consumption preferences, I really don't care what others' put into their mouths!

diodelcibo

Well I have no problem food cravings and my diet is an extreme example but I do eat "sugars" according to their GI index and separate "fats" into mono,poly,trans and proteins. Also I change the ratios of these every month after getting my testosterone checked and IGF-1 to make my diet more efficient.

Whilst it works for me I don't think the majority of the population contain sustain a diet like this for a decent amount of time.

Unknown

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Mr_Bad_Example

I guess, essentially what I'm saying is that happier people live longer so do what makes you happy.

QFT - the brain is just as important to being healthy as any other part of your body. Personally, I'd rather focus on the quality of my life and let the quantity of years work itself out.

RandiLandCHANGED

Clean eating drove me insane. For me, Iifym. Heck, even if it doesn't fit them!

iAMsmiling

I tend to think most "clean eaters" are just using the term as shorthand for eating low calorie density foods that fit their macros. So yea, I don't eat at fast food places because I blast through way too many calories before I feel satisfied and that doesn't work for me.
It's the clean eating religion folks that get seriously under my skin. It's just not reality based.

dinkydudette

Just to clarify, can you eat clean, as long as it fits your macros?

wilkyway

Nice read!
I'm having a hard time with stress-hormone levels due to several factors(one of which I believe is my caloric intake.)

Must admit, I do catch myself stressing over certain food items and even restrict certain things I love (WHY am I doing this to myself.....) When actually I remember, at my leanest I simply stuck to things I like eating (many of these things were pretty natural and fresh anyway) but NEVER turning the odd piece of cake/chocolate/fatty food down for dieting reasons! Stuck to sensible portion sizes and got plenty of fresh air n exercise - et voilá!

So thanks for posting, this reminds me to focuse on my happiness and satisfaction and to believe I can do this, as long as it's sustainable and for life :flowerforyou:

sccet

Water
Hops
Barley
Yeast.

Sounds pretty clean to me. IIFMM, that is. :drinker:

Sweet_Gurl_Next_Door

for me my focus is to eat more. I've been undereating so that is my primary focus. I want to get healthy and well. I do want to eat clean because I want to make wiser choices when I eat. we do eat farm fresh eggs and when our garden comes in we will doing our own veggies and try to eat as much off the land as possible. besides meats from the store usually have growth hormones and we don't know the things they inject the meat with. eating our own meat off the land like our own cow we know because my stepdad does it himself.

IronPlayground

Too answer the first part of your post, I believe genetics plays a big part of why some people can smoke, drink, and eat bacon grease everyday for 40 years and live to 100.

I think there is a lot of orthorexia going around these days. Which is quite sad, IMO. I fully enjoy being able to fit poptarts, cheesecake, ice cream, etc into my day.

caseythirteen

If you are following a macronutrient intake that is friendly for body composition you will be eating a lot of ‘clean’ foods by default because you will not be able to hit a protein, carb, fat, and fiber intake conducive to body composition improvement if all you eat are high sugar/fat foods.

Exactly. There is much more that unites "clean eaters" and "IIFYMers" than divides them.

You have people on opposite ends of the spectrum: you must only eat "clean" or you can cram endless amounts of "junk" down your gullet as long as IIYM but these people generally get shunned in polite society...

^^ Agreed! I think there is a lot of cross-over in the two terms for most people but others can definitely take it to extremes.

Cr01502

I think it's simply a matter of whatever lifestyle suits you best.

I find that eating "clean" is far too limiting for me so I stick with IIFYM.

Although still about 80-90% of my diet is "clean food" anyway.

Just find what works.

eric_sg61

I guess, essentially what I'm saying is that happier people live longer so do what makes you happy.

I eat clean because I want to fuel my body with foods that work most effectively.

Got any proof of this? Source?

n2thenight24

JenniferMary_9169

It's really nice to read somethingy completely logical on the message boards. I have been a yo-yo dieter for as long as I can remember, and I have been stuck in the 250-280 pound zone for most of my "adult life". Restricting foods simply does not work for me. I have found that since I started playing with my caloric levels and eating smaller portions of foods I love, I am seeing actual results. It's going to take a while for me to undo all of the damage that I have done over the years, but I know now that I can do it by doing what is best for me.

myofibril

I think (no seriously, despite it seems like I actually do think from time to time) that if you find a eating plan that you feel comfortable with what it does is free up time that hopefully you can use to concentrate on other aspects of your life to make it better / more fulfilled / less stressful.

ninerbuff

I have a couple of relatives who are "clean eaters". All they ****ing talk about is food. And how much better their eating is then others around them. And that's really all they talk about. Go to a movie with them, they comment on everyone eating hot dogs, nachos, popcorn. Go to Disneyland, same thing.
I invite them to parties, but have to tell them that if they want their own food, they can bring it. I've personally had to tell them that they can't come if they are going to criticize how others are eating. Don't see how that's a "happy" life.
So yes, happiness is part of being healthy. "Clean" food doesn't do it alone.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

RECowgill

I thought it was Jack Lalanne who said "if man makes it, don't eat it". To me, that defines what is a clean food and what isn't. :happy:

BeeElMarvin

for me my focus is to eat more. I've been undereating so that is my primary focus. I want to get healthy and well. I do want to eat clean because I want to make wiser choices when I eat. we do eat farm fresh eggs and when our garden comes in we will doing our own veggies and try to eat as much off the land as possible. besides meats from the store usually have growth hormones and we don't know the things they inject the meat with. eating our own meat off the land like our own cow we know because my stepdad does it himself.

Sounds great, and I do many of the same things, but it's not really that simple or economical for many.

April_Christine

I like to "eat clean" as best I can:

- I often cook my own foods and try to limit eating overly processed, preservative laden stuff.
- I don't do artificial sweeteners - my preference.
- I limit soy because of the GMO factor + it not being good for thyroid issues.
- I avoid MSG and HFCS.

That said, I know I'll never be a 100% clean eater - there are just too many foods I'll never be able to give up:

- Pizza
- Garlic wings
- Bacon
- Wine
- Fried Shrimp or Clam Strips
- Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
- Oreos

...you get the picture. :laugh:

I also don't preach to others based on my consumption preferences, I really don't care what others' put into their mouths!

I happen to agree with this. :flowerforyou: