Just an opinion: Clean-eating vs IIFYM

IronPlayground

junk food is for fat people. if you don't wanna be fat, don't eat junk food. arguing won't change that.

A single cupcake won't make one fat. Just like a single salad won't make one skinny.

WendyTerry420

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

Great TL:DR version! I totally agree.

UsedToBeHusky

I'm starting to find the distinction, while an amusing intellectual debate that often isn't very intellectual, to be functionally meaningless, as I've never seen anyone eat clean continuously for life. If you cheat then you are basically saying it's okay sometimes which seems to be the fundamental basis for IIFYM arguments. Perhaps it's in the extent of cheating. Maybe for some 20% cheat is too much and they practice 5%, but the very idea that any amount of junk food is going to kill you is preposterous.

That's like saying no one can ever say they eat healthy if they EVER eat something even remotely unhealthy. I don't think it's an "all in" or "not at all" idea.

What I took from his post is that we are all practicing the same thing, we are just choosing a different approach.

n2thenight24

I had a half a Butterfinger yesterday, can not believe I've gotten within 5 lbs of my goal weight eating so terribly.

Smashlee_Skins

junk food is for fat people. if you don't wanna be fat, don't eat junk food. arguing won't change that.

Arguing won't but a dose of reality will. Anorexia kills.

?? not eating junk food won't make someone anorexic buddy.

iAMsmiling

I posted this in a thread about juice drinking.
Seems relevant here too.

Anti-science is the new religion.
People who have rejected traditional religion as "unbelieveable" have latched on to all sorts of non-scientific silliness because it gives them touchstones of reassurance, and those are far easier to believe in than science is to understand.

Now, I think I'll go have a coffee enema to rid myself of the toxins from the unclean food I ate yesterday.

Yes, I'm referring to the hardcore "clean eaters" with that.

Unknown

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iAMsmiling

I had a half a Butterfinger yesterday, can not believe I've gotten within 5 lbs of my goal weight eating so terribly.

Our junk eating has synchronized. Cool.

AwesomelyAmber

junk food is for fat people. if you don't wanna be fat, don't eat junk food. arguing won't change that.

seems legit.

Not to me. :huh:

AwesomelyAmber

junk food is for fat people. if you don't wanna be fat, don't eat junk food. arguing won't change that.

A single cupcake won't make one fat. Just like a single salad won't make one skinny.

This one I agree with! :drinker:

sunsnstatheart

I'm starting to find the distinction, while an amusing intellectual debate that often isn't very intellectual, to be functionally meaningless, as I've never seen anyone eat clean continuously for life. If you cheat then you are basically saying it's okay sometimes which seems to be the fundamental basis for IIFYM arguments. Perhaps it's in the extent of cheating. Maybe for some 20% cheat is too much and they practice 5%, but the very idea that any amount of junk food is going to kill you is preposterous.

That's like saying no one can ever say they eat healthy if they EVER eat something even remotely unhealthy. I don't think it's an "all in" or "not at all" idea.

That is exactly the point though. If you agree that SOME unhealthy food is not going to harm you, then the debate really is about dosage, and the well reasoned IIFYM arguments that I have seen are exactly about dosage - usually 10% to 20% of total daily calories. Also, most of the arguments I've seen for clean eating also eventually develop into an admission that SOME junk food is okay. It really is about dosage then, and the clean vs. IIFYM distinction seems to just add fuel to a back and forth that continually misses the point.

marsellient

................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/

Totally agree there. I'm an IIFYM guy, but I eat pretty "clean" due to the fact that I have to in order to meet my macro goals. Most of my carbs come from fruit and veg and some whole grains...most of my protein is lean and most of my fats are of the unsaturated variety. In order to meet my macro goals, I have to keep things like sugary and salty processed foods and dairy to a minimum. I think the vast majority of IIFYMers do pretty much the same...we just don't get all bent out of shape over some gummy worms or that bowl of ice cream or whatever.

This makes perfect sense. As an incurable label reader from way back, I do choose the few packaged things I buy with the fewest ingredients possible. For example, I'm not sure why things like sour cream and yogurt need emulsifiers, etc., so I buy brands without. That's my choice. The older I get, the more I wonder if keeping food simple will help me avoid some medications so prevalent in people my age who have cholesterol and blood pressure problems. It certainly helps a lot in keeping the calories in check. At the same time, an occasional day of eating out or indulging in some sugary or salty food is part of life, unless one wants to become a hermit.

WendyTerry420

I have all the proof that I need....I feel better, my workouts are better and it works for me. If I eat crap food...I feel like crap, my workouts are like crap and it doesn't work for me. That's all I need.

So in other words it's anecdotal? Because I can say the same with me eating IIFYM along with some crap food.

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

^^ Truth


I was feeling like crap before because I was overeating. Now that I focus on hitting my macros and staying within a small deficit, I feel wonderful! Now it feels good to exercise, where before I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs. The composition of my nutrient intake is much more important in how I feel than whether it came from a box. Perservatives are irrelevant in my experience.

KaraAlste

IIFYM is more humane. Make sure a lot of the food is clean within there to get nutrients.

eric_sg61

junk food is for fat people. if you don't wanna be fat, don't eat junk food. arguing won't change that.

Umm yeah.
Looks down at abs,man I am so fat.

akp4Him

bump to read later

sunsnstatheart

junk food is for fat people. if you don't wanna be fat, don't eat junk food. arguing won't change that.

Arguing won't but a dose of reality will. Anorexia kills.

?? not eating junk food won't make someone anorexic buddy.

But not eating enough will. On the other hand, there are plenty of people on here that are not fat and do eat junk food. Your initial argument is wrong on it's face.

WendyTerry420

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:

What if a woman makes it?

dbmata

Water
Hops
Barley
Yeast.

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

Sounds reinheitsgebot pure.

My method of eating is simple, hit my macros, which means, eat my meat, eat those roast veg I love, and drink any grains I need or want.

Besides, nothing lives in ethanol, so that's as clean as it gets.

dbmata

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:

What if a woman makes it?

Sammich?

WendyTerry420

junk food is for fat people. if you don't wanna be fat, don't eat junk food. arguing won't change that.

Arguing won't but a dose of reality will. Anorexia kills.

?? not eating junk food won't make someone anorexic buddy.

Labeling food as "junk" is a bad precedent and can lead to disorders. There is no such thing as "junk" food, just food with different nutrient compositions.

WendyTerry420

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:

What if a woman makes it?

Sammich?

:laugh:

Only if it's BBQ pulled pork. I dunno how to make anything else. :noway:

Ramberta

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

My mom was one of the happiest people I ever knew. She died of obesity related complications at 60 years old. So, my experiences vehemently disagree with your opinions on this issue.

I eat clean most of the time. I eat clean because I want to fuel my body with foods that work most effectively. I eat clean because I want to stop putting garbage into my body. I eat clean because I feel better when I do. And yes, I eat clean because I want to continue to maintain my health, fitness and hopefully live a long long life.

I'm with you, here. I don't get why IIFYMers constantly try to bash those who CHOOSE to eat clean because they want to as a new lifestyle, not because they feel forced to "give up" certain things. I don't have a clean diet by any stretch of the imagination currently, but I dream wistfully of the day when I will salivate looking at a ripe piece of fruit, instead of donuts or chips or whatever else. I want to want healthy, clean foods MORE than the junk, and that will eventually mean eating almost no junk at all! And I don't see anything wrong with that, whether it prolongs my life or not.

This morning, I pigged out and ate some Reese's minis. The sugar rush that ensued made me feel a little dizzy and almost sick to my stomach for a few minutes. When I eat very salty foods, or pizza, or fried foods, I get awful heartburn and indigestion. These things never happen when I eat clean foods!

olDave

I don't have any studies for you...just a funny story.

An 80 year old man goes in for his annual physical exam. After the doctor is all done he tells the old man that he really needs to stop smoking, drinking, and chasing women.

The old man asks if that will make him live to be 100.

The doctor says no...but it will sure seem like it.:laugh:

fitandgeeky

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!

This is me more or less. I don't shove my eating habits down other people's throats either. I try and eat as clean as I can, but I'm not strict about it. I do it because it makes me feel better and I actually like healthier foods. Not to say I don't indulge every once in a while. I have a thing for mint chocolate chip ice cream and I'll never give that up :laugh:

LolBroScience

junk food is for fat people. if you don't wanna be fat, don't eat junk food. arguing won't change that.

You're going to get ripped up....

IronPlayground

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

My mom was one of the happiest people I ever knew. She died of obesity related complications at 60 years old. So, my experiences vehemently disagree with your opinions on this issue.

I eat clean most of the time. I eat clean because I want to fuel my body with foods that work most effectively. I eat clean because I want to stop putting garbage into my body. I eat clean because I feel better when I do. And yes, I eat clean because I want to continue to maintain my health, fitness and hopefully live a long long life.

I'm with you, here. I don't get why IIFYMers constantly try to bash those who CHOOSE to eat clean because they want to as a new lifestyle, not because they feel forced to "give up" certain things. I don't have a clean diet by any stretch of the imagination currently, but I dream wistfully of the day when I will salivate looking at a ripe piece of fruit, instead of donuts or chips or whatever else. I want to want healthy, clean foods MORE than the junk, and that will eventually mean eating almost no junk at all! And I don't see anything wrong with that, whether it prolongs my life or not.

This morning, I pigged out and ate some Reese's minis. The sugar rush that ensued made me feel a little dizzy and almost sick to my stomach for a few minutes. When I eat very salty foods, or pizza, or fried foods, I get awful heartburn and indigestion. These things never happen when I eat clean foods!

There is obviously nothing wrong with wanting to eat more nutritious foods. I do think there is a line some people cross that causes them to either stress or become miserable because they've made their diet too restrictive. At that point, there is a decision to be made. Do you continue with an extremely restrictive diet because you think certain foods are "bad" for you, even though you are miserable, or do you develop your eating to fit in things that will make you happy while still maintaining deficit and macros/micros?

JenniferMary_9169

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:

What if a woman makes it?

Sammich?

:laugh:

Only if it's BBQ pulled pork. I dunno how to make anything else. :noway:

Would you like a steak & cheese with peppers, onions & mushrooms? :happy:

fbmandy55

junk food is for fat people. if you don't wanna be fat, don't eat junk food. arguing won't change that.

mustgetmuscles1

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

My mom was one of the happiest people I ever knew. She died of obesity related complications at 60 years old. So, my experiences vehemently disagree with your opinions on this issue.

I eat clean most of the time. I eat clean because I want to fuel my body with foods that work most effectively. I eat clean because I want to stop putting garbage into my body. I eat clean because I feel better when I do. And yes, I eat clean because I want to continue to maintain my health, fitness and hopefully live a long long life.

I'm with you, here. I don't get why IIFYMers constantly try to bash those who CHOOSE to eat clean because they want to as a new lifestyle, not because they feel forced to "give up" certain things. I don't have a clean diet by any stretch of the imagination currently, but I dream wistfully of the day when I will salivate looking at a ripe piece of fruit, instead of donuts or chips or whatever else. I want to want healthy, clean foods MORE than the junk, and that will eventually mean eating almost no junk at all! And I don't see anything wrong with that, whether it prolongs my life or not.

This morning, I pigged out and ate some Reese's minis. The sugar rush that ensued made me feel a little dizzy and almost sick to my stomach for a few minutes. When I eat very salty foods, or pizza, or fried foods, I get awful heartburn and indigestion. These things never happen when I eat clean foods!

There is obviously nothing wrong with wanting to eat more nutritious foods. I do think there is a line some people cross that causes them to either stress or become miserable because they've made their diet too restrictive. At that point, there is a decision to be made. Do you continue with an extremely restrictive diet because you think certain foods are "bad" for you, even though you are miserable, or do you develop your eating to fit in things that will make you happy while still maintaining deficit and macros/micros?

Agreed. IIFYMers dont bash "clean" eaters just to bash them. It is usually to correct the bad information when they tell everyone they "HAVE TO" eat clean to get results or be healthy.