what exactly is to "eat clean"?

Celebi03

Ever since I joined MFP, I hear those two words a lot. I don't understand the concept of "eat clean". I mean, ever since I've changed my diet I still eat potatoes, pasta, rice(portions) and still lose weigh but according to some people, I'm not "eating clean" enough.

redhead1910

It means eating natural foods with only natural ingredients. (basically nothing artificial or with added chemicals/preservatives.)

dwh77tx

To me eating clean (which I don't) is avoiding processed foods and foods with artificial sweeteners, colors, etc. A person who eats clean would never eat fat free ice cream or light mayo. They would eat real haagen daz and homemade mayo.

Susieout

It's not a phrase we use in the U.K.

Joreanasaurous

It varies person to person. But basically means eating whole foods and avoiding processed foods.

Pasta and rice are things you can be clean foods depending on who you ask and what kind they are.

photosarah

My understanding of the phrase means no processed foods and no chemicals (no chemicals also meaning no food sprayed with pesticides).

Acg67

My understanding of the phrase means no processed foods and no chemicals (no chemicals also meaning no food sprayed with pesticides).

Well that would be a one way ticket to the grave, guess clean eating isn't all it's cracked up to be

jen_zz

Dusting the dust off the pack of doritos on the shelf.

But seriously, anything that has a mother is "clean" I suppose.

UsedToBeHusky

To me eating clean (which I don't) is avoiding processed foods and foods with artificial sweeteners, colors, etc. A person who eats clean would never eat fat free ice cream or light mayo. They would eat real haagen daz and homemade mayo.

I thought processed foods was anything made by a company?

juliegrey1

I looked up this to find I eat clean anyway just didnt realise it!!

ryry_

Ever since I joined MFP, I hear those two words a lot. I don't understand the concept of "eat clean". I mean, ever since I've changed my diet I still eat potatoes, pasta, rice(portions) and still lose weigh but according to some people, I'm not "eating clean" enough.

My advice would be if you are losing weight and your diet is something you enjoy and you feel is sustainable, then just keep on keeping on.

KatLifter

To me eating clean (which I don't) is avoiding processed foods and foods with artificial sweeteners, colors, etc. A person who eats clean would never eat fat free ice cream or light mayo. They would eat real haagen daz and homemade mayo.

I thought processed foods was anything made by a company?

Basically, what I TRY to do, is: don't eat anything I can't pronounce. Look at labels and if you see a list of chemicals, it's better to move on to a different product. Even better, eat things that don't have a list of ingredients: fruits, veggies, meats, seeds, nuts, oils, etc.

Edited for failed coding

sunnyside1213

If it has a label, it probably isn't "clean".

iAMsmiling

To me eating clean (which I don't) is avoiding processed foods and foods with artificial sweeteners, colors, etc. A person who eats clean would never eat fat free ice cream or light mayo. They would eat real haagen daz and homemade mayo.

I thought processed foods was anything made by a company?

Basically, what I TRY to do, is: don't eat anything I can't pronounce. Look at labels and if you see a list of chemicals, it's better to move on to a different product. Even better, eat things that don't have a list of ingredients: fruits, veggies, meats, seeds, nuts, oils, etc.

Edited for failed coding

A brief introduction to phonics would vastly expand your menu.

wswilliams67

Eating clean simply means eating food that is as close to it's natural state as possible. No processing or heavy preservatives.

Also see Paleo Diet

i.e.
freshly snapped green beans = clean
canned/frozen green beans = not so clean

organic boneless chicken breasts = clean
Oscar Myer deli chicken slices = not clean

Usually if it's in a plastic bag or a box (aside from grains like oats and rice) it is most likely not clean. If you stick to the perimeter of the grocery store that's where your clean foods can usually be found. If it can sit on a shelf for months and months you probably do not want to put it in your body.

Oh... flash frozen is considered clean as well (good for fish/poultry)

shaxmath

I just steer clear of the canned stuff and eat a lot of veggies and fruits. But I also eat white rice and bread and potatoes. I figure that as long as you eat these things in moderation, it's alright. There's no really clear definition, I think but for most people, eating clean means eating more fruits and veggies..hope it helps you!

K_Serz

Eating clean means that you clean your food properly before you eat it

Acg67

Eating clean simply means eating food that is as close to it's natural state as possible. No processing or heavy preservatives.

Also see Paleo Diet

i.e.
freshly snapped green beans = clean
canned/frozen green beans = not so clean

organic boneless chicken breasts = clean
Oscar Myer deli chicken slices = not clean

Usually if it's in a plastic bag or a box (aside from grains like oats and rice) it is most likely not clean. If you stick to the perimeter of the grocery store that's where your clean foods can usually be found. If it can sit on a shelf for months and months you probably do not want to put it in your body.

You already contradicted yourself, how did the chicken breasts get boneless, perhaps through processing!?

janisskoczylas

I hate the idea that eating "clean" is so complicated. I had someone tell me the other day that the food we buy at the farmers' market isn't "real" food unless it is certified organic. o_O Way to make it even more difficult for the average Jane to eat "good". Bottomline, you shouldn't be eating fast food and processed food every meal. I try to eat clean, so I try to avoid lean cuisines and McD's. I grow and eat a lot and can as much as I can of my own veggies and fruits. We raise our own pork. We hardly ever eat out, and very rarely fast food. I think I eat mostly clean, but I don't obsess about it. Moderation.

EmmaKarney

It's not a phrase we use in the U.K.

Yes it is!

Sarauk2sf

If it has a label, it probably isn't "clean".

And the problem with that definition:

KatLifter

To me eating clean (which I don't) is avoiding processed foods and foods with artificial sweeteners, colors, etc. A person who eats clean would never eat fat free ice cream or light mayo. They would eat real haagen daz and homemade mayo.

I thought processed foods was anything made by a company?

Basically, what I TRY to do, is: don't eat anything I can't pronounce. Look at labels and if you see a list of chemicals, it's better to move on to a different product. Even better, eat things that don't have a list of ingredients: fruits, veggies, meats, seeds, nuts, oils, etc.

Edited for failed coding

A brief introduction to phonics would vastly expand your menu.

Ouch, and completely unnecessary. Also, regular American phonetics won't help with chemical nomenclature. Tell me this looks healthy.

Sarauk2sf

Eating clean simply means eating food that is as close to it's natural state as possible. No processing or heavy preservatives.

Also see Paleo Diet

i.e.
freshly snapped green beans = clean
canned/frozen green beans = not so clean

organic boneless chicken breasts = clean
Oscar Myer deli chicken slices = not clean

Usually if it's in a plastic bag or a box (aside from grains like oats and rice) it is most likely not clean. If you stick to the perimeter of the grocery store that's where your clean foods can usually be found. If it can sit on a shelf for months and months you probably do not want to put it in your body.

Oh... flash frozen is considered clean as well (good for fish/poultry)

How are frozen veggies unclean and fresh ones clean? My fresh spinach comes in a bag - apparently that is not clean.

KatLifter

Eating clean simply means eating food that is as close to it's natural state as possible. No processing or heavy preservatives.

Also see Paleo Diet

i.e.
freshly snapped green beans = clean
canned/frozen green beans = not so clean

organic boneless chicken breasts = clean
Oscar Myer deli chicken slices = not clean

Usually if it's in a plastic bag or a box (aside from grains like oats and rice) it is most likely not clean. If you stick to the perimeter of the grocery store that's where your clean foods can usually be found. If it can sit on a shelf for months and months you probably do not want to put it in your body.

You already contradicted yourself, how did the chicken breasts get boneless, perhaps through processing!?

What makes putting something in the freezer "unclean"?

EmmaKarney

Eating clean simply means eating food that is as close to it's natural state as possible. No processing or heavy preservatives.

Also see Paleo Diet

i.e.
freshly snapped green beans = clean
canned/frozen green beans = not so clean

organic boneless chicken breasts = clean
Oscar Myer deli chicken slices = not clean

Usually if it's in a plastic bag or a box (aside from grains like oats and rice) it is most likely not clean. If you stick to the perimeter of the grocery store that's where your clean foods can usually be found. If it can sit on a shelf for months and months you probably do not want to put it in your body.

You already contradicted yourself, how did the chicken breasts get boneless, perhaps through processing!?

I don't think any clean eater is really gong to mind that a bone has been removed from a chicken breast.

Sure it does come under the definition of "processed" - but it's still just pure chicken with or without a bone in it.

My personal definition is nothing artificial added. By artificial I mean ingredients that don't occur naturally as food products or that I couldn't buy in the store and make the item myself.

janisskoczylas

Also see Paleo Diet




I'd consider eating clean a part of paleo, but the two are not mutally exclusive.

EmmieBaby

simply it is

if it didn't come from a mom, a tree or the ground don't eat it

TravisBikes

I like my clean ice cream. Get ice cream. Wash with 1tbls of dish soap (Lemon flavor is the best).

Wash with hot water, mix. refreeze. Eat.

Sorry.

EmmieBaby

I like my clean ice cream. Get ice cream. Wash with 1tbls of dish soap (Lemon flavor is the best).

Wash with hot water, mix. refreeze. Eat.

Sorry.

ew :sick:

jonnythan

This thread is hilarious and terribly, terribly depressing at the same time.

EmmaKarney

To me eating clean (which I don't) is avoiding processed foods and foods with artificial sweeteners, colors, etc. A person who eats clean would never eat fat free ice cream or light mayo. They would eat real haagen daz and homemade mayo.

I thought processed foods was anything made by a company?

Basically, what I TRY to do, is: don't eat anything I can't pronounce. Look at labels and if you see a list of chemicals, it's better to move on to a different product. Even better, eat things that don't have a list of ingredients: fruits, veggies, meats, seeds, nuts, oils, etc.

Edited for failed coding

A brief introduction to phonics would vastly expand your menu.

Ouch, and completely unnecessary. Also, regular American phonetics won't help with chemical nomenclature. Tell me this looks healthy.

So unnecessary!