Taking the Plunge to Eat Clean

BarbaraCarr1981
BarbaraCarr1981 Posts: 903 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Just wondering what others think on this:

So if I decide to take the plunge to eat totally clean with one cheat meal per week, I really shouldn't need MFP now should I? It would alleviate the time having to look up all these "clean foods" and would make more time to focus more on exercise and eating clean, correct?
I am thinking I would like to try this approach and come back to MFP in 3 months and tell yas how it went. The actual plan will be this:
Eat clean all the time but have 1 cheat meal a week.
Badminton once a week
1-2 walks/jogs per week with the baby
Strong lifts 3 times per week
Ab exercises on weight lifting days

Thoughts?
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Replies

  • skinnydreams19
    skinnydreams19 Posts: 282 Member
    That sounds like a really healthy, good way to do things (and keep your sanity) if you think you can do it. I've thought about taking the plunge myself, but the problem is that I'm still at a point where I probably need the support of MFP (and the kicks in the *kitten* from MeeshyBW).
  • shinkalork
    shinkalork Posts: 815 Member
    well it all depends...
    I've been using MFP for over 200 days now and I still use it all the time even if I eat clean clean clean...no cheat meals.
    cause it's easy not to bust your calories but not busting your daily carbs,fat and sugar is anothing thing.

    I'm working out 6 days a week + 3 hrs of martial arts.

    Your plan ain't bad and might work for you.
    I see no problem in trying it but..... make sure you don't go too much over those 3 things or you'll need a lot more workouts to burn them.

    Good luck
  • tabfjo
    tabfjo Posts: 78 Member
    You can eat clean but still overeat / eat too many calories! I would recommend continuing your food logging.
  • BarbaraCarr1981
    BarbaraCarr1981 Posts: 903 Member
    well it all depends...
    I've been using MFP for over 200 days now and I still use it all the time even if I eat clean clean clean...no cheat meals.
    cause it's easy not to bust your calories but not busting your daily carbs,fat and sugar is anothing thing.

    I'm working out 6 days a week + 3 hrs of martial arts.

    Your plan ain't bad and might work for you.
    I see no problem in trying it but..... make sure you don't go too much over those 3 things or you'll need a lot more workouts to burn them.

    Good luck

    SO ur talking about making sure to meet the carbs, fat and sugar targets and to NOT go over in those categories. Please note that I also plan to cut out the C R A P (Caffiene, Refined sugar, Alcohol, Processed foods) Although, I will still eat the following:
    fatfree/lowsugar yogurt and 0%fat low sugar greek yogurt
    Fibre 1 and Multigrain Cherios cereals
    Wholegrain bread & wraps
    Wholegrain rice
    SmartPop wholegrain popcorn
    Low fat Mayo, ketchup, mustard, low cal BBQ sauce, soya sauce, low fat coleslaw dressing and ranch/caesar dressings.
    There will be some lower fat cheese as well but not often and NEVER processed cheese slices
    Protein will be lean ground beef, chicken, frozen chicken breasts cutlets, whole eggs, porkchops, haddock, tilapia, peanut butter, greek yogurt, whey protein supp
    Fats: olive oil, almonds

    I was thinking a 40% carbs 20% fats 40% protein. As for the sugar, all sugars will be from wholegrains and fruits. Stuff that low in the glycemic index.
  • med2017
    med2017 Posts: 192 Member
    sounds healthy! good luck girl
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I'd at least track for awhile in the beginning. Eating "clean" doesn't mean you can't put on weight, especially if you like fats as much as I do.
  • Mia_RagazzaTosta
    Mia_RagazzaTosta Posts: 4,885 Member
    You can still overeat "clean" foods. I would still log.
  • EmmaKarney
    EmmaKarney Posts: 690 Member
    Cut out the low-fat foods - just go for the whole unadulterated version but eat less of it.
  • astronomicals
    astronomicals Posts: 1,537 Member
    clean foods don't exist... do some research

    thread/
  • Clew
    Clew Posts: 910 Member
    In theory you're right - it should take care of itself ... Just a tidbit to chew on, though, my friend - You have to be careful with low fat stuff. Low fat almost always means more added sugar. And sugar is a severely underrated saboteur.

    I have been experimenting with clean eating for a few years now. I always feel better when I eat on the clean side, but it's not easy - make that damn near impossible - if you use any pre-packaged anything. That includes yogurt, about 99.9% of store bought bread, almost all premade condiments, etc. Even then, if you can eat "clean" 80% of the time in today's world you're doing really well. (I'm not trying to be a know-it-all killjoy, I just want you to be successful in your project! :) )

    Send me a FR if you'd like a clean eating friend :) - all the best!
  • BarbaraCarr1981
    BarbaraCarr1981 Posts: 903 Member
    Well, I think for me - I'm doing damn good if I'm staying away from chocolate, chips and candy! I just don't except this post pregnancy body and I need to damn well step up and get this body changed! Pronto!
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    You can still overeat "clean" foods. I would still log.

    This! And how will you define "clean". There is no standard accepted definition.
  • EmmaKarney
    EmmaKarney Posts: 690 Member
    And how will you define "clean". There is no standard accepted definition.

    Why do people get so hung up on this?

    Is it real food? yes? it's CLEAN
  • baileybiddles
    baileybiddles Posts: 457 Member
    And how will you define "clean". There is no standard accepted definition.

    Why do people get so hung up on this?

    Is it real food? yes? it's CLEAN

    Well, what's your definition of real food? I bet it differs greatly from mine.
    That's why people get so hung up. No two people think the same way.
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    If you're consuming more calories than you expend you will gain weight.

    If you consume less calories than you expend you will lose weight.

    Whether these foods are 'clean' or not is irrelevant.
  • EmmaKarney
    EmmaKarney Posts: 690 Member
    Well, what's your definition of real food? I bet it differs greatly from mine.
    That's why people get so hung up. No two people think the same way.

    Is it found naturally in nature or is it man made?

    HFCS is man made
    Hydrogenated fats are man made
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    Well, what's your definition of real food? I bet it differs greatly from mine.
    That's why people get so hung up. No two people think the same way.

    Is it found naturally in nature or is it man made?

    HFCS is man made
    Hydrogenated fats are man made
    I wouldn't argue with you but there are those who would say dairy is not "clean" or grain or legumes. And certain foods that I would consider clean are somewhat processed. Like butter, peanut butter, olive oil. And what about meats that are commercially raised and not free range or grass fed?

    This is why, for me personally, I don't worry about "clean" or not clean. I just eat mostly whole foods from the best quality sources I can. I think the whole "clean" eating moniker is kind of conundrum.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    Well, what's your definition of real food? I bet it differs greatly from mine.
    That's why people get so hung up. No two people think the same way.

    Is it found naturally in nature or is it man made?

    HFCS is man made
    Hydrogenated fats are man made
    I wouldn't argue with you but there are those who would say dairy is not "clean" or grain or legumes. And certain foods that I would consider clean are somewhat processed. Like butter, peanut butter, olive oil. And what about meats that are commercially raised and not free range or grass fed?

    This is why, for me personally, I don't worry about "clean" or not clean. I just eat mostly whole foods from the best quality sources I can. I think the whole "clean" eating moniker is kind of conundrum.

    and vague and confusing and means different things to different people - that said, aiming for mostly whole foods is an admirable goal no matter what you call it. :)
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Just wondering what others think on this:

    So if I decide to take the plunge to eat totally clean with one cheat meal per week, I really shouldn't need MFP now should I? It would alleviate the time having to look up all these "clean foods" and would make more time to focus more on exercise and eating clean, correct?
    I am thinking I would like to try this approach and come back to MFP in 3 months and tell yas how it went. The actual plan will be this:
    Eat clean all the time but have 1 cheat meal a week.
    Badminton once a week
    1-2 walks/jogs per week with the baby
    Strong lifts 3 times per week
    Ab exercises on weight lifting days

    Thoughts?

    "Clean" and "appropriate number of calories" are not the same thing.
  • caribougal
    caribougal Posts: 865 Member
    What difference does it make if different people have different definitions of "clean" eating. It's quibbling semantics, when the OP's goal is a good one.

    If someone chooses to make their meals more nutrient-dense by eating whole foods, go for it. You'll likely feel great, do a great job of getting your micronutrients and lower your sodium intake by eating less packaged foods.

    People who chose to improve the quality of their food intake should be encouraged... not discouraged because you don't like the term they use. Sheesh.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Well, what's your definition of real food? I bet it differs greatly from mine.
    That's why people get so hung up. No two people think the same way.

    Is it found naturally in nature or is it man made?

    HFCS is man made
    Hydrogenated fats are man made

    Fully hydrogenated are common in nature. You know them as saturated fats.
    Partially hydrogenated fats also occur in nature. You know them as unsaturated fats.
    Trans fats, which are unsaturated fats with trans-isumer fatty acids, also occur in nature. 2-5% of beef and dairy fat is trans fat.

    Just some info for you.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    Just wondering what others think on this:

    So if I decide to take the plunge to eat totally clean with one cheat meal per week, I really shouldn't need MFP now should I? It would alleviate the time having to look up all these "clean foods" and would make more time to focus more on exercise and eating clean, correct?
    I am thinking I would like to try this approach and come back to MFP in 3 months and tell yas how it went. The actual plan will be this:
    Eat clean all the time but have 1 cheat meal a week.
    Badminton once a week
    1-2 walks/jogs per week with the baby
    Strong lifts 3 times per week
    Ab exercises on weight lifting days

    Thoughts?

    i would hang around MFP... once you get to the point where you can visually tell how many calories something has you don't need this anymore, but that takes a little bit. at this point i could tell you about how many calories a salad or an entree has as long as I know everything that's in it, but that doesn't mean i don't still find MFP useful.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    What difference does it make if different people have different definitions of "clean" eating. It's quibbling semantics, when the OP's goal is a good one.

    If someone chooses to make their meals more nutrient-dense by eating whole foods, go for it. You'll likely feel great, do a great job of getting your micronutrients and lower your sodium intake by eating less packaged foods.

    People who chose to improve the quality of their food intake should be encouraged... not discouraged because you don't like the term they use. Sheesh.

    That's true, but her goal seems to be weight loss. It would be sad if she thought that all this "clean" eating automatically leads to weight loss. It doesn't.
  • baileybiddles
    baileybiddles Posts: 457 Member
    Well, what's your definition of real food? I bet it differs greatly from mine.
    That's why people get so hung up. No two people think the same way.

    Is it found naturally in nature or is it man made?

    HFCS is man made
    Hydrogenated fats are man made
    I wouldn't argue with you but there are those who would say dairy is not "clean" or grain or legumes. And certain foods that I would consider clean are somewhat processed. Like butter, peanut butter, olive oil. And what about meats that are commercially raised and not free range or grass fed?

    This is why, for me personally, I don't worry about "clean" or not clean. I just eat mostly whole foods from the best quality sources I can. I think the whole "clean" eating moniker is kind of conundrum.

    and vague and confusing and means different things to different people - that said, aiming for mostly whole foods is an admirable goal no matter what you call it. :)

    This, I think we can all agree on. :)
  • EmmaKarney
    EmmaKarney Posts: 690 Member
    For sure - my point exactly.

    Just try to eat foods that are as minimally processed as possible and with ingredients that are foods not chemicals.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    ingredients that are foods not chemicals.

    I don't mean to pick on you, but this overuse of the word "chemical" drives me nuts. Literally everything is a chemical. An orange is literally made out of a million chemicals. Water is a chemical. So are oxygen, glucose, vitamin D, salt, etc etc. If you saw the actual ingredient list of an orange it would fill a book and contain a bunch of truly terrifying sounding chemicals.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    ingredients that are foods not chemicals.

    I don't mean to pick on you, but this overuse of the word "chemical" drives me nuts. Literally everything is a chemical. An orange is literally made out of a million chemicals. Water is a chemical. So are oxygen, glucose, vitamin D, salt, etc etc. If you saw the actual ingredient list of an orange it would fill a book and contain a bunch of truly terrifying sounding chemicals.

    then you need to realize that when we say "chemical" we mean man-made, synthetic chemical additive

    you should know that by now.
  • EmmaKarney
    EmmaKarney Posts: 690 Member
    Of course everything is a chemical.

    But I think you know that I'm talking about things like:
    1-METHYLCYCLOPROPENE
    ASPARTAME
    ASTAXANTHIN
    BHA
    BHT
    CANTHAXANTHIN
    SODIUM NITRITE AND NITRATE

    But sure you can have the last word.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I'd still log it. I'm not 100% "clean", but my heavily processed foods are pretty minimal. I eat a lot of veg and fruit...but I also eat a lot of nuts, avocado, nut butters, and meat...it would still be pretty easy for me to go over my calories. I can eat my weight in peanut butter.
  • caribougal
    caribougal Posts: 865 Member
    What difference does it make if different people have different definitions of "clean" eating. It's quibbling semantics, when the OP's goal is a good one.

    If someone chooses to make their meals more nutrient-dense by eating whole foods, go for it. You'll likely feel great, do a great job of getting your micronutrients and lower your sodium intake by eating less packaged foods.

    People who chose to improve the quality of their food intake should be encouraged... not discouraged because you don't like the term they use. Sheesh.

    That's true, but her goal seems to be weight loss. It would be sad if she thought that all this "clean" eating automatically leads to weight loss. It doesn't.

    Actually, she didn't mention weight loss at all. I agree that eating clean doesn't automatically equate to weight loss. It's possible to overeat on any plan.

    I agree with above posters that it would still be good to track on MFP, especially if you're eating different foods than you did before. You'll give yourself a chance to learn about the cals and macros on these new foods.

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