Taking the Plunge to Eat Clean

Okay next question: Why do people eat clean?

because we believe that processed foods, refined sugars, synthetic chemicals etc are not what are bodies are designed to digest and absorb. our bodies are designed to run optimally on REAL food, so that's what we give it.

I want to avoid disease, I want to recover faster, I want to be able to handle anything thrown at me physically and mentally, I want my body to last a long time, I want to be doing yoga when I'm in my 80s. That's why I eat clean.

i''m sure everyone has their own answer though.

If you ate when you are hungry( and only then!!), until you are satisfied, not going by any specific meal patterns or eating something because you feel like it, now that is when you don't have to log, because you are satisfying your bodies natural instinct to eat when hungry. But honestly other than that, I would still log.

Erm, I can talk myself into being hungry anytime. That's how I ended up here.

If you ate when you are hungry( and only then!!), until you are satisfied, not going by any specific meal patterns or eating something because you feel like it, now that is when you don't have to log, because you are satisfying your bodies natural instinct to eat when hungry. But honestly other than that, I would still log.

Erm, I can talk myself into being hungry anytime. That's how I ended up here.

Yeah really. The "listen to your body" thing might work for some, but not for everyone.

If you ate when you are hungry( and only then!!), until you are satisfied, not going by any specific meal patterns or eating something because you feel like it, now that is when you don't have to log, because you are satisfying your bodies natural instinct to eat when hungry. But honestly other than that, I would still log.

Erm, I can talk myself into being hungry anytime. That's how I ended up here.

Yeah really. The "listen to your body" thing might work for some, but not for everyone.

Yup. My body says "I'm thirsty...I need a milkshake!"

Okay next question: Why do people eat clean?

1. I eat "clean" because it fits into my personal locavore food philosophy... eat organic local produce, grass-fed local beef, pastured local pork, eggs, chicken, support CSAs. Of course I can't eat that way 100%, but I still make the effort when I shop. I buy most of my food groceries from a local organic delivery service, and only shop at the market to supplement that as necessary. I buy in bulk when I can to cut down in cost.

2. As someone at extremely high risk for diabetes, it's critical for me to keep my weight down. I know from experience that I enjoy and can sustain a lower-carb diet better than anything else, so I eat a Paleo version of "clean" which for me is a nice blend of lower carb and high quality food. Paleo doesn't have to be low carb, but I choose to make it that way. I'm probably 90/10 compliant.

3. Eating clean helps me keep to a lower cal goal. I'm only 5'1, and TDEE - 20% is around 1360 cals for me. Not much. I aim for 1400-1500 cal/day, and I can get much more delicious and filling food for my calorie buck if I eat Paleo/clean than if I fill it with less nutrient-dense food.

4. I have toddlers and I'm 43. For me, it's not just about weight loss. I want to be alive and with a functioning brain and body for as long as I can. I feel like I'm on the right path, and learning more every day. I'm experimenting with intermittent fasting along with Paleo, both to burn out the last few pounds to get to goal but also to reap the benefits of lower IGF-1 values. Still trying to decide which flavor of IF will fit best into my lifestyle.

5. I'm trying to set a good example for my toddlers. They don't eat Paleo and I would never force it on them unless they began to show food intolerance or behavioral issues. I do want them to understand that healthy foods like meats and vegetables can taste great and that we can make choices to eat foods that make our bodies feel good.

I'm not perfect (I ate Whoppers at the movie theater yesterday!). But that's ok. Eating clean is a life-long goal, from meal to meal.

Now... off to eat my decidedly UNCLEAN protein shake after my 18 hr fast.

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 also eat clean, but I still log everything. I do it to keep an eye on my carbs (I love nuts) and also because as I am losing weight I am eating less and it's interesting to have my weight loss on record like this. I would log at least for a while, clean doesn't automatically mean you can't overeat, actually, the food tastes so good it might be easier TOO overeat :-)

Good luck with your new lifestyle, I'm sure you will love it.

At first I wanted to lose weight, but now I'm okay with what the scales say JUST AS LONG AS I fit into my prepreg clothes. Im lifting heavy 3 times a week to try and acheive this goal. I thought with going with clean or cleanER eating that I could acheive the goal quicker!!! Im only 10lbs heavier than prepreg weight but im having the hardest time getting this body changed to get into the small clothes! Belly is is flabby too, plus damage done by too many insulin shots in belly (scar tissue) Plus I know with clean eating my blood sugars will be way better controlled. Clean eating to me is no junk food, no fast food, no processed meats or canned items (besides canned tuna) I also know that I still need to stay within a caloric goal whether im eating healthy or unhealthy foods.

Eating "Clean" or "unclean" really won't make any difference in your weight loss or body composition. Calories and protein are what matter for that.

nope. see the carbs carbs carbs thread and look at my profile picture.

At first I wanted to lose weight, but now I'm okay with what the scales say JUST AS LONG AS I fit into my prepreg clothes. Im lifting heavy 3 times a week to try and acheive this goal. I thought with going with clean or cleanER eating that I could acheive the goal quicker!!! Im only 10lbs heavier than prepreg weight but im having the hardest time getting this body changed to get into the small clothes! Belly is is flabby too, plus damage done by too many insulin shots in belly (scar tissue) Plus I know with clean eating my blood sugars will be way better controlled. Clean eating to me is no junk food, no fast food, no processed meats or canned items (besides canned tuna) I also know that I still need to stay within a caloric goal whether im eating healthy or unhealthy foods.

Eating "Clean" or "unclean" really won't make any difference in your weight loss or body composition. Calories and protein are what matter for that.

nope. see the carbs carbs carbs thread and look at my profile picture.

c'mon baby you don't like what you see? :flowerforyou:

I ate "clean" my whole life, but still crept up to 215 pounds my senior year of high school - lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant-based proteins. Avocados, fruits, quinoa and other "healthy" foods are nutritious, but you will gain weight if you eat over your calorie goals.

Eat clean if it makes you feel good, but from my own personal experience, I'd put more emphasis on tracking calories.