Clean Eating

You do seem like you're at a low weight. What's your height?

I think your parents are just looking out for you and they have a point. Eating "clean" doesn't change how much calories your body burns. Creating a modest caloric deficit will lead to the weight loss everyone looks for (losing fat and not muscle). If you have issues with sodium, then avoiding processed foods will be helpful. If not, then I don't see the benefit.

As for organic foods, don't make the mistake of thinking that organic = healthy. The "organic" label simply means different standards for food production. You can still have produce treated with pesticide whether they carry the organic label or not, for example, making it little more than an advertising scheme. Just because something is synthetic doesn't mean it's any more or less harmful than "organic" products. People just have this phobia regarding synthetic foods or genetically modified foods (which farmers have already done for thousands of years) or processed foods, etc. It's just that: a phobia.

I say listen to your parents.

I,m 5'3 and I've heard that eating clean in combination with deficit is the only way to lose weight.

Who'd you hear it from?

Calorie deficit is what causes weight loss. Doesn't matter what you eat either.

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

Just tell them it's your hobby. You don't need to justify your lifestyle choices to them.

My lifestyle choice is to store 9 pounds of cherries in the fridge and munch on them every few hours. I also mix cocoa powder into oatmeal. I don't have to justify this to anyone.

That being said,some of the most expensive aspects of clean eating (organic, grass fad) offer only mild benefits - a superior omega - 3 ratio in grass fed beef, and potentially slightly reduced exposure to pesticide residue; at least it's advertised that way.

For weight loss and low body fat It's more important simply to consume a general healthy diet of fruit, veg, whole grain and lean protein - hit macros and lift weights - than to do the more intensive costly things recommended by certain celebrities and groups with high income. A room with a barbell / dumbbells, a sidewalk outside, and some basic foods are all the average person needs to get started. I prefer not to over complicate things.

Tosca Reno makes me laugh with her bee pollen supplements!

There is nothing wrong with eating clean... the organic thing may well be a bit of overkill since the "standards" for organic are pretty wide (aka... no real standards to speak of so you don't really even know what you are eating)... As far as your goal being unrealistic, for your height, your parents are absolutely correct. 120 is toward the mid point of your IBW range.. actually a tad below center... this is likely why you are having a hard time losing more than a pound or two a month... 100 is underweight and very much not recommended.

My recommendation for you is to focus on fitness. If you have issues with the way your body looks, at your weight, I would start trying to focus on building a little muscle... Yes, if you are small boned, a small weight loss may help.... but if you are medium boned, you now weigh about what you should; that being said, I think that many folks think they need to lose weight when what they really need to do is to get in shape... They need to build muscle tone and strength. By doing this, your size will actually drop but you will still be at a healthy weight. Many folks try to lose weight but really what they lack is a solid muscle base.

Hey MFP friend. As you already know, I'm also petite and originally had about 13 pounds to lose, now only 6. You definitely don't have to eat clean 100% of the time to lose weight. The reason why it's often suggested in weight loss plans is that it's much harder to exceed your calorie limits when you are only eating raw vegetables, fruits, lean meats, etc. than it is when you are eating processed food (seriously, a few handfuls of chips and a bowl of *good* ice cream and I am pretty much over my limit already.). But I always sneak in small amounts of ice cream, candy, bread, etc. when I can - or sometimes when it's the only thing I have on hand.

I know how hard it can be to try to explain yourself to a family that does not understand your goals, or who thinks you are "fine" the way you are. (But maybe you don't want to settle for just "fine", right?) Everyone's situation is different though, but I've learned to try to limit serious talks with relatives as much as possible. And if they are supplying the food, then try to make it work the best you can.

I am about to fall asleep on my laptop, so maybe this was not the answer you were looking for tonight, but feel free to message me any further questions whenever. :flowerforyou:

I,m 5'3 and I've heard that eating clean in combination with deficit is the only way to lose weight.

This is not true. I don't eat "clean", and I have lost weight just fine, and am maintaining. I cook a lot from scratch, with whole ingredients, but I don't avoid processed or non-organic foods. It's a valid choice to do so, but it doesn't make much difference to weight loss.

Are your parents paying for the food? If so, I guess it's not surprising that they don't want to pay ore for what they see as a "fad", and if they've eaten a certain way all their lives, and have no problem with it, then it's understandable that they might see clean eating as a fad.

If you're paying for and preparing your own food, then I'd say just ignore them and carry on. It's your life, your diet, your choice.

I would also not be surprised if your parents are correct in telling you that your goals are unrealistic. You are 5'3. A weight of 100 lbs is VERY low, too low.

^and also this. Parents don't always know best, but in this case, it sounds like they're spot on. :flowerforyou:

(editing to add: weight loss will be slow when you are already a healthy weight.)