Do you eat CLEAN, IIFYM, or straight calories... and why???

I eat what I want as long as it puts me under calories and carbs for the day! I love having a little of this and that, but can't be cookies all day or I would be a starving grump.

I try hardest to hit my calorie goal, but since I'm set to lose 1lb/week I don't fret if I go up to 500 over a day (never even been close to that). I try to hit my protein macro and exceed my sodium (doctor's orders, low blood pressure), but I don't worry too much on my fat and carb macros. I guess I "eat clean" a lot because that's just the food I normally enjoy, though I did make a big honkin' cheesecake for dessert and you know I'm getting a piece of that.

[img]http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TOH/Images/Photos/37/exps45941_TH1789925D89A.jpg[/i] (Not my image, but an image of the recipe I used)[/img]

I certainly can't say I eat "clean," but there has been an improvement in the quality of my diet. As others have said, it's harder to be satisfied and stay within goal when eating calorie-dense, low quality foods. Too, I'm just a little more conscious of making better choices. However, there was one day recently when the only thing I ate all day was chili-fries. lol

I try to keep an eye on my macros, more for information purposes than anything, but am not strict about it - I certainly go over on Sodium and Protein with some regularity, sometimes a tiny bit over on Fat.

Overall, although with a general trend upward in quality, if it fits my calorie goal, I don't worry. And if I do want some junk or drink some whiskey , I don't beat myself up. I have lost 33 pounds since early June, just over two months and I'm loving my program.

Next goal is to start incorporating more exercise. Unless I actually work hard physically, I don't "work out" - so I either burn a lot (roofing, etc) or I am pretty sedentary. I would like to at least start walking regularly for now, just getting in the habit of moving, doing something. And this is sort of on-topic as well - as of today, my calorie goal has dropped by 160 calories per day from the time I started, so it'll be a way of also giving myself a little more caloric cushion as I start having to be more careful (as well as, of course, all of the other obvious benefits).

Combination of all three.. I set my carb/fat/protein goals first and use that as a guide when I'm planning out my day. I also try and choose whole foods whenever possible, my goal is at least 10 servings fruits/veggies per day. Once all that's in.. I fill out any remaining calories with things I want/crave

Everyone just has to find what works for them!

This. Hit my macros, ~40 g of fiber, micronutrients, and the leftover macros go to the yummy snacks (usually only 300-400)

Just thought it'd be interesting to see how others who are being successful do it....

Clean to me means no processed stuff, lots of whole foods, etc.

IIFYM If It Fits Your Macros is certain percentages of protein, carb, fat, etc.

Straight calories means nothing is off limits as long as you don't exceed your daily allotment....

What are you doing that is working for you???

I do a mix of all those but none of them. I try to hit my protein macro and not exceed my fat macro by too much (a problem area for me). I put just as much thought into fiber as either of those, but don't pay much attention to other carbs. I don't eat a consistent number of calories but try to keep it at or under TDEE when averaged over time. I strive to eat lots of whole natural foods, and I limit foods I think are not healthy, but I don't think I could honestly say "never again" for any food I like.

Mostly I just eat foods I like while focusing on nutrition (micros every bit as much as macros) and trying not to overeat. And I exercise. Eating right seems pointless to me without exercise.

I try to eat for the soul as well as the body. I love fruits and vegetables and other whole foods, but sometimes I just want cake.

Rather, that's what I tried to do before homelessness happened. Now, I eat to survive. 2 weeks on bread, american cheese, plain yogurt, grapenuts, and bananas. Next shopping trip, rice and lentils and frozen veggies (if the generics are on sale).

No offense... but how are you on MFP if you are homeless? Either way sorry to hear you are down on your luck, hope things improve soon.

Lots of people maintain Internet service (phone, library, a friend, etc), even when they don't have a regular place to stay. Helps with job search and all. My question was about the frozen food - lol. But seriously, good for you for doing what you can to stay on track and I hope things come together for you soon.

How? Laptop and human kindness. Did you mean why? Because life doesn't stop when you're filling out paperwork and job hunting. Where? A friends house next to the cot they set up, but you'll see homeless people using the internet at the library all day, every day.

I am receiving transitional assistance (welfare that you have to pay back), so I have a small amount for food. I went grocery shopping without a plan last week, and didn't quite pick out the right things from my nutritional needs, so I came here and was reminded of the existence of eggs and lentils and other inexpensive foods with high nutrient density. Tracking feels like a bit of a joke, but acting is better than not acting. I could sit on the sidewalk with a dirty sign and a noxious odor, but I've chosen to humble myself by accepting the help that's out there.

Great answer. Take care.

Just a FYI, there is more to IIFYM than just setting some %'s It should still be based primarily on whole unprocessed foods. Flexbile dieting is a better term as it should include adequate micronutrients and fibre.

IIFYM or flexible dieting for me.

i disagree with the bold.

there is nothing wrong with processed foods. except for fresh fruit, eggs, and the occasional frozen vegetables, pretty much everything else i eat is processed in some way or another.

there is this dogma out there that somehow "processed" is synonymous with "bad" or "unhealthy" or "nutritionally empty". i reject that notion completely.

IIFYM for the most part. I mostly watch my protein, as my fat tends to take care of itself. It's a rare day that I don't get enough fat, even if I pay no attention to it.

I try for my 5 fruit and veg every day (though the last few weeks have been particularly poor in that respect, for various reasons).

And finally, I come in under my maintenance calories to achieve weight loss. Generally by 500 cals, sometimes by less, rarely by significantly more.