Losing weight with 'Real Food'

Lots of people do it and lose weight. It can make it easier to lose weight, as unprocessed, unpackaged foods are generally less calorie dense, so you get more for your money so to speak when you eat them. I prefer not to eliminate any particular foods from my diet (except trans fats) because I believe that eliminating foods that you enjoy, or good tasting foods can lead to binging, which used to happen to me.

Wait a minute.... are we talking about "clean" eating or simply eating real food instead of "diet food?" There is a huge difference.

Clean eating is not eating processed foods. Real food is not processed or genetically altered. It's not fish thats been farm fed junk that we then put into our bodies. Its beef, pork and chicken that hasnt been shot up with hormones or fed genetically altered corn etc..

I'm talking about real food. Real butter from cows that eat grass instead of modified corn, real whole wheat, full fat cheese, organic steak, chicken etc.. vegetables grown without being genetically altered, and sprayed with pesticides. Homemade pie, bread, cookies, muffins etc.. from wholesome ingredients not processed flour, sugar or other ingredients. That is 'clean' eating.

I'm not talking about not eating chocolate, cake, pizza etc.. I'm talking about making it at home with 'real' ingredients not processed.

Well I process all of my food, and it is quite real. It is very rare that I will eat something that is raw and unprocessed, but it is me who does the processing. This is why I hate the term "clean eating" and the assumptions about processing foods. For processing food, it's a matter of what processes are used and whether or not any inorganic chemicals are involved. I am all about doing my own cooking rather than buying pre-made stuff, especially stuff that's marked with the word "diet." If it's "diet food," it's probably disgusting. :laugh:

I was just scrolling through comments and finding some people saying different things. For me, I like to use the term "real food" because I find it more descriptive than "clean food." :flowerforyou:

I've lost weight eating "clean." I've lost more weight eating what I want on a daily basis and just keeping it within my calorie and macro goals. The problem for me with restricting myself to a grain-free, junk food-free diet was that any time I did manage to eat something off-plan, I would go nuts, and it was hard, mentally, for me to go back to eating normally. These days, I eat cookies or pop tarts or ice cream or whatever on a regular basis, so it's not that big of a deal. I can stop at just a couple of Oreos or a half-cup of ice cream because I know I can eat more tomorrow if I want. I still don't eat grains in the form of bread, pasta, rice, etc., except on special and rare occasions, just because it makes me feel sluggish and tired.

I've been slowly changing my diet to all real food meaning, no artificial or packaged anything. No low fat, nonfat or artificial sweetener. Lots of vegetables, lean protein and only minimal wheat/carbs because I'm hypoglycemic and must limit the amount.
My question is, does anyone else do this successfully and lose weight?

I think you have to find what works for you. I've cut all (most) packaged / processed foods out of my diet, but it's not like I immediately dropped 10 lbs (I wish!) - I'm still exercising and watching my calorie intake too. I'm also pretty sure there's reputable research that shows that calories in v. calorie out might not be the only key to weight loss. Personally, I feel a LOT better when I'm eating real food v. processed crap - because that's exactly what it is, crap. If you stick to "eating clean" you'll see office mates (and the like) losing weight while pouring fake coffee creamer in their morning coffees and zapping lean cuisines in the microwave for lunch, and it will be insanely frustrating, but know that you are doing your body so much good by not doing the same. That's why I'm anti-Weight Watchers, I feel like they almost push you to eat processed junk because it's "low in points." Eat good food. Eat what makes you happy. To me there is no reason to give up what you love, just do it in moderation...your body will figure the rest out. A quick note on full fat dairy though - I tried it a few months back and did NOT like it. Just a personal thing, maybe. I eat full fat (really good) cheeses and put half and half in my coffee, but I've found that Siggi's yogurt (from grass fed cows) has been a much better fit for me than either full fat Fage or full fat regular yogurt. Good luck!