Calories v. eating clean

I think they both have great importance when trying to lose weight or be healthy. I try to eliminate most processed foods but i'm not perfect all the time.

Honestly? Both. Calories in/Calories out is always going to impact weight loss. Eating "real" unprocessed foods gives you better nutritional content for caloric value, and will likely reduce the amount you consume as you'll be getting proper levels of fiber, protein, etc. as opposed to fillers which can actually leave you feeling hungry, sooner.

Clean eating reduces the amount of red meat one eats, but it doesn't eliminate it. It does, however suggest avoiding processed meats, like ham, sausage, bacon, hot dogs, etc. as they're not only loaded with artificial flavorings, preservatives, sodium, etc, but studies have linked them to an increased risk of premature death through cancer (pancreatic) and heart disease. Said studies suggest limiting processed meats and red meats to 20g-70g/day.

I think the whole principle is, as always, a lifestyle. Meaning that, if you crave a processed or refined food, indulge on occasion, in moderation, but don't include it as a regular feature of your diet.

Personally, I'm not a strict adherent, but I have found repeatedly that I tend to consume fewer calories when eating clean foods (whole grain, brown rice, vegetables, fruits, and lean, unprocessed meats) and thus lose weight without really putting much effort into it. When I've eaten an increased amount of processed foods, I put more weight on and actually have to try to lose weight.

Eating clean means nothing. Everything is "processed" to an extent, and you can make yourself crazy worrying about it. Everyone has a different definition for it, and by that token it pretty much means it is inexact, wishy-washy, and unnecessary. Calories are scientific and mathematical units of measuring energy, and can be very precisely logged and measured. You can eat as "clean" as you want, but if you are eating too many calories you will still gain weight. Whereas if you eat at a calorie deficit, you can still fit in delicious treats and not have to deprive yourself of favorite foods, and not ever have to worry about weight gain.

I lost 70 lbs without calorie counting and restricting the amount of times I would weigh myself. This was achieved through eating very clean, whole foods. It can be done!

I do use MFP now to help me maintain my current weight and count calories to an extent, but I am more focused on my protein vs. fat consumption.

They do say abs are made in the kitchen, I have to agree there!

For weight loss it doesn't matter. You can overeat and gain on "clean" foods too.

i agree

I lost 70 lbs without calorie counting and restricting the amount of times I would weigh myself. This was achieved through eating very clean, whole foods. It can be done!

I do use MFP now to help me maintain my current weight and count calories to an extent, but I am more focused on my protein vs. fat consumption.

They do say abs are made in the kitchen, I have to agree there!

You might not have been counting calories, but if you lost weight, you were eating fewer calories than you used. It's true that eating these types of foods vs junk foods makes it a lot easier to stay under your limit without counting, but if you go over you're still going to gain weight just as if it you were eating snickers bars.

You can easily gain weight by eating too much coconut oil, which is somehow considered "clean" by most definitions despite being pretty heavily altered.

"Clean" foods tend to be lower in calorie anyway and can be used to create a caloric deficit with minimal counting, but you pretty much have to make a decision: do you want to spend your time counting the calories of the foods you like, or save time by eating only specific things for the rest of your life? No one can make that call but you.

Simple weight loss is about calories, clean or otherwise. Regardless of the source/type of calorie, too many = weight gain.

For most people, simply focusing on calories will be less restrictive, and thus have better chances of working long term. The more you restrict (be it total calories, types of food, etc), the harder it is to sustain. This is why I think everyone should start with a simple approach - focus on a reasonable calorie intake, keep a reasonable balanced diet, and get some exercise - when trying to lose weight. Once they master the basics, if they want to focus on other goals/dietary preferences, then so be it. But start with the basics.

As for what "clean" eating means... it means something different to different people. Basically it's come to mean "eating in a way that fits with their dietary goals." The very general meaning is to avoid prepared, prepackaged, and processed foods.

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"Eating clean means nothing.". maybe in terms of weight loss. maybe. but in terms of health and how you feel, it is extremely important, and if you feel like crap, you're not going to have the strength or desire to keep going. just my two cents. and let's face it, are you really going to look and feel good on a diet of Twinkies and diet Coke?

The only place diets like that really exist is in ridiculous internet conversations like this one. No one is advocating anything like that. Most people just want to be able to have a burger or pizza or ice cream as part of their diet. No one is living on twinkies.

I hate statements like that. Way to take it to such an extreme that it's no longer applicable to the conversation.

Furthermore, the OP specifically asked about weight loss. How someone feels any any given diet is highly variable. But a calorie deficit is pretty much universal.


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For health reasons I think it's good to do both. But honestly, I've always eaten "clean." I make most of my food from scratch with low or no processed ingredients. That didn't stop me from putting on some extra pounds over the years. Even if you are eating high quality foods, you still need to watch your portions. Clean food has calories, too! :laugh: I believe it's fine to eat "dirty" once in awhile, too, as long as most of what you eat is high quality, nutritious food and you stay within calories, you should be fine.