Do I have to eat 100% clean to lose weight?

starvinkevin
starvinkevin Posts: 331
edited February 7 in Food and Nutrition
I've been using mfp again for the past month and while I lost a solid 8lbs with running, eating back exercise calories, and setting a goal of 1500 cals I have stalled for the past week. However, my diet isn't the healthiest with fries and hamburgers at times because of work. I always pick the correct calorie amount for the junk food but I an wondering if that is what is keeping me from losing weight. I thought it was all about maintaining a deficit but am I wrong?
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Replies

  • starvinkevin
    starvinkevin Posts: 331
    Nm google had the answer - guy lost almost 30lbs and his cholesterol levels improved on a junk food diet over 10 weeks.
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/comments/MY01589_comments/POST=1#post
  • Cole721
    Cole721 Posts: 15
    Try IIFYM instead of just a set calories count. It's hard for me to still think I can eat a cookie or ice cream or pizza versus a salad or no butter popcorn etc, but it might help you balance out your levels more.
  • sola24
    sola24 Posts: 334 Member
    No, You will lose weight as long as you are eating at a deficit.
  • illuvatree
    illuvatree Posts: 185 Member
    I think it helps but it's not 100% necessary.
  • Gearjammer71
    Gearjammer71 Posts: 151 Member
    My diary will enhance the weight loss of many clean eaters - through vomiting. I really should be ashamed of myself and lock that thing up before it kills again, but I've lost a hell of a lot of weight.
  • cfredz
    cfredz Posts: 292 Member
    Its not necessary but it has helped me greatly and I feel better overall not eating crap.
  • rodneyderrick
    rodneyderrick Posts: 483 Member
    No. You need to burn more calories than you take into your body to lose weight.
  • Sovictorrious
    Sovictorrious Posts: 770 Member
    I dont think so.
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    No. See ticker below.
  • abac30
    abac30 Posts: 9 Member
    You do not have to eat 100% clean however just creating a calorie deficit will not help your goal. The timing of when you eat bad food can be helpful to your cause. Look into carb backloading. It is a fun way to lose get lean and eat what you want
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    No.
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    You do not have to eat 100% clean however just creating a calorie deficit will not help your goal. The timing of when you eat bad food can be helpful to your cause. Look into carb backloading. It is a fun way to lose get lean and eat what you want

    A caloric deficit is all one needs to lose weight. Period. Nothing else.
  • Mr_Bad_Example
    Mr_Bad_Example Posts: 2,403 Member
    Yes. Make sure all of your food comes in wrappers to preserve cleanliness.
  • Laurayinz
    Laurayinz Posts: 931 Member
    You do not have to eat 100% clean however just creating a calorie deficit will not help your goal. The timing of when you eat bad food can be helpful to your cause. Look into carb backloading. It is a fun way to lose get lean and eat what you want
    05TH_PASSWORD_913662e.jpg

    No.
  • ktsmom430
    ktsmom430 Posts: 1,100 Member
    No, and it is definately not easy to eat 100% clean.
  • arrseegee
    arrseegee Posts: 575 Member
    For weight loss it is the deficit that matters. However, when you reduce your calories you also reduce your intake of all the 'good' things in food, e.g. vitamins and minerals. If you decide to eat your 1500 calories a day only from potato chips you will probably lose weight but you will also be putting yourself at risk of nutrient deficiencies, which can cause you to get ill, which can undermine your attempt to lose weight.

    So the smart thing to do for your health is to choose to eat 'clean', e.g. nutrient dense, foods.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    You do not have to eat 100% clean however just creating a calorie deficit will not help your goal.

    If the goal is weight loss, yes it will.
  • ryry_
    ryry_ Posts: 4,966 Member
    You do not have to eat 100% clean however just creating a calorie deficit will not help your goal. The timing of when you eat bad food can be helpful to your cause. Look into carb backloading. It is a fun way to lose get lean and eat what you want

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  • _Calypso_
    _Calypso_ Posts: 1,074 Member
    Nope.

    A deficit is all you really need. However, eating better calories..... fruits/veggies/lean mean vs McDonalds will be beneficial to your loss.
  • MaryJane_8810002
    MaryJane_8810002 Posts: 2,082 Member
    The only thing that works is moderation.
  • niknokd
    niknokd Posts: 127 Member
    A basic way to sum it up:
    How much you eat = whether you gain or lose (weight)
    What you eat = how your body looks with that gain or loss (body composition)
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    You do not have to eat 100% clean however just creating a calorie deficit will not help your goal.

    Assuming your goal is "eat clean" then true.

    If your goal is lose weight, lose body fat, build muscle, increase health, or increase performance, then false.
  • Ithina1
    Ithina1 Posts: 93 Member
    No, You will lose weight as long as you are eating at a deficit.

    ^this. Your weight loss could be stalled due to water retention or whatever. You also may have under-estimated some of the things you ate. You won't lose the same amount each week. You're wanting to look for a downard trend. Some weeks I weigh more, some the same, some less. Just keep at it :)
  • crazybookworm
    crazybookworm Posts: 779 Member
    It may not be the food that has you stalled. Try revamping your exercise routine. If your only form of exercise is running, then your body expects that and then doesn't have to work as hard anymore. Try adding some strength training to your routine. Or adding some HIIT to your running routine to switch things up a little.

    Keeping your body out of an exercise routine will keep it guessing and always result in a great calorie burn!
  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    If you want to lose weight you can eat what you like as long as its under your daily goal. However to feel good its probably best
    to try and eat at least 75% clean.

    I still have some junk everyday - sweets normally and still losing here.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    A basic way to sum it up:
    How much you eat = whether you gain or lose (weight)
    What you eat = how your body looks with that gain or loss (body composition)

    Not so. If you lose fat, your body will look the same no matter what you ate while losing it. Your overall health will be better if you get a full compliment of nutrients, so it makes sense to eat a variety of nutrient dense foods for the most part.

    But there is no need to get all OCD about it. This quote kind of sums it up.
    "Once our nutrient needs are met, we don’t get extra credit for eating more nutritious food! - Eric Helms"

    Eat mostly nutritious food, stay in calorie deficit and enjoy yourself a little.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,251 Member
    The only thing that works is moderation.
    For you.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    The only thing that works is moderation.
    For you.

    Yes, him.

    Well, and everyone else too.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    No.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    The only thing that works is moderation.
    For you.

    Yes, him.

    Well, and everyone else too.

    Nonsense
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