Clean Eating Bashing?

So I notice lately it's pretty trendy to bash those who eat clean (whatever that means to them) or paleo. I know there are arguments on both sides of the fence regarding whether or not a calorie is a calorie is a calorie, with the body of research suggesting it is but newer research suggesting the types of calories do matter. Now, let's talk about something that is NOT ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS!

For those who eat clean, do you do it strictly for weight loss?

For me, I eat clean because I've eaten at a deficit using processed foods and have eaten at a deficit eating more whole foods and I simply feel more energetic, get sick less often, and have less gastrointestinal problems when I eat cleaner. The issue is not about weight loss for me, it's about overall well-being.

Has anyone ever tried both and noticed no difference in how they feel? I'm just curious. I'm open to the possibility that my experience is not yours. :flowerforyou:

I also like the concept of eating clean because I think it indirectly or directly leads to a lot of behavior that is good for the sustainability of our food systems. In my quest to eat cleaner, I have gotten into growing my own food and that has been great exercise, a good stress release, and a great way to get more connected with my food (which in turn has helped with my eating disorder recovery). Eating clean takes me to farmers' markets where I get to buy local food and support local families. In some cases, I really do know my farmer because I am my farmer or I see them every week. Eating clean has decreased the number of pesticides I am taking in as well as contributing to the food system. By supporting local food, I am decreasing emissions that come from transporting food all over the world. I'm not 100 percent perfect at this. I do eat strawberries in the winter. However, every little bit helps.

Eating clean has gotten me to try foods that I would have never tried, leading to a greater diversity in my diet. Eating clean has taken me away from fast food places that strive for identical food products all the time. In striving for identical food products, we limit genetic diversity in our food system, and heirloom seed varieties go by the way side due to the shelf life of their products when shipped or lack of uniformity in the products they produce. In seeking identical products, we encouraged genetic modifications; the effects of GMOs through generational mutations cannot be known for decades. Identical products produce very strange and controversial commercial meat raising and processing practices in large industrial farms, stockyards,and meat packing facilities. Don't get me wrong. I love meat. But, I prefer to know the source of my meat through hunting or via the rancher that raised it.. Luckily, I live somewhere where this is possible.

So, do I think eating clean is better behavior for me and for the planet? Yes. But are you ready for it? Maybe not.

I guess I'm just making a plea to stop bashing those who eat cleaner and consider the wide range of reasons we might choose to eat cleaner than we once did. I'm not some overly zealous environmentalist. I just want to know and understand the food that fuels me and where it comes from. I am willing to participate directly in that process and I don't think it's appropriate to disparage those want to put more effort into their own health and the health of society just because you're not at that point.

P.S. Yes, I know how we eat is just one component of our health.