Clean Eating Clarification

In to see if clean eating gets clarified, this time.

I didn't mean to start a debate with my questions. I have been fat for half of my life. I am just trying to improve the way I eat and hope that some of that pays off with a weight loss. I guess eating "fresh" is more of what I am going for. Fresh fruits, veggies, meats. Dishes that I prepare myself. Eating lowfat has not helped my situation. I know that "clean" to some people is no hormones and all organic. I am not interested in following those guidelines right now. So for those who eat "fresh", do you say yes or no to lowfat cheeses?

No worries...this debate is never ending and is nothing new; you didn't start it.

Just eat a balanced diet and get your nutrition on...I eat about 4-6 servings of veg per day, a serving or two of fruit...plenty of lean proteins and healthy fats (low fat/no fat is just about the worst possible thing you could do...it will jack your hormones up) and yes, my diet is primarily focused around nutrient dense whole foods...but sometimes I eat stuff from a can or jar or I go out to eat and I like ice cream and have a passion for jelly beans like nobody else on this planet...and you can pry the beer from my cold dead hands.

Also, with the notion that "clean" generally means no to minimal processing, you'd be better off with just regular old cheese. My rule of thumb is that if it is something that naturally has fat in it, I'm not getting a low fat/no fat version of it...I'm going with the full fat product. For the most part, no fat/low fat products, they just replace the fat with unnecessary sugars and sodium for flavor. Do not be afraid of fat, fat doesn't make you fat...and low fat/no fat really is one of the absolute worst things you could do for weight loss considering the way it jacks your hormones around.

I didn't mean to start a debate with my questions. I have been fat for half of my life. I am just trying to improve the way I eat and hope that some of that pays off with a weight loss. I guess eating "fresh" is more of what I am going for. Fresh fruits, veggies, meats. Dishes that I prepare myself. Eating lowfat has not helped my situation. I know that "clean" to some people is no hormones and all organic. I am not interested in following those guidelines right now. So for those who eat "fresh", do you say yes or no to lowfat cheeses?

No worries...this debate is never ending and is nothing new; you didn't start it.

Just eat a balanced diet and get your nutrition on...I eat about 4-6 servings of veg per day, a serving or two of fruit...plenty of lean proteins and healthy fats (low fat/no fat is just about the worst possible thing you could do...it will jack your hormones up) and yes, my diet is primarily focused around nutrient dense whole foods...but sometimes I eat stuff from a can or jar or I go out to eat and I like ice cream and have a passion for jelly beans like nobody else on this planet...and you can pry the beer from my cold dead hands.

Yes, in all seriousness, OP, rather than trying to get clarification on a subjective term, just keep it simple. Calculate a reasonable and sustainable calorie deficit for your goals, log everything, weigh everything and try meet your macro goals for overall health, plus try to incorporate some strength training to retain lean muscle mass. Optional: exercise for fitness and to be able to eat more. And don't deprive yourself of foods you enjoy.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it

People have different definitions for the term "clean eating", because much like most diet terms, there is no 'official' definition.

But generally it means eating natural foods. If it seems unnatural to you, then don't eat.

I'm not sure how Cool Whip would ever be considered natural or whole or clean. That seems to be stretching the idea beyond it's limits IMO.

Hello! A friend and I have decided to give Clean Eating (or maybe I should say "Fresh" Eating) a try for 30 days. I am on Day 5 and so far I think I have been doing pretty good. I have not eaten anything from a box or bag! Lots of fresh fruit and veggies and all my meat I have purchased at our local butcher. I am not eating all organic (please don't judge me on that. I still believe fresh is still a good option). My confusion is on diary. I thought I had to buy whole fat cheese since that's the most natural but a lot of sites on Clean Eating show nonfat diary or reduced fat dairy? So which should I be eating?? Also I saw another site that recommened eating strawberries with Cool Whip? I thought Cool Whip was processed? I also need guidance on bread. I know it needs to be Whole Wheat. Anything else I need to look for? Any tips on what to look for or stay away from would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

With respect to your dairy question, the answer is, it depends. Personally I prefer full fat dairy... to me it tastes better. That said, if I can't fit it into my macros I either get reduced fat or just pass on it altogether and have it the next day. Neither is better or worse. As long as you are getting adequate fat in your diet as a whole, nutritionally speaking you will be fine.

People have different definitions for the term "clean eating", because much like most diet terms, there is no 'official' definition.

But generally it means eating natural foods. If it seems unnatural to you, then don't eat.

I'm not sure how Cool Whip would ever be considered natural or whole or clean. That seems to be stretching the idea beyond it's limits IMO.

It was always my understanding that "clean" meant minimally processed. That's virtually impossible for most of us that don't live on or near a farm, as the unpasteurized milk discussion highlights. By that definition, I think that the regular cheese would be "more clean" than the nonfat cheese as its less processed, but its not really "clean" because you aren't a cheese monger.

For myself, I just try to go for the least processed option that makes sense, so no hamburger helper for me.

People have different definitions for the term "clean eating", because much like most diet terms, there is no 'official' definition.

But generally it means eating natural foods. If it seems unnatural to you, then don't eat.

I'm not sure how Cool Whip would ever be considered natural or whole or clean. That seems to be stretching the idea beyond it's limits IMO.

It was always my understanding that "clean" meant minimally processed. That's virtually impossible for most of us that don't live on or near a farm, as the unpasteurized milk discussion highlights. By that definition, I think that the regular cheese would be "more clean" than the nonfat cheese as its less processed, but its not really "clean" because you aren't a cheese monger.

For myself, I just try to go for the least processed option that makes sense, so no hamburger helper for me.

rubbish- you just have to cook for yourself.

or you make your own. ghee is not that hard to make. Milk clearly is a little more difficult... but really- the big issue when it comes to meat and dairy- the difference between "un processed" and "processed" is fairly negligible in the grand scheme of things.

Of course I cook for myself. That's the whole idea. Maybe you missed my point - its impossible to be truly clean as in truly unprocessed, so use foods in the least process form in which you can get them practically and cook. I can practically get pasteurized milk and eggs... so I cook with them. If I can get fresh carrots, so I use those instead of canned or frozen. I can get brown rice instead of white. While this isn't completely clean from a purist's point of view, its "cleaner" and has worked for me.

On milk...

It is unlawful to sell unpasteurized milk in the United States. Other countries do not always have such restrictions. This gives you slightly better access to "cleaner" milk, but increases your risk of disease. There are several localized dairies around the U.S. that will sell you low-pasteurized milk, that satisfies the legal requirement, but is grass fed, low carbon, Basically they get the milk up to the minimum required temperature and cool it as quick as they can. That's really the closest you can get to unpasteurized.

The whole-fat, vs. non-fat issue has little to do with "clean" eating. Skim milk is created by taking non-homogenized milk, letting it settle, and litterally "skimming" the fat from the top of the milk. I don't see how on earth that would make a difference in eating "clean".

Personally I'm not condoning eating clean or eating any other specific way. It's your own choice. I don't eat clean. I fugure everything we put into our bodies is a collection of chemicals, even carrots are essentially a container for beta-carotene and a bunch of other things. But that's just me. If you're cool with clean then go for it. If you don't lose weight on it then you were eating too much clean food. It shouldn't be considered a weight loss method.

illegal to sell, here in the UK, too

OP: on the cheese - personally, i stay away from 'reduced fat', 'fat free' anything but i'd say eat it, if it helps you hit your macros, but if you can fit the real stuff in even better.

i eat as naturally as i can but 'clean' eating seems like a huge hassle to me

On milk...

It is unlawful to sell unpasteurized milk in the United States. Other countries do not always have such restrictions. This gives you slightly better access to "cleaner" milk, but increases your risk of disease. There are several localized dairies around the U.S. that will sell you low-pasteurized milk, that satisfies the legal requirement, but is grass fed, low carbon, Basically they get the milk up to the minimum required temperature and cool it as quick as they can. That's really the closest you can get to unpasteurized.

The whole-fat, vs. non-fat issue has little to do with "clean" eating. Skim milk is created by taking non-homogenized milk, letting it settle, and litterally "skimming" the fat from the top of the milk. I don't see how on earth that would make a difference in eating "clean".

Personally I'm not condoning eating clean or eating any other specific way. It's your own choice. I don't eat clean. I fugure everything we put into our bodies is a collection of chemicals, even carrots are essentially a container for beta-carotene and a bunch of other things. But that's just me. If you're cool with clean then go for it. If you don't lose weight on it then you were eating too much clean food. It shouldn't be considered a weight loss method

There's actually quite a few U.S. dairy farms that get around the law by selling cow 'shares'. I can 'buy' part of a cow from a local farm and get raw milk and technically it's not against the law. Local news even did a spot on them a while back and the reporter drank raw milk on tv lol. The majority of their milk goes to Horizon organic so it's a reputable and clean facility. Raw milk is out there, you just have to do some looking for it.

Farms also get around it by selling unpasteurized milk 'not for human consumption'. Personally, I wouldn't touch the stuff unless it had just come out of the cow (and that sounds really nasty, so I probably wouldn't do it then, either :laugh: ). What I mean, is, fresh on the farm, yeah maybe. Take away to drink later? Hell, no. There's just too much potential for food poisoning. Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella, oh my!

That potential exists for *any* food that is trucked to a grocery store. I refuse to be paranoid.

On milk...

It is unlawful to sell unpasteurized milk in the United States. Other countries do not always have such restrictions. This gives you slightly better access to "cleaner" milk, but increases your risk of disease. There are several localized dairies around the U.S. that will sell you low-pasteurized milk, that satisfies the legal requirement, but is grass fed, low carbon, Basically they get the milk up to the minimum required temperature and cool it as quick as they can. That's really the closest you can get to unpasteurized.

The whole-fat, vs. non-fat issue has little to do with "clean" eating. Skim milk is created by taking non-homogenized milk, letting it settle, and litterally "skimming" the fat from the top of the milk. I don't see how on earth that would make a difference in eating "clean".

Personally I'm not condoning eating clean or eating any other specific way. It's your own choice. I don't eat clean. I fugure everything we put into our bodies is a collection of chemicals, even carrots are essentially a container for beta-carotene and a bunch of other things. But that's just me. If you're cool with clean then go for it. If you don't lose weight on it then you were eating too much clean food. It shouldn't be considered a weight loss method.

illegal to sell, here in the UK, too

OP: on the cheese - personally, i stay away from 'reduced fat', 'fat free' anything but i'd say eat it, if it helps you hit your macros, but if you can fit the real stuff in even better.

i eat as naturally as i can but 'clean' eating seems like a huge hassle to me

Actually it is legal (though restricted) in England, Wales and N. Ireland.

Eating clean is simply the practice of avoiding processed and refined foods and basing your diet on whole foods.

Here is a website explaining clean eating.

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/eating-clean-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html

The USA is probably not the best demographic for debating what is clean food, try another Country for better results.

:huh: HUH! and all this time I just thought it meant to wash your nasty hands before you eat dinner! Well who knew?! :yawn:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/eating-clean-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html

"The Basic Principles of Eating Clean

Eating clean involves not only choosing the right foods to eat but also avoiding all of the junk foods and processed foods that are so readily available. The keys to good health and proper nutrition are in the following principles:

• Eat whole foods: Whole foods are foods that haven’t been tampered with, in the lab or the manufacturing plant. The foods you eat on this plan are straight from the farm: whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, grass-fed and free-range meats, low fat dairy products, unsalted nuts, and seeds.

• Avoid processed foods: Processed foods are any food that has a label. A label means that more than one ingredient was used to make that food. You don’t have to eliminate all processed foods (like whole grain pasta or natural cheeses), but if you can’t pronounce an ingredient on a label, don’t put that food in your shopping basket.

• Eliminate refined sugar. Refined sugar provides nothing but calories. Other sweeteners can be used, but with all the good foods you add to your diet, refined sugar really has very little place in the eating clean plan.

• Eat five or six small meals a day. By eating smaller meals throughout the day you can help rev up your metabolism and reduce the chance that you’ll eat some Funyuns rather than that whole grain cracker with nut butter and strawberries. You never get so hungry on this plan that you’ll feel deprived or feel the need to cheat.

• Cook your own meals. Instead of buying meals in a box, cook meals from scratch. That’s not as hard as it sounds! Clean, whole foods need little preparation beyond chopping and sautéing to make satisfying, delicious meals your family will love.

• Combine protein with carbs. When you do snack or eat a meal, make sure that meal is balanced. For the most satisfaction from your diet, and so you’ll be less tempted to eat junk food, combine protein with carbs or carbs and fat. This simple act will fuel your body and quash hunger pangs."

Not sure why points #3 and #5 apply, but ok...

By this definition, including all five points, weighing them all the same, I'd say I eat a 40/60 clean diet, because I adhere to #4 and #5. :laugh:

"...if you can’t pronounce an ingredient on a label, don’t put that food in your shopping basket."

^^LOL! I've seen perfectly natural ingredients on labels that most people can't pronounce. Likewise, I CAN pronounce "hydrolyzed corn protein."

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/eating-clean-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html

"The Basic Principles of Eating Clean

Eating clean involves not only choosing the right foods to eat but also avoiding all of the junk foods and processed foods that are so readily available. The keys to good health and proper nutrition are in the following principles:

• Eat whole foods: Whole foods are foods that haven’t been tampered with, in the lab or the manufacturing plant. The foods you eat on this plan are straight from the farm: whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, grass-fed and free-range meats, low fat dairy products, unsalted nuts, and seeds.

• Avoid processed foods: Processed foods are any food that has a label. A label means that more than one ingredient was used to make that food. You don’t have to eliminate all processed foods (like whole grain pasta or natural cheeses), but if you can’t pronounce an ingredient on a label, don’t put that food in your shopping basket.

• Eliminate refined sugar. Refined sugar provides nothing but calories. Other sweeteners can be used, but with all the good foods you add to your diet, refined sugar really has very little place in the eating clean plan.

• Eat five or six small meals a day. By eating smaller meals throughout the day you can help rev up your metabolism and reduce the chance that you’ll eat some Funyuns rather than that whole grain cracker with nut butter and strawberries. You never get so hungry on this plan that you’ll feel deprived or feel the need to cheat.

• Cook your own meals. Instead of buying meals in a box, cook meals from scratch. That’s not as hard as it sounds! Clean, whole foods need little preparation beyond chopping and sautéing to make satisfying, delicious meals your family will love.

• Combine protein with carbs. When you do snack or eat a meal, make sure that meal is balanced. For the most satisfaction from your diet, and so you’ll be less tempted to eat junk food, combine protein with carbs or carbs and fat. This simple act will fuel your body and quash hunger pangs."

Not sure why points #3 and #5 apply, but ok...

By this definition, including all five points, weighing them all the same, I'd say I eat a 40/60 clean diet, because I adhere to #4 and #5. :laugh:

"...if you can’t pronounce an ingredient on a label, don’t put that food in your shopping basket."

^^LOL! I've seen perfectly natural ingredients on labels that most people can't pronounce. Likewise, I CAN pronounce "hydrolyzed corn protein."

Yeah, no. I don't really do #1. #2 is impossible and I have excellent pronunciation skills anyway so I guess I am exempt? As for #3, there's no chance I'm giving up sugar and zero reason to do so. #4 is total bunk and has nothing to do with it. #5 is not happening too often, but I will cook sometimes.:bigsmile: Finally #6, yes I will do that. So I guess I am a 16%ish clean eater.

:laugh: