Is eating "clean" vs. eating healthy?

Pamstimelines
Pamstimelines Posts: 79 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Does eating "clean" mean the same as eating healthy food? I'm just wanting to clarify this because my understanding is that eating "clean" is eating food in its most natural state. So food from a can or box although it may be healthy and good, it's not "clean" or is it? Thanks!

Replies

  • Sonicz90x
    Sonicz90x Posts: 40 Member
    "Clean" is a made-up subjective term used to describe food, but no one can define it because it means different things to different people. "Healthy" is much the same way. Foods can't be described as such without dose information or context of the rest of the diet.
  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    Which is more "clean", eating no-sodium added vegetables out of a can or eating a doughnut off the shelf?
  • BrainyBurro
    BrainyBurro Posts: 6,129 Member
    clean means washing something before you eat it.

    healthy means foods that don't make you sick (or worse), such as hemlock.

    those are my definitions.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    Does eating "clean" mean the same as eating healthy food? I'm just wanting to clarify this because my understanding is that eating "clean" is eating food in its most natural state. So food from a can or box although it may be healthy and good, it's not "clean" or is it? Thanks!

    You've pretty much got it. Clean eating generally refers to raw, whole foods and not any processed foods. Healthy foods can be raw, whole, or processed as healthy generally has more to do with the nutritional content of the food. But both clean and healthy are subjective terms.

    Every clean eater has a different definition of what eating clean means to them, and healthy can depend on your individual goals and needs. To me, things like fruits and grains are healthy because they help me meet my calorie, macro, and micronutrient needs. To someone who is diabetic or has PCOS, those foods could be some of worst possible choices and lead to some decidedly unhealthy results.

    My best advice is to figure out what is the best diet for you and your needs and not get hung up trying to label how you eat. No one has "ate clean" on their tombstone unless they were attacked by piranhas or flesh-eating bacteria.
  • millsrobm
    millsrobm Posts: 62 Member
    clean means washing something before you eat it.

    healthy means foods that don't make you sick (or worse), such as hemlock.

    those are my definitions.

    These are the best definitions.
  • Pamstimelines
    Pamstimelines Posts: 79 Member
    Thanks All! It probably IS best not to get hung up on labels!!! :blushing: :drinker: :flowerforyou:
  • laele75
    laele75 Posts: 283 Member
    No one has "ate clean" on their tombstone unless they were attacked by piranhas or flesh-eating bacteria.

    That made me lol.

    But the rest of what was said above me is true. I made everything from scratch almost out of necessity, but I can assure you even if it's 'clean', it isn't always 'healthy'. Nutrients are important, but as was said, what's healthy for one person isn't for another.
  • jmv7117
    jmv7117 Posts: 891 Member
    In to watch this debate blow up like the last one a couple of days ago...

    OP, I have my own definition of eating clean which is also eating healthy so there is no real dividing line. In short, eating clean is eating healthy but eating healthy is not always eating clean. There is a lot of information online on both topics.

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