How important is it to "eat clean"

Just because something is low in calories/fat doesn't mean it is inherently healthy.

I completely agree! I'd rather eat 100-150 calories in nuts then 100 calorie snack packs.

To me I try to eat clean. I try and keep my diet mostly fresh, close to nature, minimised processed foods.

I never use diet foods, because I don't believe they are healthy.

I love how my body, my mood, my energy feels when I have a fresh diet.

I'm not sure why we are complicating it? Am I missing something?

To me I try to eat clean. I try and keep my diet mostly fresh, close to nature, minimised processed foods.

I never use diet foods, because I don't believe they are healthy.

I love how my body, my mood, my energy feels when I have a fresh diet.

I'm not sure why we are complicating it? Am I missing something?

Only that a large segment of MFP members participating in the forums are dead set against clean eating...

Can I ask why? Just curious that's all. :-) I simply want a healthy diet

Listen to your body is the most natural and optimal method.

I've learned to pay attention to how it all makes me feel. Ex. Beer, I've noticed if I drink not to get drunk, drinking for me is ok.
The problem is, I drink more than what my body desires, and that's when dry mouth, or fast fatigue comes. I don't like those symptoms so I drastically cut my drinking lifestyle in half. I only drink now when there are social outtings.
My 2-4 beers a night habit is gone because now I actually care about how it has been making me feel.

I also find carbs fog my brain. I have much clarity consuming reasonable amounts of greens and proteins.

To me a clean diet is eating as close to nature as possible :-)

What does that mean?

Unwashed freshly picked roots? Insects? Uncooked?

Unfiltered water?

?

What IS clean eating?

I've seen several references to cookies and cake as examples of "dirty" or "not clean" foods. What makes them less clean than, say, an apple, all covered in its wax and pesticides? What if I used all natural, organic ingredients to make my own cake? Does that make it magically clean?

Is it just a matter of nutrient density versus caloric value?

What I TRY to follow:

Eat Lots Of Plants – Eat food that is straight from nature. (Some people say “as close to the way nature made it as possible”. But I think that leaves too much wiggle room – in my humble opinion) Eat mostly foods that are off a tree, bush, plant or vine, and you’ve pretty much got it covered. The idea is to stay away from anything that humans (food corporations) have altered in any way.

Include Meats - Eat meats that are whole and straight from the butcher. Don’t buy pre-packaged meat products because you never know what’s in them. When possible, buy whole meats and grind them yourself. You’d be surprised what’s in ground turkey meat! You can also select a few turkey breasts and ask that the butcher grind them for you. Many butchers are more than willing to accommodate.

Enjoy Grains - Eat grains that are still complete and haven’t been broken down into “glue”. Stick to brown rice, whole wheat and other whole grains.(For a list of foods to stock your pantry with, check out this list.)
Read Labels I don’t know how many breads I’ve picked up at the store that say they are whole grain. But when I take a look at the ingredient list, white flour is the second ingredient after whole wheat flour!

Eat Fewer Ingredients. Try not to purchase foods that have more than 3-6 ingredients in the ingredient list. And be sure you recognize each and every ingredient. If you find a “mystery ingredient” such as “spices”, contact the company! Ask them what they consider to be spices. If it’s anything other than honest-to-goodness herbs and spices, avoid it! And remember, if you can’t pronounce it, it probably shouldn’t go into your body.

Eat 5-6 small meals per day. This may seem like a lot at first. But remember, you are eating smaller portions. If you really have a hard time with this, prepare your regular three meals and a snack for the day, and divide lunch and dinner in half. You’ve instantly got 6 small meals!

To me I try to eat clean. I try and keep my diet mostly fresh, close to nature, minimised processed foods.

I never use diet foods, because I don't believe they are healthy.

I love how my body, my mood, my energy feels when I have a fresh diet.

I'm not sure why we are complicating it? Am I missing something?

Only that a large segment of MFP members participating in the forums are dead set against clean eating...

Can I ask why? Just curious that's all. :-) I simply want a healthy diet

Personally, I'm not against "clean eating" for others, so long as they aren't claiming it's the only way to have a healthy diet. I do see a decent amount of concern on the boards that eating ANY of whatever the unclean foods in question are (no "clean" eaters seem to agree) will either ruin your health or sabotage weight loss, and that particular claim is false, whether the food is ice cream or grains or yogurt and frozen veggies or a Lean Cuisine.

What bothers me is the constant false dichotomy drawn by some self-proclaimed "clean eaters" where one is either a "clean eatier" or does not care about health. You can see it in this thread. Most people here who reject the "clean eating" assertion that it is better to eliminate foods you like--whether added sugar or grains or the ill-defined processed foods, etc. (there are endless contradictory varieties foods that don't make the clean cut, depending on who is making the claims) do not in fact find health unimportant and probably have quite healthy diets. I do not believe that aspiring to never have some homemade pie ever again is inherently more healthy. To me, moderation is a healthier attitude--at least for me. For others, whatever. I've never said that people can't have reasons for cutting out foods. It's just the claim that this is "clean" and other ways of eating not or that it's the only way to eat healthy that I object to.

And for the record, if you mostly eat "clean," and don't aspire to eliminate non-clean foods, however you define them, I don't think you are actually a "clean eater." Lots of people who don't so define try to eat mostly whole, nutrient dense foods. It's more an issue of whether eating an occasional cupcake or yogurt (processed, you know) is cheating or whether you see it as an acceptable part of an overall healthy diet. For me, the latter, for clean eaters, no, elimination is the goal. Or at least that's the only difference anyone has been able to explain that makes any sense.

Lots of people who don't so define try to eat mostly whole, nutrient dense foods. It's more an issue of whether eating an occasional cupcake or yogurt (processed, you know) is cheating or whether you see it as an acceptable part of an overall healthy diet. For me, the latter, for clean eaters, no, elimination is the goal. Or at least that's the only difference anyone has been able to explain that makes any sense.

I think if we all stopped labelling ourselves there wouldn't so many silly debates. Plus labels are for jars not people.

If I am out and want a cupcake I will eat one, or a little chocolate, or even ordering a pizza!

I personally want my main diet to be foods that are whole and simple.

Calories to control weight
macros for body composition
micros for health

Lots of people who don't so define try to eat mostly whole, nutrient dense foods. It's more an issue of whether eating an occasional cupcake or yogurt (processed, you know) is cheating or whether you see it as an acceptable part of an overall healthy diet. For me, the latter, for clean eaters, no, elimination is the goal. Or at least that's the only difference anyone has been able to explain that makes any sense.

I think if we all stopped labelling ourselves there wouldn't so many silly debates. Plus labels are for jars not people.

If I am out and want a cupcake I will eat one, or a little chocolate, or even ordering a pizza!

I personally want my main diet to be foods that are whole and simple.

Agree about the labels.

Also agree (as a personal matter) as to how I mostly like to eat, although I'd add that it's not inherently better or the only way to care about health.

Don't agree about lots of small meals--I'm a 3 meals a day person--but definitely think that's about doing what works best for you. ;-)

I do 6 small meals for a couple of reasons

I did this in hospital when I was in recovery for bulimia (it helps me to stop binges and purges)
I have hypoglycaemia so this helps me to manage this.

Clean eating is good if it work for you. But a Proper diet and regular exercise gives very good results.

For people who want to "eat clean", I'm sure it's very important.

For people who don't, I'm not sure its important at all.

Hope that answers your question.

This pretty much sums it up.

You are mistaken.
http://www.idf.org/latest-diabetes-figures-paint-grim-global-picture

India is the country with the most people with diabetes, with a current figure of 50.8 million, followed by China with 43.2 million. Behind them the United States (26.8 million); the Russian Federation (9.6 million); Brazil (7.6 million); Germany (7.5 million); Pakistan (7.1 million); Japan (7.1 million); Indonesia (7 million) and Mexico (6.8 million).

When it comes to the percentage of adult population living with diabetes, the new data reveal the devastating impact of diabetes across the Gulf Region, where five of the Gulf States are among the top ten countries affected. The Pacific island nation of Nauru has the world’s highest rate of diabetes, with almost a third of its adult population (30.9%) living with the disease. It is followed by the United Arab Emirates (18.7%); Saudi Arabia (16.8%); Mauritius (16.2%); Bahrain (15.4%); Reunion (15.3%); Kuwait (14.6%); Oman (13.4%); Tonga (13.4%) and Malaysia (11.6%).

those are raw numbers not percentages, india and china having the 2 largest populations in the world that puts them more in the middle of the list by percentage (around 3-4% each)

but thats surprising that america is number 74 in the world by percentage, i wouldve expected them to be much higher considering the overweight population percentage

That's because obesity is only part of the reason a person can develop diabetes. Most overweight people never develop type 2 diabetes, and many people with type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight or only moderately overweight. Direct quote: See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/myths/?loc=db-slabnav#sthash.DrI6yhOH.dpuf

Also, to the dude who said "eating refined sugar causes insulin resistance" - please visit the link above and actually read up on your claim (which, incidentally, is listed in their myth section).

There is no one determining factor in diabetes. It could be your race, plus your stress level, plus your love of fruit punch. It could be your grandfather, plus your weight, plus your activity level.

There is no one cause. It's is a cumulative series of genetic factors, choices and lifestyle.

I'm currently being treated for pre-insulin resistance. I'm on metformin because my doctor wants to get ahead of the issues before they turn into something more serious.