Why do people criticise clean eaters/healthy lifestyles.

OP, why does anyone even know how you eat? I eat food around people and they never ask, "what kind of diet do you follow?" Do you know why they don't ask? Because they don't give a crap. The only way people would know if I had certain dietary protocol is if I TOLD them. Stop telling people how "awesome" your personal dietary choices are and they'll stop commenting.

This thread is an excellent example of your perceived persecution. No one knew you were a "clean" eater until you started a thread about it and proclaimed it to the forums.

Additionally, this is one of the few diets where you can say, "I eat clean xx% of the time."

You can't say that if you're vegan, vegetarian, IIFYM, paleo, primal, gluten free, breathtarian, nutrarian and all the other diverse 'arians'. Because once you give a percentage, you're not really a vegan or vegetarian or (insert any other here) dieter anymore.

You eat clean 90% of the time? Okay, so you eat food 100% of the time. Big deal. You're not superior for your wishy washy dietary whims.



Why do people assign so much ego to the types of foods they eat?

They may not be criticizing your clean-eating habits. They just might be criticizing YOU.

QFT

Probably because, at least on the forums, a good number of (but certainly not all) people who eat this way are know-it-alls...or condescending toward people who find something else that works for them.

This is not the only way to eat. It's not even the only way to eat healthy. I practice moderation-EVERYTHING in moderation. I eat lots of fruits and veggies...I do indulge in alcohol, chocolate, french fries, etc...but consume everything in moderation (as in once every 1-6 months depending on the food).

I don't think there's a right/wrong way to eat. No bad/good foods...some are more healthy, some are less healthy. Am I advocating that the donut diet or the grapefruit diet or eat one giant meal from 5 guys diet? No...I just think eating clean isn't for everybody, but there are definitely those out there who think that it is.

I think it's mainly because of terms like "jealousy and ignorance" and "can't stick with it." It presumes that people who eat one way are somehow better than people who eat a different way. It's asinine and condescending.

Also it might be because it cannot be clearly and concisely defined. One person's clean eating is another person's reason to look down their noses and say that it isn't clean enough. Says who?

I don't tell other people what to eat, but I think that my athletic performance and body speak just fine for me. I don't label my foods as clean or dirty. I just eat a diet that contains nutritional foods with a good macro balance and good micronutrient content, and I treat myself whenever I want without worrying whether something is "clean."

Why is it self-proclaimed clean eaters start threads to accuse people of criticizing them? Do they want to be criticized? I mean, if you don't start a thread seeking it, it is far less likely to happen. In the real world, stop telling other people how you eat and calling their food dirty and I'm pretty sure they will stop rolling their eyes at you and stop saying "oh, great. Another clean eater."

agreed

I don't. My friends at lunch all eat sandwiches crisps etc and were curious as to why I suddenly changed so much.
Why are you so quick to judge that I must be flaunting my awesome lifestyle? I don't exactly sit and go 'look kale I'm so clean and healthy'
No different is saying I eat 90% clean or whole foods to saying that you eat low carb, paleo, vegan etc.

OP, why does anyone even know how you eat? I eat food around people and they never ask, "what kind of diet do you follow?" Do you know why they don't ask? Because they don't give a crap. The only way people would know if I had certain dietary protocol is if I TOLD them. Stop telling people how "awesome" your personal dietary choices are and they'll stop commenting.

This thread is an excellent example of your perceived persecution. No one knew you were a "clean" eater until you started a thread about it and proclaimed it to the forums.

Additionally, this is one of the few diets where you can say, "I eat clean xx% of the time."

You can't say that if you're vegan, vegetarian, IIFYM, paleo, primal, gluten free, breathtarian, nutrarian and all the other diverse 'arians'. Because once you give a percentage, you're not really a vegan or vegetarian or (insert any other here) dieter anymore.

You eat clean 90% of the time? Okay, so you eat food 100% of the time. Big deal. You're not superior for your wishy washy dietary whims.



Why do people assign so much ego to the types of foods they eat?

Friends: Why aren't you eating the same things we are anymore?

You: I felt like eating this.

Friends: Okay.

I have a feeling you didn't handle that conversation in the above manner but instead took the opportunity to wax poetic about the virtues of your new way of life.

You get criticized because that's just the way people are. lol. Ask any vegetarian or vegan if they are criticized and they will tell you yes as well. People will criticize you for being different no matter what. Welcome to earth.

Hmmm, yeah I think a lot of people feel threatened by someone actually having healthy eating habits and so they say that they eat what they want and drink and smoke and never see a doctor and that i will die healthy while they are having all the fun. I normally say that it is the same as their driving without a seat belt and saying they have not died in an accident.

I dont buy any food with ingredients of which I dont know - no Es no artificial stuff no enhancers no flavourants, so ready made stuff, no mayo and no ketchup ( I make my own of tom paste, made own mayo before but alas too fattening lol)

Everything cooked from scratch - fruit veg and whole grains, if I buy meat - i buy cuts and make my own mince, no sweets, chips or anything in a 'packet'. I bake own bread too, when I can make preserves, etc.

I live in my comfort zone, I do things that make me happy, and I wont have some smoker telling me that I am a health freak, just because I eat and cook like my great grandma did.

ETA And NO the food lectures do not come from ME but from those who hate see someone order salad while they have a burger. I had someone of less perfect lifestyle brag how she tricked her vegetarian friend into eating meat. Apparently her friends wanting to live cruelty free did not let her sleep at night, cos SHE did not feel sorry for poor little lambs.

Yes you do get these aggressive junk eaters/smokers/drinkers who will treat you like $£$"&^ cos you dont want to eat takeaways. I respect their choices but they feel free to ridicule mine?