I felt the same way about the big boards. I'm trying to eat veggies, fruits, and lean proteins for the bulk on my diet. Carbs (as much as I love them) I'm staying away from at the moment. Apparently, that is not the "right way to lose and keep weight off" - but counting every calorie and staying within your allotted zone, is. Even if that means you are eating McDonalds and Dairy Queen. Just keep counting.

I'd rather eat as much as I want, of the right foods, and not worry about the calories. That way, the *occasional* slice of pizza or birthday cake, really wont be the end of the world anyway.

Congrats on the weight loss!! It sounds like you know your vices

Others just don't understand that. I rarely get involved in the main forums either for that very reason. I notice a huge difference in my training when I eat crap vs eating healthy. I still slip from time to time and eat a slice of pizza or whatnot but for the most part stay away from processed foods all together and no refined sugars.

I completely agree. I've seen a lot of stupid things on the main boards. My way of thinking is that when I make the effort to get all the nutrients I need from real food sources, I just don't have room for a lot of junk. I've personally found that I can eat a lot more healthy foods without gaining than I can junk food.

Welcome!! Sounds like you're making great progress. I've found the Clean Eating forum to be a great source of information and support.
I, too, love to cook and grew up with some excellent food cooked in mom and grandmom's kitchen.
Over the past 3 months, hubby and I have moved back to the basics. We are eating whole, fresh foods, modifying our favorite recipes to help with cravings, and counting calories.
We've found the quality of our food has made a huge difference in keeping us satisfied, even though we're limiting calories (1500). I think there's a lot to be said about the quality of nutrition. Yes, I could fit a Big Mac in my macros, but it would ultimately leave me craving more and unsatisfied.
Feel free to add me as a friend. My diary is open and I log daily.

tinascar2015 wrote: »

I hope this is where I'll feel more comfortable than on the main MFP boards. All the focus on fast food being okay, bacon-wrapped chocolate, so much emphasis on calories and not nutrition, delivered by nonprofessionals with snarky attitudes has driven me away.

I love clean eating, and by that, I mean lean proteins, healthy fats, lots of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, lots of water and minimal or no processed stuff. That is how my mom cooked and taught me to cook. I just got derailed when I grew up and discovered butter. And fast food. And convenience foods. And now in my (very youthful) early 60s, I have eaten my way into a mild case of diabetes and have 85 more pounds to lose. I've lost 16.4 in the last 8 weeks.

I fell off the wagon a few times, but I got right back up. Eating rich desserts in moderation isn't possible for me because I get compulsive and I'll binge. Eating cleanly is the only way I've ever been able to eliminate my craving for sugar completely.

So here I am. Am I in the right place? Because I realized in the wrong place today when I saw a very long thread debating whether a Big Mac was nutritious.

I feel the same way, and I'm glad I found this group. I'm by no means a strict clean eater, and I enjoy the occasional dessert or processed food every now and then; however, the main boards get ridiculous. It seems to only be about weight loss/weight gain on there with no attention paid to future health and trying to feel the best you can! How do you achieve better health and awesomeness? Just like you said: fresh fruits/vegetables, whole grains, and limiting the processed junk.

Seems like you found your way to the right group. We're pretty reasonable as a group. I keep an open diary and welcome friends who like to eat, cook and live closer to the land.

ewg.org. http://www.ewg.org/foodscores/products. Environmental Working Group

is a good website for evaluating the quality of processed foods organic or otherwise. Just downloaded report on pesticides in produce. You can find that on the home page.

Welcome to MFP and good job on the weight loss.

tinascar2015 wrote: »

I hope this is where I'll feel more comfortable than on the main MFP boards. All the focus on fast food being okay, bacon-wrapped chocolate, so much emphasis on calories and not nutrition, delivered by nonprofessionals with snarky attitudes has driven me away.

I love clean eating, and by that, I mean lean proteins, healthy fats, lots of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, lots of water and minimal or no processed stuff. That is how my mom cooked and taught me to cook. I just got derailed when I grew up and discovered butter. And fast food. And convenience foods. And now in my (very youthful) early 60s, I have eaten my way into a mild case of diabetes and have 85 more pounds to lose. I've lost 16.4 in the last 8 weeks.

I fell off the wagon a few times, but I got right back up. Eating rich desserts in moderation isn't possible for me because I get compulsive and I'll binge. Eating cleanly is the only way I've ever been able to eliminate my craving for sugar completely.

So here I am. Am I in the right place? Because I realized in the wrong place today when I saw a very long thread debating whether a Big Mac was nutritious.

Yep, with you there. Have been clean eating for 6 months and have drastically reduced the hunger mood swings! Plus I have no control and would rather work on the principle that I can't eat junk most of the time instead of attempting to fit it into my daily allowance.
I have a once a week cheat when I eat things like pizza or pudding but otherwise, I stick to protein,good fats (avocado, nuts,coconut oil), craploads of green veg and limited amounts of carbs like sweet potato and rice.

Welcome to the safe haven. Shhhh!

Why would you even want to eat Oreos when you can enjoy a bowl of natural yogurt with fresh blackberries and a handful of almonds.?

I've been using MFP for about 8 weeks now and have lost 19 lb (81 more to go).

I've learned a lot about where I was going wrong with food. Too much of it, of course, but also not enough protein to keep hunger at bay, and too much fat and sugar. My diet has improved, I'm no longer a slave to sugar, I plan my meals, and I'm enjoying cooking and eating again.

Let's all raise a glass of sparkling water to eating clean!

I totally get where you are coming from. I am trying to eat a 80%/20% paleo lifestyle while also counting calories. Focusing on the quality of my food most of the time but leaving some wiggle room to enjoy food with the family, going out, and the occasional SERIOUS cheat! Ha.

dbkle wrote: »

I just got into a huge argument today on the main boards because I said Oreos weren't healthy...

"prove it"
"just because they are less nutritious doesn't make them unhealthy"
etc.
etc.

I'm glad I found this place. Those people out there are ridiculous and will have a harder time reaching their goals.

When I read such stuff on the main boards, where people challenge me or others to " prove it ", I want to tell them to prove that Oreos are indeed healthy.
Except.....I no longer can be bothered to get into a discussion with people who only seem to enjoy to put others who want to eat healthier down and only want to prove that weight loss also can be achieved by eating a lot of crap and is the better choice, because it allows a person to still eat the " truly delicious " foods, disregarding health completely, or thinking that health is based on heavy lifting and nothing else.....and yes, I am happy that I can call it crap here and not being chastised for it.....:o).

nice 20 by the way

Ang108 wrote: »

dbkle wrote: »

I just got into a huge argument today on the main boards because I said Oreos weren't healthy...

"prove it"
"just because they are less nutritious doesn't make them unhealthy"
etc.
etc.

I'm glad I found this place. Those people out there are ridiculous and will have a harder time reaching their goals.

... and only want to prove that weight loss also can be achieved by eating a lot of crap and is the better choice, because it allows a person to still eat the " truly delicious " foods, disregarding health completely, or thinking that health is based on heavy lifting and nothing else.....and yes, I am happy that I can call it crap here and not being chastised for it.....:o).

Just to highlight another bit of your post. The problem is people seem to have forgotten what "truly delicious" means. Most people born since the 60's have grown up having two working parents, which also coincided with an eruption in processed convenience food. This food has always been so ridiculously overladen with salt, sugar and anything else to try to make that leathery piece of meat appealing, so people have adapted to "like" this kind of food.

I remember watching an episode of River Garden Cottage or something, it's a cooking series based upon a successful city guy who decided to move to the countryside and start growing and eating his own organic produce. He did exceedingly well and started various initiatives for other people to join in. In this one particular episode he had maybe 14 people, and he had two shepherd's pies... one was made by him, all fresh organic produce, made to his mother's recipe; the other one was a frozen cheap store bought one.

Only two people chose his pie as tasting better. The other one simply tasted more like what the majority were used to (laden with salt/sugar), and so they preferred that one.

Every so often I'll have a totally lazy day, I'll see something quick and easy that looks acceptable and I think "ok, lets give it a go". Every single time all I can taste is salt, pepper and garlic, and every single time I hate myself for being such an idiot.

Oh well. Rant over!