Clean Eating Question
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mantium999 wrote: »It isn't as hard as it sounds and after you clean your body you lose a lot of the cravings for the foods you think you couldn't live without. 80/20 allows you to still indulge on occasion but you will want real foods more often. I was amazed at how much better real food tastes after you get rid of the junk.
What constitutes real and junk?
Real foods are just that grown foods natural meats unprocessed or very little processing since technically cooking your food is processing it. Junk is the stuff that comes in a package. That is my definition anyways yours may be different.
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mantium999 wrote: »It isn't as hard as it sounds and after you clean your body you lose a lot of the cravings for the foods you think you couldn't live without. 80/20 allows you to still indulge on occasion but you will want real foods more often. I was amazed at how much better real food tastes after you get rid of the junk.
What constitutes real and junk?
Real foods are just that grown foods natural meats unprocessed or very little processing since technically cooking your food is processing it. Junk is the stuff that comes in a package. That is my definition anyways yours may be different.
Milk comes in a package. Meat comes in packages. Yogurt and granola can be packaged; so can cherry tomatoes and grapes and whole grain bread...
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mantium999 wrote: »It isn't as hard as it sounds and after you clean your body you lose a lot of the cravings for the foods you think you couldn't live without. 80/20 allows you to still indulge on occasion but you will want real foods more often. I was amazed at how much better real food tastes after you get rid of the junk.
What constitutes real and junk?
Real foods are just that grown foods natural meats unprocessed or very little processing since technically cooking your food is processing it. Junk is the stuff that comes in a package. That is my definition anyways yours may be different.
Silly definition is silly
"Junk":
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ceoverturf wrote: »mantium999 wrote: »It isn't as hard as it sounds and after you clean your body you lose a lot of the cravings for the foods you think you couldn't live without. 80/20 allows you to still indulge on occasion but you will want real foods more often. I was amazed at how much better real food tastes after you get rid of the junk.
What constitutes real and junk?
Real foods are just that grown foods natural meats unprocessed or very little processing since technically cooking your food is processing it. Junk is the stuff that comes in a package. That is my definition anyways yours may be different.
Silly definition is silly
"Junk":
In for,
"You know what I meant"
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diannethegeek wrote: »Here on MFP I've seen clean eating defined in a few different ways. These have all been given as off-the-cuff answers when asked what clean eating is.
Nothing but minimally processed foods.
Absolutely no processed foods.
Shop only the outside of the grocery store.
Nothing out of a box, jar, or can.
Only food that's not in a box or hermetically sealed bag, or from e.g. McDonald's.
No take-out or junk food at all.
Nothing at all with a barcode.
Nothing with more than 5 ingredients.
Nothing with more than 4 ingredients.
Nothing with more than 3 ingredients.
Nothing with more than 1 ingredient.
No added preservatives.
No added chemicals.
No chemicals, preservatives, etc. at all.
No ingredients that you can't pronounce.
No ingredients that sound like they came out of a chemistry book.
Nothing that is processed and comes in a package or wrapper, or has any ingredient that sounds scientific.
Don't eat products that have a TV commercial.
Don't eat products that have a longer shelf life than you do.
No added sugar.
No added refined sugar.
Swap white sugar for brown.
No "white" foods.
Nothing but lean meats, fruits, and vegetables.
Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat!
Eat foods as close to their natural state as POSSIBLE, and little to no processed food.
Only meat from grass-fed animals and free-range chickens.
Only pesticide-free foods.
Nothing that causes your body bloat or inflammation.
No trigger foods, nothing from fast food chains, nothing in the junk food aisles, and no high gmo foods.
No red meat, no sweets, no pasta, no alcohol, no bread, no soda, nothing but fresh fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates and lean proteins.
No bad carbs and processed foods.
I like to note that, by some of those definitions, Fritos are a clean food.
As you can see, there are as many definitions of clean eating as there are clean eaters in the world. Clean eating seems to be a lot like pornography: people know it when they see it. Which makes it hard to define, hard to talk about, and hard to recommend as a lifestyle change for everyone. Find what works for you but don't expect it to work the same for everyone else. And when you're standing on the rooftop shouting about your new diet that works for you, don't be surprised when you look over and see someone just as loud on the next rooftop over shouting about a different plan.
I was looking for this list earlier. Last week a couple of people were posting this gem:
If it grows in the ground or had a mother, it is ok to eat it.
I wish I were joking.
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BabyPhat90713 wrote: »
I basically would define it as getting rid of all bad carbs and processed foods. Just stick with veggies, fruits, beans, and meat! Basically most of the food in the middle Section of grocery store is a no. It's pretty strict but I was looking up clean eating meals on pinterest and it doesn't look to bad. I think I could do it. I just no that I would occasionally want a cookie or potatoes lolIsaackGMOON wrote: »So, how do you guys define clean?
Don't give up anything you love. Just have less of it. Stay in a calorie deficit. Simple.0 -
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asflatasapancake wrote: »I definitely eat junk when getting stuff from the local gas station. I eat packaged hard boiled eggs, pineapple, and salads there all the time. Pure junk.
Well...you're doomed.
Been nice MFP'ing with ya...0 -
If you decide this is a method you want to use to facilitate your weight loss, that's great. The straight "if it fits your macros" some people aggressively back will work for everyone, if you can stick to it, but some people find it easier to reduce their overall caloric intake if they have a plan in place. I know if I ate a serving of chips and a serving of ice cream, it would use up my available calories/macros in a way that would leave me feeling hungry and deprived later in the day, because I wouldn't have enough carb macros left for some nutritious, filling vegetables!
I don't think you understand how IIFYM works. You wouldn't eat the chips and ice cream BEFORE you met your macros. Well, it doesn't matter what time you eat them, but you would plan your day first to incorporate your nutrient dense foods and make sure your macros have been hit, and then see if you have room for ice cream or chips. Which is why it is very unlikely that anyone who is successfully using IIFYM is actually "stuffing their face with ice cream and chips" as the OP said, because then, they would indeed throw off their macros.
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Technically, if I hull a strawberry from my garden and throw it in the freezer, I have processed it. That's not what is commonly meant by "processed foods" - when people use this term, they are generally referring to "convenience foods."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convenience_food
Convenience food, or tertiary processed food, is food that is commercially prepared (often through processing) to optimize ease of consumption. Such food is usually ready to eat without further preparation. It may also be easily portable, have a long shelf life, or offer a combination of such convenient traits. Although restaurant meals meet this definition, the term is seldom applied to them. Convenience foods include ready-to-eat dry goods, frozen foods such as TV dinners, shelf-stable foods, prepared mixes such as cake mix, and snack foods.
Bread, cheese, salted food and other prepared foods have been sold for thousands of years. Other kinds were developed with improvements in food technology. Types of convenience foods can vary by country and geographic region. Some convenience foods have received criticism due to concerns about nutritional content and how their packaging may increase solid waste in landfills. Various methods are used to reduce the unhealthy aspects of commercially produced food and fight childhood obesity.
Convenience food is commercially prepared for ease of consumption.[1] Products designated as convenience food are often sold as hot, ready-to-eat dishes; as room-temperature, shelf-stable products; or as refrigerated or frozen food products that require minimal preparation (typically just heating)[2] Convenience foods have also been described as foods that have been created to "make them more appealing to the consumer."[3] Convenience foods and restaurants are similar in that they save time.[4] They differ in that restaurant food is ready to eat, whilst convenience food usually requires rudimentary preparation. Both typically cost more money and less time compared to home cooking from scratch.[4]0 -
asflatasapancake wrote: »I definitely eat junk when getting stuff from the local gas station. I eat packaged hard boiled eggs, pineapple, and salads there all the time. Pure junk.
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lemurcat12 wrote: »I am not sure why we have to have names for the food that we eat...seems a bit silly to me. I have often wondered why we can't just eat what we want to eat and call it a day. However...
What someone wants to call their way of eating IMO is up to them...whether I understand it or not. I just think that...well nevermind what I think.
I think it's rude to claim that your way of eating is "cleaner" than others, and--perhaps more important--I think it can lead to distorted ideas about foods. There are reasons why I rarely eat potato chips (one of which is that the calories aren't worth it to me since I don't like them that much, but there are chips where I think the ingredients are better than other chips). However, none of that has to do with chips (or some chips) being "unclean." I don't think it's a useful way to characterize it and, again, rude.
It seems to me that the aggression on this forum tends to be from people who proclaim themselves "cleaner" than others (even though quite often what they seem to mean by that is that they don't eat stuff I never ate and they do eat the same processed foods I do, but just pretend they aren't processed for some reason). It's confusing and tends to make understanding more difficult. Yet they cling really hard to that term.
For me, the objection isn't to different eating styles--I think I'm on record as having my own eating quirks and as being quite open to the idea that things like low carb or paleo or vegan can work for others--it's to the claim that your own eating quirk is the One True Way or healthier than how others eat without any evidence of that, the claim that one must give up sugar or wheat or "processed foods" (even though no one does) or dairy or whatever to be healthy. It might work for individuals, sure, but it's not necessary or even a good thing for everything.
I never claimed the above. I have never claimed to eat clean nor that the food that I eat is any better than what someone else eats.
I understand that. I was speaking generally about why I object to the clean eating label, not accusing you of using it. Sorry if that was unclear--I know you aren't a self-proclaimed "clean eater."
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There is nothing wrong with eating clean. There is nothing wrong with asking about eating clean. You will get great results eating clean but keep in mind it's due to a calorie deficit. I eat chicken, eggs, yogurt, almonds and lots of salad. I don't label my lifestyle. I have a treat every now and then now that I have more control over my cravings. I find it hard to see that people are telling noobs ( sorry can't think of a better word) that eating chocolate and chips every day is ok. Sure in moderation it's fine. But as most of us here, we don't have "moderation" under control yet. This is only my second post on this forum. I read it a lot though. There is plenty of attacking going on. The same few people are like vultures flying in a circle waiting for the next unsuspecting victim to wander into their sites. Vultures that have the still bloodied flesh clasped between their claws from their last victim. Whew lol that was dramatic. You know what I mean. It saddens me to see a person who has more than 100 lbs to lose and make a post about how they have finally lost ten lbs. only to have their good feelings smashed by that person who says " good for you but sorry to say that was only water weight." Seriously, that's harsh. It's reality but harsh. Be nice people. We are all battling some of the same demons-1
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There is nothing wrong with eating clean. There is nothing wrong with asking about eating clean. You will get great results eating clean but keep in mind it's due to a calorie deficit. I eat chicken, eggs, yogurt, almonds and lots of salad. I don't label my lifestyle. I have a treat every now and then now that I have more control over my cravings. I find it hard to see that people are telling noobs ( sorry can't think of a better word) that eating chocolate and chips every day is ok. Sure in moderation it's fine. But as most of us here, we don't have "moderation" under control yet. This is only my second post on this forum. I read it a lot though. There is plenty of attacking going on. The same few people are like vultures flying in a circle waiting for the next unsuspecting victim to wander into their sites. Vultures that have the still bloodied flesh clasped between their claws from their last victim. Whew lol that was dramatic. You know what I mean. It saddens me to see a person who has more than 100 lbs to lose and make a post about how they have finally lost ten lbs. only to have their good feelings smashed by that person who says " good for you but sorry to say that was only water weight." Seriously, that's harsh. It's reality but harsh. Be nice people. We are all battling some of the same demons
You say "most of us" but I don't think that's quite the truth.0 -
There is nothing wrong with eating clean. There is nothing wrong with asking about eating clean. You will get great results eating clean but keep in mind it's due to a calorie deficit. I eat chicken, eggs, yogurt, almonds and lots of salad. I don't label my lifestyle. I have a treat every now and then now that I have more control over my cravings. I find it hard to see that people are telling noobs ( sorry can't think of a better word) that eating chocolate and chips every day is ok. Sure in moderation it's fine. But as most of us here, we don't have "moderation" under control yet. This is only my second post on this forum. I read it a lot though. There is plenty of attacking going on. The same few people are like vultures flying in a circle waiting for the next unsuspecting victim to wander into their sites. Vultures that have the still bloodied flesh clasped between their claws from their last victim. Whew lol that was dramatic. You know what I mean. It saddens me to see a person who has more than 100 lbs to lose and make a post about how they have finally lost ten lbs. only to have their good feelings smashed by that person who says " good for you but sorry to say that was only water weight." Seriously, that's harsh. It's reality but harsh. Be nice people. We are all battling some of the same demons
if you give people false hope and invalid encouragement (as in your example when someone loses 10 lb of water weight), then I can guarantee as soon as their weight loss slows down to a normal rate they will quickly become discouraged that their "miraculous" rate of weight loss has stopped, and lose hope, and maybe even give up completely
many of us do not do this with the intent of being hurtful but we want people to have the correct information so they can apply it to their lifestyle changes and actually succeed instead of continuing to fail and start over
we save the real mean-ness for the other people on here who have already had (at least some) success and then proceed to give out horrible advice to the new people who really need to hear the truth more than anything else0 -
Quietly adding "vultures that have the still bloodied flesh clasped between their claws from their last victim" to the list of names I've been called today on the forums.0
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diannethegeek wrote: »Quietly adding "vultures that have the still bloodied flesh clasped between their claws from their last victim" to the list of names I've been called today on the forums.
yeah, fresh meat wandering into your "sites" amirite0 -
There is nothing wrong with eating clean. There is nothing wrong with asking about eating clean. You will get great results eating clean but keep in mind it's due to a calorie deficit. I eat chicken, eggs, yogurt, almonds and lots of salad. I don't label my lifestyle. I have a treat every now and then now that I have more control over my cravings. I find it hard to see that people are telling noobs ( sorry can't think of a better word) that eating chocolate and chips every day is ok. Sure in moderation it's fine. But as most of us here, we don't have "moderation" under control yet. This is only my second post on this forum. I read it a lot though. There is plenty of attacking going on. The same few people are like vultures flying in a circle waiting for the next unsuspecting victim to wander into their sites. Vultures that have the still bloodied flesh clasped between their claws from their last victim. Whew lol that was dramatic. You know what I mean. It saddens me to see a person who has more than 100 lbs to lose and make a post about how they have finally lost ten lbs. only to have their good feelings smashed by that person who says " good for you but sorry to say that was only water weight." Seriously, that's harsh. It's reality but harsh. Be nice people. We are all battling some of the same demons
We never said eating chips every day was fine lol.
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There is nothing wrong with eating clean. There is nothing wrong with asking about eating clean. You will get great results eating clean but keep in mind it's due to a calorie deficit. I eat chicken, eggs, yogurt, almonds and lots of salad. I don't label my lifestyle. I have a treat every now and then now that I have more control over my cravings. I find it hard to see that people are telling noobs ( sorry can't think of a better word) that eating chocolate and chips every day is ok. Sure in moderation it's fine. But as most of us here, we don't have "moderation" under control yet. This is only my second post on this forum. I read it a lot though. There is plenty of attacking going on. The same few people are like vultures flying in a circle waiting for the next unsuspecting victim to wander into their sites. Vultures that have the still bloodied flesh clasped between their claws from their last victim. Whew lol that was dramatic. You know what I mean. It saddens me to see a person who has more than 100 lbs to lose and make a post about how they have finally lost ten lbs. only to have their good feelings smashed by that person who says " good for you but sorry to say that was only water weight." Seriously, that's harsh. It's reality but harsh. Be nice people. We are all battling some of the same demons
But what is the definition of "Clean" foods?
I eat cinnamon toast crunch cereal, will hit up Chipotle and have a 1000 calorie gut buster burrito bowl....
I had a Five Guys bacon cheeseburger along w/ small fries the other day......
Still have a 6-pack today......
And there is nothing wrong with informing a person that initial weight loss is probably just a result of water being vacated from the body.....so getting that initial weight loss done....people are likely to be confused why they are no longer losing 5 - 8 pounds every week.
I blame weight watchers and things like that for doing that crap, that is how they can make the guarantee they do....it is very fraudulent if you ask me. Losing 5 lbs of water is nothing.
Heck, 3 days ago I was 172 lbs, and today I was 168.....all because I limited my carbs over the past two days.
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diannethegeek wrote: »Quietly adding "vultures that have the still bloodied flesh clasped between their claws from their last victim" to the list of names I've been called today on the forums.
Whaaaaaaat???????
I cannot even.
Eta: Went back to find the post. Lol'd.0 -
diannethegeek wrote: »Quietly adding "vultures that have the still bloodied flesh clasped between their claws from their last victim" to the list of names I've been called today on the forums.
Whaaaaaaat???????
I cannot even.
haha she definitely gets points for the colorful imagery0 -
diannethegeek wrote: »Quietly adding "vultures that have the still bloodied flesh clasped between their claws from their last victim" to the list of names I've been called today on the forums.
That flesh is definitely not "clean" since vultures are typically carrion eaters.
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diannethegeek wrote: »Quietly adding "vultures that have the still bloodied flesh clasped between their claws from their last victim" to the list of names I've been called today on the forums.
What else is on that list? Surely nothing as visually striking as the vulture comparison...
(goes back to gnawing on bones of my last hapless victim)
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There is nothing wrong with eating clean. There is nothing wrong with asking about eating clean. You will get great results eating clean but keep in mind it's due to a calorie deficit. I eat chicken, eggs, yogurt, almonds and lots of salad. I don't label my lifestyle. I have a treat every now and then now that I have more control over my cravings. I find it hard to see that people are telling noobs ( sorry can't think of a better word) that eating chocolate and chips every day is ok. Sure in moderation it's fine. But as most of us here, we don't have "moderation" under control yet. This is only my second post on this forum. I read it a lot though. There is plenty of attacking going on. The same few people are like vultures flying in a circle waiting for the next unsuspecting victim to wander into their sites. Vultures that have the still bloodied flesh clasped between their claws from their last victim. Whew lol that was dramatic. You know what I mean. It saddens me to see a person who has more than 100 lbs to lose and make a post about how they have finally lost ten lbs. only to have their good feelings smashed by that person who says " good for you but sorry to say that was only water weight." Seriously, that's harsh. It's reality but harsh. Be nice people. We are all battling some of the same demons
This forum is flooded with the posts of people who lost 10 lbs the first week or two but now are "only" losing 1 lb per week and feel like a failure. And there are just as many in that situation who won't bother to post. They will just lose hope and quit. How is that "nicer" than understanding the simple science of how you lose weight and resetting your expectations??? The reason there is an obesity epidemic isn't because MFP posters are mean. One big reason (not the only one of course) is because most people are ignorant about weight loss and continually torture themselves with overly restrictive diets, fall short of their unrealistic expectations, and give up. They think it is easier to be overweight than to be healthy. Telling people they don't have to give up anything, just focus on the calorie goal, and make smarter choices to get there, is the nicest thing I can think of to tell newbies. Plus, it's the truth, for whatever that's worth.0 -
yo rza
yo razor
help me wit da flavor0 -
Honestly all of these replies are funny
I get it. Some people say they are feeling attacked and people just keep piling it on. I don't get it. I hate "diet" myths too. I'm sure there are plenty of threads to refer people to when they ask such questions. Might be a better way instead of rehashing things over and over 0 -
BabyPhat90713 wrote: »Ok so I'd really like to give this a go since my neighbor has been doing it. She has lost 15 pounds and 20 inches in 5 weeks. If I do this and get to goal could I slowly add in a few things I used to like as long as I stay at my maintaining calorie range? I'm just wondering if I'll ever be able to eat out again or enjoy things at holidays with the family. I just wouldn't want to lose it all just to gain it all back if I'd slip into old habits if I felt I was always depriving myself. I need to lose at least 80 pounds but my goal is 100. Suggestions, opinions, and advise wanted! Thank you.
Suggestion? Decide what "clean" means to you. It's very subjective here on MFP. Is your idea of eating clean incorporating more fruits and veggies with each meal? Cooking at home more? Shopping on the outer edge of the grocery store, and minimizing frozen or boxed snacks/meals?
Many people are going to recommend moderation, which is what it seems like you want to do (based on saying you want to eat out/enjoy holidays/add in things you like).
In my humble opinion, instead of locking yourself into a "clean" mindset, lock yourself into a "I'm going to use food as fuel, and incorporate treats to my intake, rather than have my intake dictated by them". Start making easy swaps; if you eat white bread, look into some whole grain or wheat bread. Like canned soup? Start making huge batches at home and freeze them. Like ice cream? Try out froyo. Bulk prep fruits and veggies for the week, so you can easily throw them into a lunch bag if you're on the go. Picking a day to meal prep and have several meals ready to go for the week is incredibly helpful as well to keep you on the wagon.
If you don't have one, get a food scale to help tighten up your logging and stay within your deficit. That will be a very helpful tool for you.0 -
Telling people they don't have to give up anything, just focus on the calorie goal, and make smarter choices to get there, is the nicest thing I can think of to tell newbies. Plus, it's the truth, for whatever that's worth.
I disagree that it's the truth. From the typical North American starting point of over-eating on SAD, it is not even remotely truthful to say they "don't have to give up anything" to meet a calorie deficit. They have to give up a LOT of food - because eating a LOT of food is where they're starting from.
Going from 2L of Coke a day to one glass of Coke a day is a *much* bigger step than going from one glass of Coke a day to none. And in fact going from 2L of Coke a day to none at all will be *much* easier for a large percentage of people than "only" reducing to a glass a day.
Let's just be honest about it - going from the SAD that got you fat to a long term caloric deficit means giving up a lot of things, either by significantly restricting, or completely eliminating.
Pretending otherwise doesn't help anybody, and causes a lot of grief for some.0 -
Honestly all of these replies are funny I get it. Some people say they are feeling attacked and people just keep piling it on. I don't get it. I hate "diet" myths too. I'm sure there are plenty of threads to refer people to when they ask such questions. Might be a better way instead of rehashing things over and over
a lot of people would prefer to do that but many threads here get locked or deleted (and the thread sticky functionality recently got broken in an "update") so it is difficult to point people to the right info. and so the same questions keep getting asked all of the time as well0
This discussion has been closed.
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