Ready for cleaner eating???

elimar105
elimar105 Posts: 11 Member
edited November 28 in Getting Started
I've been an avid exerciser my entire life, just recently embraced staying within daily caloric intake goals, and am ready to try cleaner eating, i.e. unprocessed foods. Right now my day isn't complete without a serving of PB2 OR my favorite sugar-free coffee creamer. Anyone want to join me on this journey?

Replies

  • seska422
    seska422 Posts: 3,217 Member
    No, but I hope it works for you if that's what you want to do!
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    You may find some on here, best wishes :)
  • Tblackdogs
    Tblackdogs Posts: 326 Member
    Why exactly?
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    What's wrong with a bit of pb2 or coffee creamer, if that's what you enjoy and the rest of your day has lots of nutritious food?
  • elimar105
    elimar105 Posts: 11 Member
    Thank you all for your responses! Tblackdogs I,for over a month now and am looking for ways to improve my eating
  • elimar105
    elimar105 Posts: 11 Member
    Oops my hands are quicker than my head...
  • Tblackdogs
    Tblackdogs Posts: 326 Member
    One of the best ways for most of us is to eat more vegetables, drink fewer sugary drinks and try to eat sensible portions.
  • elimar105
    elimar105 Posts: 11 Member
    For the past month I've been teetering between the same 4-5 pounds which could be due to the holidays, but as of today I am 15 pounds to my goal weight and it's getting harder to see the scale go down. Perhaps cleaning up my eating may help? Livingleanlivingclean, I agree!!! I've heard that it's the journey that is more important, not the destination.
  • elimar105
    elimar105 Posts: 11 Member
    Thanks Tblackdogs!
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    eebrahim11 wrote: »
    For the past month I've been teetering between the same 4-5 pounds which could be due to the holidays, but as of today I am 15 pounds to my goal weight and it's getting harder to see the scale go down. Perhaps cleaning up my eating may help? Livingleanlivingclean, I agree!!! I've heard that it's the journey that is more important, not the destination.

    If your losses have stalled, maybe review your logging to see if you can tighten it up somewhere. It is common for most stalls to be the result of complacency in logging practices. Are you using a food scale for all solids? There is a big difference in portion sizes between eyeballing and weighing foods. Measuring cups are often inaccurate as well. Additionally, if you have been losing, the number of daily calories will decrease as your weight decreases. Have you adjusted your goals along the way?

    I just hate to see people giving up things they love when it isn't really necessary. Best of luck figuring it out.
  • elimar105
    elimar105 Posts: 11 Member
    Thanks nutmegoreo! I try to track every bite, lick, and taste but I know that it is still a weakness of mine because it's SO easy for me to round out the servings. Yes, I am also using iTrackbites which is similar to WW and it will decrease daily points (caloric intake) as the weight decreases. Good there. Don't worry, I am NOT going to give up because this is a way of life for me. Thanks again!
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    eebrahim11 wrote: »
    Thanks nutmegoreo! I try to track every bite, lick, and taste but I know that it is still a weakness of mine because it's SO easy for me to round out the servings. Yes, I am also using iTrackbites which is similar to WW and it will decrease daily points (caloric intake) as the weight decreases. Good there. Don't worry, I am NOT going to give up because this is a way of life for me. Thanks again!

    Awesome! Sounds like you have a plan :smile:
  • elimar105
    elimar105 Posts: 11 Member
    That's the plan!
  • MyBoyG
    MyBoyG Posts: 104 Member
    Check water intake and exercise and up it, if need be. Sometimes stalls happen when people eat the same things week after week. Mix it up, add a new food each week, etc.
  • elimar105
    elimar105 Posts: 11 Member
    Yes!!! Not even looking at my tracker this past week, I pretty much had the same thing for breakfast and lunch every day!!! Thanks!!!
  • lyssa1210
    lyssa1210 Posts: 96 Member
    I am starting over worth clean eating after being off and on MFP (mainly in) for 3 years. I would like supportive friends to help lose 30 lbs. I am an almost empty nester! Please add me if you can.
  • elimar105
    elimar105 Posts: 11 Member
    Hi lyssa1210!
    Yes I will add you if I can figure it out! Thanks!!!
  • 1mom22boyz
    1mom22boyz Posts: 12 Member
    Hi lyssa1210 and eebrahim11! I'm going to you add you ladies! I have similar goals to you lyssa. I hope to hear from you!
  • 1stgardengirl
    1stgardengirl Posts: 34 Member
    edited January 2016
    @eebrahim11, Eating cleaner IS the way to go. You have the right idea. I started this journey in late August, 2015, at 230 lbs and am currently at 176, with a goal of 140 lbs. I credit consistent clean eating and exercise for my loss. Processed foods are junk with little or no nutritional value. When you are limiting your calories, why waste them on junk? They definitely make you feel more hungry and are usually more calorie dense. Yes, it is ok to have a splurge now and then, but it's not good to depend on eating processed foods daily. I haven't felt this good in many years, since starting to eat "clean." I have also gone gluten free, as I have Hashimotos hypothyroid disease (an autoimmune underactive thyroid disease) that may make a person's body react negatively to gluten. While this has been personally beneficial to me - it is specific to a person with that type of condition. Everyone doesn't necessarily need to go gluten free. You don't have to eat the same things every day to eat clean. There are so many fresh alternatives. Sometime it is good to have a fallback breakfast or dinner for those times when you are in a hurry, but you might want to have three or four "fallback" breakfasts or dinners just to shake things up. Lots of water is important to your plan, as others have mentioned. Good luck with everything!
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    @eebrahim11, Eating cleaner IS the way to go. You have the right idea. I started this journey in late August, 2015, at 230 lbs and am currently at 176, with a goal of 140 lbs. I credit consistent clean eating and exercise for my loss. Processed foods are junk with little or no nutritional value. When you are limiting your calories, why waste them on junk? They definitely make you feel more hungry and are usually more calorie dense. Yes, it is ok to have a splurge now and then, but try not to depend on eating processed foods daily. Clean eating includes good proteins (small portions of grass fed beef, free range chicken, cage free eggs, Greek yogurt, nuts, real cheese, not the processed crud, etc.), organic vegetables, fruits, steel cut oats, a bit of steamed brown rice, etc. I am 64 years old and haven't felt this good in many years! I have also gone gluten free, as I have Hashimotos hypothyroid disease (an autoimmune underactive thyroid disease) that may make a person's body react negatively to gluten. While this has been personally beneficial to me - it is specific to a person with that type of condition. Everyone doesn't necessarily need to go gluten free. You don't have to eat the same things every day. You'll find so many fresh alternatives. Sometime it is good to have a fallback breakfast for those times when you are in a hurry, but you might want to have three or four "fallback" breakfasts just to shake things up. Lots of water is important to your plan, as others have mentioned. Good luck with everything!

    I'm glad you've found something that is working for you. Can I ask, what is unprocessed cheese? Doesn't all cheese require some type of processing to become cheese?
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    @eebrahim11, Eating cleaner IS the way to go. You have the right idea. I started this journey in late August, 2015, at 230 lbs and am currently at 176, with a goal of 140 lbs. I credit consistent clean eating and exercise for my loss. Processed foods are junk with little or no nutritional value. When you are limiting your calories, why waste them on junk? They definitely make you feel more hungry and are usually more calorie dense. Yes, it is ok to have a splurge now and then, but try not to depend on eating processed foods daily. Clean eating includes good proteins (small portions of grass fed beef, free range chicken, cage free eggs, Greek yogurt, nuts, real cheese, not the processed crud, etc.), organic vegetables, fruits, steel cut oats, a bit of steamed brown rice, etc. I am 64 years old and haven't felt this good in many years! I have also gone gluten free, as I have Hashimotos hypothyroid disease (an autoimmune underactive thyroid disease) that may make a person's body react negatively to gluten. While this has been personally beneficial to me - it is specific to a person with that type of condition. Everyone doesn't necessarily need to go gluten free. You don't have to eat the same things every day. You'll find so many fresh alternatives. Sometime it is good to have a fallback breakfast for those times when you are in a hurry, but you might want to have three or four "fallback" breakfasts just to shake things up. Lots of water is important to your plan, as others have mentioned. Good luck with everything!

    I'm glad you've found something that is working for you. Can I ask, what is unprocessed cheese? Doesn't all cheese require some type of processing to become cheese?

    She could possibly have access to milking cows.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    @eebrahim11, Eating cleaner IS the way to go. You have the right idea. I started this journey in late August, 2015, at 230 lbs and am currently at 176, with a goal of 140 lbs. I credit consistent clean eating and exercise for my loss. Processed foods are junk with little or no nutritional value. When you are limiting your calories, why waste them on junk? They definitely make you feel more hungry and are usually more calorie dense. Yes, it is ok to have a splurge now and then, but try not to depend on eating processed foods daily. Clean eating includes good proteins (small portions of grass fed beef, free range chicken, cage free eggs, Greek yogurt, nuts, real cheese, not the processed crud, etc.), organic vegetables, fruits, steel cut oats, a bit of steamed brown rice, etc. I am 64 years old and haven't felt this good in many years! I have also gone gluten free, as I have Hashimotos hypothyroid disease (an autoimmune underactive thyroid disease) that may make a person's body react negatively to gluten. While this has been personally beneficial to me - it is specific to a person with that type of condition. Everyone doesn't necessarily need to go gluten free. You don't have to eat the same things every day. You'll find so many fresh alternatives. Sometime it is good to have a fallback breakfast for those times when you are in a hurry, but you might want to have three or four "fallback" breakfasts just to shake things up. Lots of water is important to your plan, as others have mentioned. Good luck with everything!

    I'm glad you've found something that is working for you. Can I ask, what is unprocessed cheese? Doesn't all cheese require some type of processing to become cheese?

    She could possibly have access to milking cows.

    Sure, but doesn't the process of milk to cheese require processing? Adding bacteria and stuff? I don't know, I'm not a cheese manufacturer, I just know I like it and it fits my goals, so win!
  • sparrish531
    sparrish531 Posts: 499 Member
    I am with you! Began growing vegetables using the square foot garden method, eating a majority of our veggies from there, bartering some for pasture raised poultry and eggs. I am trying to use more foods that do not have an ingredient list and eat lower on the food chain.
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    @eebrahim11, Eating cleaner IS the way to go. You have the right idea. I started this journey in late August, 2015, at 230 lbs and am currently at 176, with a goal of 140 lbs. I credit consistent clean eating and exercise for my loss. Processed foods are junk with little or no nutritional value. When you are limiting your calories, why waste them on junk? They definitely make you feel more hungry and are usually more calorie dense. Yes, it is ok to have a splurge now and then, but try not to depend on eating processed foods daily. Clean eating includes good proteins (small portions of grass fed beef, free range chicken, cage free eggs, Greek yogurt, nuts, real cheese, not the processed crud, etc.), organic vegetables, fruits, steel cut oats, a bit of steamed brown rice, etc. I am 64 years old and haven't felt this good in many years! I have also gone gluten free, as I have Hashimotos hypothyroid disease (an autoimmune underactive thyroid disease) that may make a person's body react negatively to gluten. While this has been personally beneficial to me - it is specific to a person with that type of condition. Everyone doesn't necessarily need to go gluten free. You don't have to eat the same things every day. You'll find so many fresh alternatives. Sometime it is good to have a fallback breakfast for those times when you are in a hurry, but you might want to have three or four "fallback" breakfasts just to shake things up. Lots of water is important to your plan, as others have mentioned. Good luck with everything!

    I'm glad you've found something that is working for you. Can I ask, what is unprocessed cheese? Doesn't all cheese require some type of processing to become cheese?

    She could possibly have access to milking cows.

    Sure, but doesn't the process of milk to cheese require processing? Adding bacteria and stuff? I don't know, I'm not a cheese manufacturer, I just know I like it and it fits my goals, so win!

    Yep, you're right. NVM
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    @eebrahim11, Eating cleaner IS the way to go. You have the right idea. I started this journey in late August, 2015, at 230 lbs and am currently at 176, with a goal of 140 lbs. I credit consistent clean eating and exercise for my loss. Processed foods are junk with little or no nutritional value. When you are limiting your calories, why waste them on junk? They definitely make you feel more hungry and are usually more calorie dense. Yes, it is ok to have a splurge now and then, but try not to depend on eating processed foods daily. Clean eating includes good proteins (small portions of grass fed beef, free range chicken, cage free eggs, Greek yogurt, nuts, real cheese, not the processed crud, etc.), organic vegetables, fruits, steel cut oats, a bit of steamed brown rice, etc. I am 64 years old and haven't felt this good in many years! I have also gone gluten free, as I have Hashimotos hypothyroid disease (an autoimmune underactive thyroid disease) that may make a person's body react negatively to gluten. While this has been personally beneficial to me - it is specific to a person with that type of condition. Everyone doesn't necessarily need to go gluten free. You don't have to eat the same things every day. You'll find so many fresh alternatives. Sometime it is good to have a fallback breakfast for those times when you are in a hurry, but you might want to have three or four "fallback" breakfasts just to shake things up. Lots of water is important to your plan, as others have mentioned. Good luck with everything!

    I'm glad you've found something that is working for you. Can I ask, what is unprocessed cheese? Doesn't all cheese require some type of processing to become cheese?

    She could possibly have access to milking cows.

    Sure, but doesn't the process of milk to cheese require processing? Adding bacteria and stuff? I don't know, I'm not a cheese manufacturer, I just know I like it and it fits my goals, so win!

    Yep, you're right. NVM

    :kissing_heart:
  • elimar105
    elimar105 Posts: 11 Member
    Sorry I've been MIA for a bit--busy week. Love all these ideas! I am going to start with eating at least one clean meal (no processed foods) each day. I'll post my meal each day to be held accountable on this thread. Thanks guys!!!!
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited January 2016
    I find this post interesting. For starters eating "clean" means different different thing to most. Let me throw in a joke here, there is no dirty food...LOL Food is food.

    Someone along clean eating lines is going to have something or even a lot of things processed, For example, creamer for my coffee, deli meat, frozen chicken breast, cheese, bread, frozen berries, ice cream, yogurt, etc. etc.. All if these things comes in a package (tub, bag, or maybe wrapped in plastic). These have all been processed to keep in the freezer, shelf or ridge.

    I would like to hope that most every one who chooses to eat healthier (did not say clean) does lean toward buying all fresh fruits and veggies when available or more important in season. Fresh is not always the solution as it goes bad pretty quickly. Those on a budget would find this drastically horrible to the wallet.

    I buy a lot frozen vegetables because fresh does not last long in the fridge and if I do not plan to use it in the couple of days after I buy it, it gets wasted and thrown away.

    I am back to eating a deficit and I eat tons and I do mean a lot of veggies, fruits, lean meats, every single day and think I have my diet pretty well dialed in, but I still buy things frozen, packaged and even things that come in plastic bags or a tub where it has gone through something to preserve it. In the winter time where I live trying to find a decent zucchini that does not look like it has been lost on the truck for months is hard...

    My three cents worth, as this eating clean thing does mean a lot of different things to other people, I guess you could say I did throw out the poptarts but I still replaced with a yummy cereal that comes in a box, packaged and processed to sit on my shelf.

    Best of luck..

  • JessiBelleW
    JessiBelleW Posts: 831 Member
    I am very much a 'clean eater' but by circumstance rather than it being my specific goal. I still eat diary, which is processed but its currently organic (I live in an organic household and have no control over the shopping). My aims are to eat a decent breakfast (usually eggs yogurt, sometimes some fruit or half an avocado) and a veggie heavy lunch and dinner with a protein. I do this because I love veggies, and because it sets me up for weightloss with out hunger!
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    If it helps you stick to your calorie defecit that's great

    If you're still not losing after 6 weeks of accurately weighing and logging your foods then you may need to adjust your calories downwards (or increase your activity / exercise) to ensure you are still in defecit

    Types of food are important for nutritional health but once you have met macro and micro nutrient targets there's minimal added benefit .. personally I choose not to restrict by types of food but only because that's what works for me

    good luck
  • lulalacroix
    lulalacroix Posts: 1,082 Member
    I am all for eating healthier, but this "clean eating" thing kind of makes me crazy. So clean eating means eating unprocessed foods right? So that means pasteurized milk is out because it's been processed, and I don't know about most of you, but getting raw milk here can be really difficult in the US. It means yogurt is out, even the very healthy one I make at home that only has two ingredients, because it has also been processed. So wouldn't "clean eating" just mean eating fruit and veg just picked and nothing else?

    I'm really not trying to be a jerk. But I honestly just don't get it.
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