I need some clean eating friends!

Healthy eating = fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat, some grains (I say "some" because I tend to overeat those, so I limit what's available), a glass of wine, and dark chocolate every once in awhile.

Yeah, "clean eating" is a bit of a mixed bag. I'd say I eat 'clean' 80% of the time. Products I eat that don't quite qualify as clean:

Egg Beaters (processed)
Pretzels, crackers, bagged popcorn, lower calorie snack items (processed)
The occasional chocolate bar (if it fits in my day)
Cereal (I LOVE CEREAL, won't give it up)
Alcohol (I've limited it, but I still drink it)
Fully cooked Turkey Sausage (yep, all kinds of processed)
Salad Dressings (Bolthouse makes amazing ones, btw, still not clean)
Flavored Coffee Creamer

So, even though I feel like I have a healthy eating plan (limit fried foods, limit sugar, eat lots of lean meat and veggies, etc), I still eat things that Paleo's would cringe over. I never even tried to conform to a "plan" (like Whole30, Paleo, etc) because I know that some of the items that I feel made my lower calorie diet work for me aren't "clean".

What I suggest to you is, go on Pintrest, type "Low Calorie High Protein Meal Ideas". Trust me, you'll get a ton. And if the ingredients are a bit weird (something you don't want to invest money in), skip it. Think about what you eat at Asian and Mexican restaurants and try and make healthier versions at home. Think of your favorite food and try and figure out a way to make it healthier.

mom2kateRH wrote: »

You can add me! In general, I try and avoid the term "clean eating," because it is so loaded (you may have stirred a pot here....). but I do try and eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies, and make most of my meals from scratch.

I do this too. Specifically making every meal about half vegetables, at least 8-10 servings per day, and some fruit too on most days. I also focus on getting in a particular level of protein, and healthy sources of fat, like nuts and avocado and olives and fatty fish.

(I don't call it clean eating, to me it's just nutritionally-conscious eating and what I enjoy.)

kommodevaran wrote: »

I think you will have a better chance of finding likeminded people if you describe your preferred style of eating. "Clean eating" tends to just trigger food fights.

I mean, unless you just go join the Clean Eating group...

OliveGirl128 wrote: »

HardcoreP0rk wrote: »

kommodevaran wrote: »

I think you will have a better chance of finding likeminded people if you describe your preferred style of eating. "Clean eating" tends to just trigger food fights.

I mean, unless you just go join the Clean Eating group...

I'm part of that group and there's no set definition there of what 'cleane' eating actually means either....

Are you? I think I am, but I never read it, since I always imagine people are being holier than thou. But I know you aren't (you're cool!).

I'm kind of a self-hating clean eater, although really I just hate the term and think no one really does eat all non processed so everyone who claims to eat "clean" is lying.