Looking for new friends who quit sugar/eat clean :)
Replies
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iamabeetle wrote: »I am no expert on clean eating as I have only been doing it for a few months but like all foods, everything in moderation and even though I consider myself as a clean eater, I have had a slice of pizza here and there in the past 3 months but I don't consider myself as an 'unclean eater' for doing so.
So like I keep saying, on the whole "clean eaters" and many of us who don't self define as "clean eaters" probably eat similarly. It just strikes me as a divisive term (if someone asks me if I'm a clean eater I think well, I mostly cook from scratch and have for ages and enjoy it, but I also eat tofu or pasta or use some protein powder or go out to a restaurant or whatever it is and assume I'd be dishonest in saying yes, and plus I feel like the term is inherently insulting to others and stigmatizes foods that are fine to include in a diet), but if your interest is in talking about nutrition or eating nutrition-conscious meals or cooking (mostly) from scratch, I imagine many of the rest of us would be interested (and we won't have to hash out what "clean eating" means!).
I haven't been logging over the past week or so, but I plan to start again tomorrow. I log at Cronometer because it's good for nutrients and I find it easier due to a less cluttered database. I do enjoy chatting about vegetables and fruit in the challenge I mentioned, and am always up for new meal inspirations.
Are there particular challenges in meal planning or the like that you face?
I get a farm box in season (late spring to around Thanksgiving) and having to use that up is a fun challenge for me. I tend to have a slightly harder time getting inspired in my cooking in winter, although I am playing with my new instant pot lately.2 -
RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »
No they don't.
Other than potassium they contain almost no vitamins and minerals.
White sugar (100g)
1.0 mg calcium
2.0 mg potassium
0.6 mcg selenium
1.0 mcg fluoride
Honey (100g)
0.3g protein
0.5 mg vitamin c
0.1 mg niacin
2.0 mcg folate
0.1 mg pantothenic acid
2.2 mg choline
1.7 mg betaine
6.0 mg calcium
0.4 mg iron
2.0 mg magnesium
4.0 mg phosphorus
52.0 mg potassium
4.0 mg sodium
0.2 mg zinc
0.1 mg maganese
0.8 mcg selenium
8.0 mcg fluoride
Is it a good source of anything? Not really. Is it a better source than white sugar? Absolutely.
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/sweets/5592/2
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/sweets/5568/2
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Who consumes 100 grams of either at one sitting? Or even in one day?4
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I am so late to this thread, but as someone who previously swore by Whole 30 and Paleo on and off for a couple of years, and is still sitting here at least 30 lbs too heavy, I can attest that no matter how clean (insert definition) your diet is, if your goal is to lose weight, what matters more is portion size, calories and eating in a way that you will be ok with for ever and ever. I read all the Melissa Hartwig books and thought i could "tame my sugar dragon" by eliminating added sugar. I thought if i never ate a grains or dairy again, I would magically not have to count calories, my hormones would regulate and i would just live the happy, carefree life, frolicking on a beach or in a meadow (visualize any tampon commercial).
For me, the ugly truth is that it was really tough for me to actually keep that up forever. Life would inevitably happen, and because i demonized all the "bad" foods, i would feel guilty over it and then be like "screw it". In addition, the best thing i learned about that time is that I can overeat "clean" foods as much as "unclean". I (my husband) also spent way too long in the kitchen cooking these fancy homemade meals, which got very old and tiring. We also developed severe food boredom. how many ways can you eat a sweet potato?
Now, i am back on MFP, hopefully gonna get this 30 lbs or so off the old fashioned way. Watching my portions/calories, exercising, and allowing myself to eat a varied diet of all types of foods. Obviously everyone is wired differently, this is just my experience.
Good Luck!
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Feel free to add me. I cut out most added sugar, and went on a plant based diet at the beginning of jan. Not 100% perfect but it currently works for me.
Edit: skim read this thread, but as usual on MFP if you say you’re doing anything that’s considered “extreme” a bunch of people want to weigh in and tell you CICO is the only way to do something. Yes, it is technically, but if you’re wanting to improve your overall health this way is great as well. As the saying goes.... you do you.11 -
See the post above yours - these things seem to work, for a while.louisepaul16 wrote: »Feel free to add me. I cut out most added sugar, and went on a plant based diet at the beginning of jan. Not 100% perfect but it currently works for me.
If you read the thread more thoroughly, you'll see that nobody really denies that overall nutrition is important. CICO is not a way to do anything, it's the process behind any weight gain, loss or maintenance. "Clean eating" is not even necessarily doing anything extreme - when asked for clarification, it's usually very similar to diets that people who don't claim to "eat clean", have. But it's not necessarily a healthy diet, because it's more about restricting foods than adding variety, and the mentality that comes with it, makes for an unhealthy relationship with food.Edit: skim read this thread, but as usual on MFP if you say you’re doing anything that’s considered “extreme” a bunch of people want to weigh in and tell you CICO is the only way to do something. Yes, it is technically, but if you’re wanting to improve your overall health this way is great as well. As the saying goes.... you do you.
I think we all are saying "you do you" - but some of us feel that it implies to figure out what you want and need, not just jump on each and every fad.4 -
I gave up sugar and grains last month. Since doing so my depression cleared up and I lost my saddlebags lol. For me, it works, but totally understand why people would have no interest in it. I do it because I just feel better6
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louisepaul16 wrote: »Feel free to add me. I cut out most added sugar, and went on a plant based diet at the beginning of jan. Not 100% perfect but it currently works for me.
Edit: skim read this thread, but as usual on MFP if you say you’re doing anything that’s considered “extreme” a bunch of people want to weigh in and tell you CICO is the only way to do something. Yes, it is technically, but if you’re wanting to improve your overall health this way is great as well. As the saying goes.... you do you.
CICO is the only way weight loss occurs.
Can you please point out some posts where people disregard nutrition or do not advocate for eating a balanced, healthful diet? Since you said this is typical that a bunch of people will weigh in, it shouldn't be hard to find those examples. I'm genuinely curious because I have participated in countless threads like this where someone comes in and interprets the posts that way - but I just don't see that. Maybe if you could pull up a couple of examples from this thread that we could review it would be easier to understand the disconnect.
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I think the reason some of us (mostly veterans of MFP that has been here before, learned from their mistakes and moved on) think the CLEAN EATING movement is garbage is the fact that it's not sustainable. And if you are here for weight loss, it's all Calories In, Calories Out. Doesn't matter where those calories come from, if you eat too many, you gain. If you eat at a deficient you lose.
I've been doing this "losing/maintaining" stuff since 2011 and I've learned a ton from these forums and the very reasonable people posting. When I started I thought you had to cut out all processed foods and eat "clean" too. That's a result of media, magazines, and etc. You read stuff, you think it has to be true and then you try it. You do it for a few weeks, you are proud of yourself that you hung on that long...THEN you go to birthday party and your favorite cake is there, staring you in the face. Cake, oh goodness, that's like the holy grail of bad. But it tastes so good, and you want some. Everyone else is doing it. But you lasted 3 full weeks without "processed junk" and if you eat it you'll gain. Guess what? If you eat it, and skip the 2 glasses of red wine at dinner (you know that booze that everyone says it good for you), it will all balance out. Your body really isn't that smart. Sugar is sugar and it's all processed the same. If it comes from cake, fruit, wine, honey, agave, etc.
Now, I'm not telling you to live on a diet of McDonalds Quarter Pounders and cake. I'm telling you there needs to be a balance. I like the 80-20 rule. 80% of the things I eat are good for my body (lean protein, omega 3 fatty acids, veggies, fruit, etc), and 20% may be questionable (sugar, carbs, wine etc). You know why? You CAN'T go your whole life being rigid and still live a happy, no guilt life. I know I couldn't have lasted this long without wine, beer, cookies, bread, diet coke and pasta. I'd be in the fetal position crying on the floor every day. And this isn't just about getting the weight off. It's about keeping it off and finding balance.
OP, good luck to you. I hope your plan works. But if it doesn't, we'll be here to be the voice of reason.3 -
moosmum1972 wrote: »all4eternity125 wrote: »JerSchmare wrote: »Clean eating isn’t really a thing. I’m afraid this might be a lonely thread.
Don't say that! Here, I'm a clean eater! Religiously count macros and calories, no processed food, no sugar and I workout 6x a week.
iamabeetle and everyone else, I would love to share recipes and experience, motivate each other daily
I checked out your diary....processed foods and sugars aplenty. Unless there is a Nutella tree no one told me about.
Oooh Nutella. ..
Food of the gods. ...
But seriously no.processed no sugar.....someone fibbing.
A couple of days ago, poster had Arby's. You can't get more processed than that.2 -
kommodevaran wrote: »If you read the thread more thoroughly, you'll see that nobody really denies that overall nutrition is important. CICO is not a way to do anything, it's the process behind any weight gain, loss or maintenance. "Clean eating" is not even necessarily doing anything extreme - when asked for clarification, it's usually very similar to diets that people who don't claim to "eat clean", have. But it's not necessarily a healthy diet, because it's more about restricting foods than adding variety, and the mentality that comes with it, makes for an unhealthy relationship with food.
I was going to respond, but you already said what I would.
This whole "if you don't eat clean you don't care about nutrition" is an infuriating strawman, but it's not coming from OP. It's not her fault that in a false belief that they are defending her that others (sadly) need to make such silly claims and ignore what's actually been said in the thread.
My reading is that OP wants to talk about nutrition and ideas for eating healthfully and so on, which is why I'm here (and why I think a lot of us who don't self identify as eating clean could contribute).
OP, I do think your approach to eating in reality may well be much like mine and kommodevaran's and others's, so I'm interested in what you find fun and what you find difficult or challenging and what you want ideas on.4 -
In the last 4 months I have probably been doing what you and others have been doing for years.
I eat a lot of vegetables, natural yogurt and fish.
I'm finding it fun to try new things. The 'brand name' that I am using is called 'Healthy Mummy' and there are lots of recipes and things like that which I enjoy accessing. I am doing well with my meal planning (there are 5 of us who live in the household) but need to get better at meal prep to save time. I'm looking at increasing my protein (that's my challenge this week) and I do find it challenging to curb my cravings (sorry for TMI but mainly during that time of the month) but I am doing an AMAZING job with what I am doing.
Like I said in the beginning, it's the only thing that has worked for me. I have lost 23.1kg (50.02lb) in 4 months and I am enjoying my life again. I did my first Parkrun today (5km/3.1 miles) and did so well. Things that I never thought I would enjoy doing, I am embracing.
I am looking at having surgery soon. I have 20kg (44lb) of loose skin that hangs below my bellybutton that gets in my way. I am hoping to have that done this year (I need to save lots of money or rob a bank!). This will help my mobility. Life is great and I am finally enjoying living for the first time in a long time.13 -
fuzzylop72 wrote: »RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »
No they don't.
Other than potassium they contain almost no vitamins and minerals.
White sugar (100g)
1.0 mg calcium
2.0 mg potassium
0.6 mcg selenium
1.0 mcg fluoride
Honey (100g)
0.3g protein
0.5 mg vitamin c
0.1 mg niacin
2.0 mcg folate
0.1 mg pantothenic acid
2.2 mg choline
1.7 mg betaine
6.0 mg calcium
0.4 mg iron
2.0 mg magnesium
4.0 mg phosphorus
52.0 mg potassium
4.0 mg sodium
0.2 mg zinc
0.1 mg maganese
0.8 mcg selenium
8.0 mcg fluoride
Is it a good source of anything? Not really. Is it a better source than white sugar? Absolutely.
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/sweets/5592/2
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/sweets/5568/2
You have a weird definition of "better".3 -
I did a clean eating "challenge" a couple of years ago for the month of February. I learned a great deal about all the fake food I was eating. Though I normally try to eat healthy on a regular basis, I started this again for the month of March to get myself back on an even better eating routine and to branch out to a wider variety of food. Good luck in your adventure iamabeetle!!3
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I'm doing a clean eating detox on Monday. Eliminate dairy, gluten, sugar, processed, non-organic, foods for 30 days. It sounds like something to try and I've been feeling pretty bad lately from eating so much junk food and processed foods. OP, you can add me!12
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Fitness begins with being leaner. So many people complain that they don’t understand why they can’t loose weight or why their overweight, when they say they eat healthy. I guess they probably mean they don’t eat lots of sugary snacks or snacks filled with lots of oils. Deductive reasonings would lead me to believe then that they overeat these so called clean foods. These are people I know personally. Like family, so I saw their eating habits. I came to the conclusion that they simply over eat their allotted calories for the day.1
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iamabeetle wrote: »In the last 4 months I have probably been doing what you and others have been doing for years.
I eat a lot of vegetables, natural yogurt and fish.
I'm finding it fun to try new things. The 'brand name' that I am using is called 'Healthy Mummy' and there are lots of recipes and things like that which I enjoy accessing. I am doing well with my meal planning (there are 5 of us who live in the household) but need to get better at meal prep to save time. I'm looking at increasing my protein (that's my challenge this week) and I do find it challenging to curb my cravings (sorry for TMI but mainly during that time of the month) but I am doing an AMAZING job with what I am doing.
Like I said in the beginning, it's the only thing that has worked for me. I have lost 23.1kg (50.02lb) in 4 months and I am enjoying my life again. I did my first Parkrun today (5km/3.1 miles) and did so well. Things that I never thought I would enjoy doing, I am embracing.
I am looking at having surgery soon. I have 20kg (44lb) of loose skin that hangs below my bellybutton that gets in my way. I am hoping to have that done this year (I need to save lots of money or rob a bank!). This will help my mobility. Life is great and I am finally enjoying living for the first time in a long time.
Thanks for checking back in. I'm glad you're seeing success! Hopefully more people will read to the end of the thread instead of rehashing the same two-month-old arguments
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Hey! I eat "clean" and cut out a lot of the sugar & spicy food from my diet because of rosacea (type 2: papulopustular). I eat the same thing everyday (because it is so delicious) and I only "cheat" on Friday afternoons. Add me & I'll message you what I eat because I document it all. I usually hit 1500 calories a day and I try my best to eatan equal amount of protein & carbs(here is my grocery list: honey graham crackers, unsweetened almond milk, Special K Pastry crisps, Chex Mix, turkey bacon, egg whites, olive oil, tuna, scallion, olive oil mayo, mustard, chicken, bread crumbs, asparagus, peppers, cucumbers, lemon, garlic, hummus, almond, cranberries, raspberries, mangos, blueberries and tonsss of water)8
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I don't understand we are getting woo-ed for saying we want to eat in a way that does not consist of processed foods? Please tell me what is so "woo" about that? Just because you choose to not eat organic or Non-GMO, that's fine, but don't attack the people who want to. OP, there is a Clean Eating Group you can join. Posting in the "ordinary" forum will get you attacked.4
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I don't understand we are getting woo-ed for saying we want to eat in a way that does not consist of processed foods? Please tell me what is so "woo" about that? Just because you choose to not eat organic or Non-GMO, that's fine, but don't attack the people who want to. OP, there is a Clean Eating Group you can join. Posting in the "ordinary" forum will get you attacked.
Because 99.9% of people who say they don't eat processed foods do eat processed foods. @kokonani you only eat raw fruits and vegetables? Just think it's hilarious how some posters are holier than thou and go on about how they eat clean and don't eat processed food but when you look in their food diary it is full of processed stuff.6 -
ijustsaidthat wrote: »Hey! I eat "clean" and cut out a lot of the sugar & spicy food from my diet because of rosacea (type 2: papulopustular). I eat the same thing everyday (because it is so delicious) and I only "cheat" on Friday afternoons. Add me & I'll message you what I eat because I document it all. I usually hit 1500 calories a day and I try my best to eatan equal amount of protein & carbs(here is my grocery list: honey graham crackers, unsweetened almond milk, Special K Pastry crisps, Chex Mix, turkey bacon, egg whites, olive oil, tuna, scallion, olive oil mayo, mustard, chicken, bread crumbs, asparagus, peppers, cucumbers, lemon, garlic, hummus, almond, cranberries, raspberries, mangos, blueberries and tonsss of water)
I don’t care for the term clean eating because it’s vague and subjective and your grocery list is the perfect example of that. Whatever definition you’re following, I have no idea how you can consider graham crackers, special k pastry crisps, Chex mix, and turkey bacon as “clean”.
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MarianMarMoi wrote: »The conversation that's going on will probably scare other like-minded people away from this thread, which is a bit of a shame. I would've loved to come in contact with more people who are interested in eating this way.
If facts are going to scare people away, then we have a real problem. As a diabetic, I can't just magically add maple syrup instead of brown sugar because it is somehow a better option FOR ANYBODY.1 -
singingflutelady wrote: »I don't understand we are getting woo-ed for saying we want to eat in a way that does not consist of processed foods? Please tell me what is so "woo" about that? Just because you choose to not eat organic or Non-GMO, that's fine, but don't attack the people who want to. OP, there is a Clean Eating Group you can join. Posting in the "ordinary" forum will get you attacked.
Because 99.9% of people who say they don't eat processed foods do eat processed foods. @kokonani you only eat raw fruits and vegetables? Just think it's hilarious how some posters are holier than thou and go on about how they eat clean and don't eat processed food but when you look in their food diary it is full of processed stuff.
I think (again) that the disconnect is due to semantics. I don't always eat "clean"...I don't even use that term. I do say that I like to limit my processed foods (limit, not eliminate).
From a technical standpoint, almost every single item in a grocery store is "processed"...romaine hearts in a bag, greens cut off carrot tops etc. I however do not consider these to be processed foods.
For me (generally speaking of course) processed foods are in the inner aisles of the supermarket (not always...and there are minimally processed foods there too...oats etc).
If I pick up food box and look at the ingredients and see 15-30 ingredients, I consider that processed.
I'm not trying to force this idea on anyone...this is just the definition that I personally go by. I like to limit/reduce my processed foods and "try" to eat minimally/non processed foods. No one is perfect, but it's what I try and achieve.6 -
Feel free to add me.
I am on month 3 of eating whole food plant based 'diet' (its a lifestyle now)
yes it's different from being a vegan but similiar aspects
I eat the fruits and vegetables that come from my garden in my own backyard
I post pictures often and am always looking to inspire others to go WFPB!
I'm down 20lbs
30lbs to go!
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iamabeetle wrote: »In the last 4 months I have probably been doing what you and others have been doing for years.
I eat a lot of vegetables, natural yogurt and fish.
I'm finding it fun to try new things. The 'brand name' that I am using is called 'Healthy Mummy' and there are lots of recipes and things like that which I enjoy accessing. I am doing well with my meal planning (there are 5 of us who live in the household) but need to get better at meal prep to save time. I'm looking at increasing my protein (that's my challenge this week) and I do find it challenging to curb my cravings (sorry for TMI but mainly during that time of the month) but I am doing an AMAZING job with what I am doing.
Like I said in the beginning, it's the only thing that has worked for me. I have lost 23.1kg (50.02lb) in 4 months and I am enjoying my life again. I did my first Parkrun today (5km/3.1 miles) and did so well. Things that I never thought I would enjoy doing, I am embracing.
I am looking at having surgery soon. I have 20kg (44lb) of loose skin that hangs below my bellybutton that gets in my way. I am hoping to have that done this year (I need to save lots of money or rob a bank!). This will help my mobility. Life is great and I am finally enjoying living for the first time in a long time.
Hi.
I’m new to the site and, to be totally honest, have found some of the comments on this thread hilarious in the way people have reacted.
Way to go for your clean eating/living. I take my hat off to you. I’m interested in losing weight and as and when I find a recipe I like I will definitely share it with you.
I live in Italy so everything here is covered in olive oil, so as long as you don’t have a problem with that, I’m sure I can find you some good stuff to eat.
Keep on the road your on, it’s obviously working, and well done on the run.3 -
iamabeetle wrote: »In the last 4 months I have probably been doing what you and others have been doing for years.
I eat a lot of vegetables, natural yogurt and fish.
I'm finding it fun to try new things. The 'brand name' that I am using is called 'Healthy Mummy' and there are lots of recipes and things like that which I enjoy accessing. I am doing well with my meal planning (there are 5 of us who live in the household) but need to get better at meal prep to save time. I'm looking at increasing my protein (that's my challenge this week) and I do find it challenging to curb my cravings (sorry for TMI but mainly during that time of the month) but I am doing an AMAZING job with what I am doing.
Like I said in the beginning, it's the only thing that has worked for me. I have lost 23.1kg (50.02lb) in 4 months and I am enjoying my life again. I did my first Parkrun today (5km/3.1 miles) and did so well. Things that I never thought I would enjoy doing, I am embracing.
I am looking at having surgery soon. I have 20kg (44lb) of loose skin that hangs below my bellybutton that gets in my way. I am hoping to have that done this year (I need to save lots of money or rob a bank!). This will help my mobility. Life is great and I am finally enjoying living for the first time in a long time.
Hi.
I’m new to the site and, to be totally honest, have found some of the comments on this thread hilarious in the way people have reacted.
Way to go for your clean eating/living. I take my hat off to you. I’m interested in losing weight and as and when I find a recipe I like I will definitely share it with you.
I live in Italy so everything here is covered in olive oil, so as long as you don’t have a problem with that, I’m sure I can find you some good stuff to eat.
Keep on the road your on, it’s obviously working, and well done on the run.
Is it just as hilarious how the ones you find hilarious are the ones who are successful? People keep falling for the same stupid crap over and over and then complain that it is not their fault. It is processed food? Sugar? Fat? The government? Or maybe Garfield the cat made them fat? Yeah, that's it.
Don't be gullible. Your health and your pocket book with thank you.3 -
iamabeetle wrote: »In the last 4 months I have probably been doing what you and others have been doing for years.
I eat a lot of vegetables, natural yogurt and fish.
I'm finding it fun to try new things. The 'brand name' that I am using is called 'Healthy Mummy' and there are lots of recipes and things like that which I enjoy accessing. I am doing well with my meal planning (there are 5 of us who live in the household) but need to get better at meal prep to save time. I'm looking at increasing my protein (that's my challenge this week) and I do find it challenging to curb my cravings (sorry for TMI but mainly during that time of the month) but I am doing an AMAZING job with what I am doing.
Like I said in the beginning, it's the only thing that has worked for me. I have lost 23.1kg (50.02lb) in 4 months and I am enjoying my life again. I did my first Parkrun today (5km/3.1 miles) and did so well. Things that I never thought I would enjoy doing, I am embracing.
I am looking at having surgery soon. I have 20kg (44lb) of loose skin that hangs below my bellybutton that gets in my way. I am hoping to have that done this year (I need to save lots of money or rob a bank!). This will help my mobility. Life is great and I am finally enjoying living for the first time in a long time.
Hi.
I’m new to the site and, to be totally honest, have found some of the comments on this thread hilarious in the way people have reacted.
Way to go for your clean eating/living. I take my hat off to you. I’m interested in losing weight and as and when I find a recipe I like I will definitely share it with you.
I live in Italy so everything here is covered in olive oil, so as long as you don’t have a problem with that, I’m sure I can find you some good stuff to eat.
Keep on the road your on, it’s obviously working, and well done on the run.
Is it just as hilarious how the ones you find hilarious are the ones who are successful? People keep falling for the same stupid crap over and over and then complain that it is not their fault. It is processed food? Sugar? Fat? The government? Or maybe Garfield the cat made them fat? Yeah, that's it.
Don't be gullible. Your health and your pocket book with thank you.
I think I found the fervour of some people a little over the top. My intention was not to offend. We all know what our own personal pitfalls are, but this site is supposed to support and encourage, or so I thought - not criticise or be superior. Just my opinion.
Well done to everybody who is managing to lose/gain/maintain weight, for those who need to, and eating healthily in the process.
I look forward to reading more2 -
iamabeetle wrote: »In the last 4 months I have probably been doing what you and others have been doing for years.
I eat a lot of vegetables, natural yogurt and fish.
I'm finding it fun to try new things. The 'brand name' that I am using is called 'Healthy Mummy' and there are lots of recipes and things like that which I enjoy accessing. I am doing well with my meal planning (there are 5 of us who live in the household) but need to get better at meal prep to save time. I'm looking at increasing my protein (that's my challenge this week) and I do find it challenging to curb my cravings (sorry for TMI but mainly during that time of the month) but I am doing an AMAZING job with what I am doing.
Like I said in the beginning, it's the only thing that has worked for me. I have lost 23.1kg (50.02lb) in 4 months and I am enjoying my life again. I did my first Parkrun today (5km/3.1 miles) and did so well. Things that I never thought I would enjoy doing, I am embracing.
I am looking at having surgery soon. I have 20kg (44lb) of loose skin that hangs below my bellybutton that gets in my way. I am hoping to have that done this year (I need to save lots of money or rob a bank!). This will help my mobility. Life is great and I am finally enjoying living for the first time in a long time.
It sounds like you've made great progress.
I see you're working on increasing protein. The thread below was a great help to me in identifying calorie-efficient protein foods I enjoy, that might not otherwise have occurred to me.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10247171/carbs-and-fats-are-cheap-heres-a-guide-to-getting-your-proteins-worth-fiber-also
Lemurcat12 mentioned the 10 veggie/fruit per day challenge. That's had a couple of active rounds, is in a bit of lull now, but may be worth reading for ideas/tips/cautions, and I'm sure some of the regulars would reply to new posts. That's here:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10521320/10-a-day-800g-veggie-fruit-challenge-participants-check-in
Now, I'll risk a word of background on the mini-controversy about terminology and methods.
Many (not all) of the self-labeled "clean eaters" say they have been at it for a couple of months now, and are seeing great benefits from improved nutrition. That's a wonderful thing! It's easy to let an evangelical tone creep in, at that stage, and for other readers to find it that tone off-putting.
On the flip side, many of those who may seem "anti clean eating" are people who've been using MFP for literally years, who themselves have successfully lost weight here, and are now in weight maintenance/fitness improvement mode. They're truly trying to help. It's common - not universal - to see "new eating religion" posts from people who soon struggle, or don't last. If your new way of eating is perfect for you, that won't be you, but in the overall population of new MFPers, it's sadly common. The "old hands" have probably tried milder argumentation (on others) and are now at a bit of desperation to stop new people from leaping off that same cliff. (Some of the "old hands" have themselves lept off that cliff, before finding a different path to success.) So, they want to help, but may come across as strident or angry, after having been through this dialog dozens, maybe hundreds, of times.
Me, I'm a 43-year vegetarian (age 62), got fat then obese eating lots (lots!
) of home-prepared whole foods, stayed obese for decades that way, became very active (even competing regularly as an athlete) while obese, yet had high cholesterol/high blood pressure and other major obesity-correlated health issues while bring active and eating whole foods.
When I came to MFP and started counting calories, I lost about a third of my body weight, becoming a thin, active vegetarian rather than an obese one. I didn't much change what I ate, but did change portions and proportions. I didn't much chsnge workout routine. With that body weight change, my cholesterol levels became solidly normal, and my blood pressure low normal. I've had people on MFP who see my diary call me a "clean eater", but that's a term I personally don't like to use, as it's so poorly defined as to be meaningless. I do like the occasional gooey dessert or craft beer, regularly put "added sugar" (blackstrap molasses) in my oatmeal, and eat "processed foods" like cheese and black-bean chips! I'm taking my first significant break from logging right now, at the start of year 3 maintaining a healthy weight.
MFP is a great tool, and there's lots of good info in the forums. A bit of sometimes-messy dialectic is part of what keeps forum content on a mostly sound scientific basis, so thick skin can be a help at times!
Congratulations on all you've achieved so far, and best wishes for continued excellent progress!3
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