is 'clean' the way to go??

bikini1234
bikini1234 Posts: 35
in Food and Nutrition
Hey everyone I was just wondering if someone could shed some light on what 'clean' eating is I've heard it on here for a while and does it give better weightloss?? I doubt I eat clean and now I'm really worrying I won't lose weight as effectivly as I would if I was eating clean I still stick to 1300 cals a day and exercise an hour and a half 6 days a week will I still lose weight if I don't eat 'clean'?? Example today I ate: breakfast: 2 weetabix+sweetner,100 ml semi skim milk,boiled egg,1 slice toast +15g light butter. Lunch: 1 tortilla wrap+ham+salad, 1 granola bar. Dinner: weight watchers lasangne+ 200g mix vegetable, 2 slices small bread. Snack: 2 granola bars. Total: 1300 this is a typical day for me can I lose eating like this and staying with in my calorie allowance??

Replies

  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    People have different definitions of what "clean" means. Generally, it means eating real natural foods and not prepackaged stuff. Calorie deficits make you lose weight, not clean eating. You are not eating clean but it looks like you are eating in a calorie deficit so yes, you should lose weight by doing what you are doing. While I would argue eating clean is a much healthier diet than eating frozen diet dinners, it won't make you lose faster. It may make you feel better though if you currently eat a lot of foods with long ingredient lists.
  • DisneySkaGirl
    DisneySkaGirl Posts: 161
    bump
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    People have different definitions of what "clean" means. Generally, it means eating real natural foods and not prepackaged stuff. Calorie deficits make you lose weight, not clean eating. You are not eating clean but it looks like you are eating in a calorie deficit so yes, you should lose weight by doing what you are doing. While I would argue eating clean is a much healthier diet than eating frozen diet dinners, it won't make you lose faster. It may make you feel better though if you currently eat a lot of foods with long ingredient lists.

    I agree with this! ^

    I have never understood what "clean eating" means either, I presumed it meant no processed foods - AT ALL, but I could be wrong.

    Trouble is, everytime somebody mentions "only eat clean", I have visions of no longer being able to pick up my sandwich from the floor that I have just dropped.

    ::::::snicker::::::
  • kekl
    kekl Posts: 382 Member
    Weight loss is calories in vs. calories out - you can lose weight eating nothing but McDonalds aslong as you have the deficit. (You might not feel too good though)

    Eating clean is ideal but I will say MODERATION is key - you want to be eating foods that are good for you and foods that you enjoy and sometimes those two things don't overlap.

    I like the 80/20 approach.
  • bcampbell54
    bcampbell54 Posts: 932 Member
    Yeah, most of the "clean" eaters would hate your diet.
    Myself, I view it as a spectrum of eating choices, not a religion.
  • Articeluvsmemphis
    Articeluvsmemphis Posts: 1,987 Member
    gradually make changes you think are good for your overall health. you don't have to eat clean to lose weight. simply a fact.
  • atamrowski
    atamrowski Posts: 417 Member
    I agree. Sometimes it's hard to eat clean. I don't know about anyone else, but organic, natural foods in my neck of the foods is quite expensive. I do try to buy homegrown as much as possible. If I had to choose between organic milk for $5.00 a gallon or regular milk for $2.49, sorry but my wallet will go for what's cheap. Now that doesn't mean one can't eat "better". I feel making simple lifestyle changes is turnkey in weight-loss. Drink more water, take the stairs instead of the elevator, cut back on refined sugars and white flour. Stuff like that makes a difference.

    Weight loss is not a journey...it's a destination.
  • My1985Freckles
    My1985Freckles Posts: 1,039 Member
    I eat "clean" most of the time. Meaning that I minimalize my processed foods, but I do still go out. use salad dressings and marinades from time to time, eat pasta. But 95% of the time I cook my own food and use fresh fruits and veggies.

    No, it will not "help" your weight-loss, but it will make you healthier. For me this is all a lifestyle choice to be fit and healthy, and that to me means eating mostly "clean."
  • BrettPGH
    BrettPGH Posts: 4,716 Member
    I'd advise you to ignore the "unless you grew it yourself in your own back yard you're eating poison" crowd. I never take the advice of zealots and "clean eating" has a lot of those.

    Focus on calories, keep an eye on your macros and you'll be fine. As said above, moderation is a lot more important than clean eating. Have a cupcake every now and then. Learn to live and have a healthy relationship with food.

    vSee this ticker? I'm far from a "clean" eater.
  • VinaAnderson
    VinaAnderson Posts: 104
    Check out the book "Food Rules" by Michael Pollan.
  • 412HeavyLifter
    412HeavyLifter Posts: 170 Member
    To eat clean you must simply wash your hands before you eat
  • Articeluvsmemphis
    Articeluvsmemphis Posts: 1,987 Member
    To eat clean you must simply wash your hands before you eat

    you win!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Clean eating means eating foods as close to the way they are in nature as possible. For example, steel cut oats are more clean than rolled oats, rolled oats are more clean than oat flour. The less processed the food, the cleaner it is.

    Eating clean has more to do with health than with weight loss. You can lose weight eating only junk food if you eat little enough of it.
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    I try to eat as clean as possible. I believe I feel better in myself as well as feeling fuller. If I eat processed food I'm sooo hungry! I don't think it hurts to eat the odd processed food, but I do believe its better to stay away from sodium packed pre packaged foods. X
  • jenluvsushi
    jenluvsushi Posts: 933 Member
    Well people can argue all day long about calories in versus calories out....I do know this for myself, if I eat like crap (even in the right calorie deficit), I do not lose....it's probably from all the sodium but whatever. Also, if I eat junk, I tend to continue eating junk and go way out of my calorie range. I think eating clean doesn't have to mean no "pre-packaged food" totally....you can still eat old-fashioned oatmeal, sprouted bread, greek yogurt, etc. Just make good choices.....minimally processed foods, tons of fruits/veggies, lean meat without tons of sugary sauces and salty seasonings, etc......basically, shop outside isles at the store as much as possible.
  • My1985Freckles
    My1985Freckles Posts: 1,039 Member
    Clean eating means eating foods as close to the way they are in nature as possible. For example, steel cut oats are more clean than rolled oats, rolled oats are more clean than oat flour. The less processed the food, the cleaner it is.

    Eating clean has more to do with health than with weight loss. You can lose weight eating only junk food if you eat little enough of it.

    Okay, I take it back... My version of "clean" oatmeal is getting the old fashioned oats and adding cocoa roast almonds and coconut. It's "healthier" than the packs of instant and taste 100 times better! But, I guess it isn't exactly "clean"
  • lileas
    lileas Posts: 4
    Eating clean to me is, the closer you are to whole foods the better. But sometimes it's just hard to do that. I personally eat more fresh fruits & veggies and lean sirloin, more chicken and turkey. I'm on a goal to lose my last 10 lbs so I've switched by eating to a 50/30/20 ratio of protein, carbs & fats. I read an article the other day, in order for you body to lose the fat, you need to cut your carbs down so it forces the body to use the stored fat as energy. Friend me if you would like to talk more. Thanks and have a great day!

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