A simple definition for "clean eating"

[Dani53]

I know this is a silly question, but I have my ideas and want to make certain I am right...or if I am way off base. Could someone give me a "clean" and simple idea of what clean eating means? Is there a website, or an official diet plan that futher defines this? Can I ever eat chocolate again:-(

 

[RhiannonW]

I'm sure you will get more precise and in depth explanations than mine here, but the following is what I've discovered for myself, so far. I'm always open and ready to listen to this topic!
Clean eating is hard. It's a lifestyle change. It takes discipline and determination. I also believe if a person can stick to something new for 21 days it becomes easier. I know you know all that....
I've lost body fat by cutting down my sugar intake. I had no idea 'diet' and 'good-for-you' things(fruits especially) could contain so much sugar! I've also began forcing myself to eat some green vegetables every day. I've added cashews and cubed cheese to my snack list, instead of so much fruit, non-fat-sugary yogurt and high carb pretzels. I don't consider myself disciplined at clean eating, but cutting down sugar intake is my step 1. I've seen some results just by doing these few changes. I still eat chocolate(cookies and cake) when I simply don't have willpower, but for some reason I don't even want chocolate candy anymore. For me, clean eating is a brute force habit I'm trying to pick up.
I hope this info helps a little.

 

[ColleenM]

The key is finding what works for you, your lifestyle and your goals. I follow BFL and am getting great results. I eat clean 6 days of the week and eat what I want 1 day a week (free day and I mean free). But I am strict as can be the other 6 days.

Colleen

 

[DebbieH]

RE: A simple definition for "clean eating&...

Dani~I remember Cathe describing "CLEAN" as:

Clean: Apple Pie :9 :9 :9
Cleaner: Applesauce :9 :9
Cleanest: Apples :9

Or, something to that effect. (I added the hungry guys! ;-)) In other words: the more processed or unnatural, the LESS clean it is. Hope I got this right!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!

 

[Dani53]

RE: A simple definition for "clean eating"

I think your idea and mine are fairly similar. Basically, I try to avoid white flour and rice, as well as sugar. I don't cut the carbs so radically as to avoid whole grain bread if I need to. My doctor said that grains are really important and to include them somewhere. I also try to limit sugar, but like you said, it is in the darndest things, things you consider healthy. Obviously it is in fruit, but it is summer, and summer is short where I live. Not to mention we have horrible produce as a norm, so in summer the Farmers Market is here, and I will jump on any good quality fruit I can.

I was just wondering if I am missing the boat somewhere with the whole clean eating definition, and am I sabatoging my efforts with some unknown evil.

 

[dutchgirl]

I don't think that there is one defintion for what 'clean eating' means. Every diet or eating plan has its' own version of clean. For example, the Zone (which is what my own eating most closely resembles) says that clean eating is balancing protein/carbs/fats in a 40/30/30 ratio and that you should seek the 'best' sources in each of these categories in your daily food intake. For protein, 4 ounces of lean chicken breast is a 'best' source, 4 ounces lean ground beef is a 'good' source, and 4 ounces of hot dog is a 'poor choice'. In his book he gives ratings for tons of protein, carbohydrate, and fat choices.

For me personally I think that the closer you can get to how the food exists naturally the closer you are to eating clean. Sauteed mushrooms don't exist in nature, raw mushrooms do (although sauteed with some butter and garlic, YUMMY). And I loved the apple analogy by another poster. So the more you can eat foods in their natural state, the closer you are to 'clean'. The more the food becomes cooked, processed, or otherwise manipulated the less 'clean' it is.

Just my thoughts,
Sabine

 

[Aquajock]

Clean eating is where you take all your meals in the shower, and/or you throw a bar of soap in the refrigerator.

A-jock
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[gogigi]

RE: A simple definition for "clean eating"

Tee hee...I like A-jock's definition of clean eating!:7

 

[Jane P]

RE: A simple definition for "clean eating"

The World Health Organization says that you can allow 10% of your calories from sugar, but no more than that. When they say this they exclude fruits and complex carbohydrates etc. They mean the refined stuff. That means you could have your chocolate if your diet is other wise "clean". I think if you try to get too strict, it just backfires in the end.

 

[kathryn]

RE: A simple definition for "clean eating&...

>Dani~I remember Cathe describing "CLEAN" as:
>
>Clean: Apple Pie :9 :9 :9
>Cleaner: Applesauce :9 :9
>Cleanest: Apples :9
>

I'd modify this a bit to begin with : Store-bought apple pie containg while flour, white sugar and saturated fat: unclean.

Home-made apple pie with unpeeled apples, whole grain flour, healthy vegetable oils, unprocessed natural sweeteners : more clean.

I think of "clean eating' also as eating unprocessed foods, avoiding most foods (if not all!) that are advertised on TV. Not eating or drinking "non=foods" like candy, sodas, that contain calories, but not much nutrition. I'd also put most "energy bars" and "meal replcement bars" in this category, as many contain a lot of added sugars (especially nasty is high-fructose corn syrup).

I don't think anyone can be 100 percent clean, 100 percent of the time, nor is it necessary. I think that eating 80-90 percent clean is a good goal.