Clean Eating & Muscle Definition?

[sparrow]

Hi Ladies,

I have a question about clean eating that I hope does not make me sound like a moron. I understand that clean eating- and healthy eating - are essential for heart health, digestion health, peak performance, etc. What I don't understand is what clean eating has to do with muscle definition in specific. Techincally, if I am lean and keeping my calories in check, but not eating purely clean, shouldn't that be enough for developing good definition, if I'm lifting heavy enough? Take my arms for example. They are solid, strong, no fat, and with visible definition. I want more definition though. How will eating clean help facilitate that?

I should probably add that this question is not meant to be snarky or a challenge to any one else's beliefs or practices. I'm genuinely wondering.

Sparrow


Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage

 

[Mckmain]

Sparrow, you are far from a moron!!! I can understand your question completely. For me personally, clean eating became important as I advanced into my 40's. I can remember my 20's and I could eat anything and still get results and not worry about weight gain. But that got a bit harder as I aged. I realize this could very well be genetics. I know I have friends that still eat what they want, barely workout and have great definition!! (yes, I hate them.....). So it comes down to how you feel about yourself. You seem to be happy about your body. Clean eating seems to be mentioned when someone is struggling for results and is having a hard time...at least that is my take......Carole

 

[kathryn]

> For me personally, clean eating became
>important as I advanced into my 40's. I can remember my 20's
>and I could eat anything and still get results and not worry
>about weight gain. But that got a bit harder as I aged.

I agree!

When I look back, I'm amazed at what I could eat and not gain weight on when I was younger!

As for clean eating and muscle definition. I think clean eating (a term I personally don't like, and am starting to hate, actually!) does more for your insides than for your outsides (though it would lead to better skin, IMO). Muscle definition is a combo of gaining muscle through hard work with enough recovery (including nutrition that supports the repair and growth of muscle) and reduction of fat (though a negative calorie balance, burning more calories than you ingest through activity, your basal metabolism, the thermic effect of food ---metabolism gets a bump every time you eat).

Maybe 'clean' foods can give you a better quality of muscle? One this is sure, whatever 'uncleán' foods one eats, leaves less room for clean foods, so it's all about choices. And the body craves nutrients that are found in whole foods (the term I prefer, because that's my definition of 'clean'foods) and not just the calories found in many processed foods that are nutrient poor.