Organic always comes to mind when I hear "Eat Clean."
I agree too with the avoidance of processed foods, but that is just not usually an option for my lifestyle. I know I feel better when I have simple meals made of simple foods. My son also like the simple strait forward vegetables and basic grilled or baked meats too. Cheesy, cracker topped casseroles made from condensed soups aren't a hit at my house. (Except the special occasion Broccoli casserole.) Unfortunately, freezer food and meals make the menu alot when when we travel for work.
When I say that I eat "clean", I mean that 90% or better of the foods that I eat are natural, and wholesome, nutrient rich and unprocessed.
But honestly, it didn't originally come from the fact that I didn't want to put "that" stuff in me. It came from the fact that when I started counting calories that I NEEDED to get the very most from each and every precious calorie. I needed volume, staying power, vitamins and reduction of cravings. And processed foods does NOT provide that. Whole, natural, unprocessed foods DO.
Last edited by rockinrobin; 02-06-2009 at 04:23 PM.
When I say that I eat "clean", I mean that 90% or betterof the foods that I eat are natural, and wholesome, nutrient rich and unprocessed.
But honestly, it didn't originally come from the fact that I didn't want to put "that" stuff in me. It came from the fact that when I started counting calories that I NEEDED to get the very most from each and every precious calorie. I needed volume, staying power, vitamins and reduction of cravings. And processed foods does NOT provide that. Whole, natural, unprocessed foods DO.
I couldn't have said it better myself This is how I view eating clean as well.
I guess I owe an apology. Although I responded to the question as to what Clean Eating means to ME, and also commented on the religious definition (as was already brought up) and then again talked about how I take that as MY personal belief..............and even followed up with a "(sorry if I offended anyone)" I still managed to offend someone. Not my intention AT ALL, and certainly not my style to preach at anyone...........
Everyone have a great weekend, eating clean or eating dirty......I imagine mine will be somewhere in the middle!
I think, Redflame, that anytime you comment on religion and have to follow it with a "sorry if I offended anyone" you probably know that someones going to be offended It's such a touchy subject for so many.
Not eating an over amount of..
greasy- most "normal made" pizza
fatty- fast food
high bad sugar content foods- Cake, most desserts depending on how its made, most ice cream, debbie cakes etc
I think I oversimplified it a bit compared to some of yall's answers.
i guess i'm like most, i refer to 'eating clean' as eating foods that are real (chicken, fresh fruit, broccoli, salad, etc.), as opposed to processed crap like 100-cal packs and frozen dinners.
..I agree--most of my foods (90% +) are whole foods. I have my crutches though--nonfat cooking spray, 5 calorie margarine, fat-free miracle whip, sugar-free Starbucks syrup, an occasional soda to go with my pizza Friday's. I choose them because they are plain and simply more filling than trying to find something processed for the same calories.
When I was on another forum several years ago when I lost the weight I am now trying to lose again (hooray!) we used eating clean to mean staying 100% strictly on the plan you'd chosen and not eating anything off the plan--so for me when I was on Atkins it meant no other off plan foods.
I rather like these ideas here better though of eating good healthy unprocessed food. I try to eat very healthy and stay on my plan (low carb but not totally Atkins) and when I do that carefully (what we called eating clean) I definitely lose weight..
fiber, I'd agree that regular boca burgers are definitely processed. There are some veggie burgers that are just veggies and they are technically still processed although all the ingredients are things you could normally buy. I make my own 'fake meat' and although all the ingredients are pretty normal, I still don't really consider it a whole food. I only eat 'fake meat' occasionally though.
This is how I view eating clean as well.
Not my intention AT ALL, and certainly not my style to preach at anyone...........
It's such a touchy subject for so many.
