Eating Clean - Do you do it?

[GotLabradors]

Mostly. I'll get my kids a happy meal or we get greasy pizza every now and again.

My kids love those nights!

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Clean eating is more then just about weight loss. The idea is you are eliminating chemicals an additives that are bad for you and your body does not need. Clean eating does not mean giving up grains although Paleo people do eat clean. Everybody needs to make the choice as to what is good for their body. I'm not perfect with my clean eating. However, if you don't see what you are eating in nature you might want to avoid it. Food companies pay large amounts of money to discover exactly the right amount of what chemicals, salt and sugar to add to foods to get people to crave eating it.

"Everyone needs to make the choice as to what is good for their body" - AMEN! What is clean for me may not work for someone else. A year before going gluten free, I gave up my diet coke habit. I honestly am not sure which had a better impact on my health. I try my hardest to rid my life of chemicals. Didn't happen overnight but slowly changed out personal.hygiene products and cleaning supplies. It amazes me now how awful some of my old favorite cleaning supplies smell now....instant headache.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Clean eating is more then just about weight loss. The idea is you are eliminating chemicals an additives that are bad for you and your body does not need. Clean eating does not mean giving up grains although Paleo people do eat clean. Everybody needs to make the choice as to what is good for their body. I'm not perfect with my clean eating. However, if you don't see what you are eating in nature you might want to avoid it. Food companies pay large amounts of money to discover exactly the right amount of what chemicals, salt and sugar to add to foods to get people to crave eating it.

"Everyone needs to make the choice as to what is good for their body" - AMEN! What is clean for me may not work for someone else. A year before going gluten free, I gave up my diet coke habit. I honestly am not sure which had a better impact on my health. I try my hardest to rid my life of chemicals. Didn't happen overnight but slowly changed out personal.hygiene products and cleaning supplies. It amazes me now how awful some of my old favorite cleaning supplies smell now....instant headache.

 

[Dancind]

Odd double post, sorry.

My doctor was fine to hear about my diet and told me she thinks I'm brave. That's because I'm not taking estrogen reducing meds after BC, but also because I'm managing pain from an autoimmune condition this way. She's taking meds for both, and one caused the pain, the other increases the risk of recurrence. Makes me sad, she's a very nice lady.

Oh, and my cholesterol levels are "excellent". My risk ratio is a couple of points below the "normal" range. Hasn't always been this way.

 

[Chikabowa]

I think you should tell them! If they hear it often enough, they might believe it.

I agree!
Maybe I have progressive docs? But both my general practitioner and my endocrinologist were thrilled when I told them I switched to paleo. I actually just saw my GP today for a physical and he said I was the type of patient that made his career worth it! Anyway all my docs have mentioned to me that they love the changes I've made and have no concerns about my health or nutrition... Every lab is textbook perfect!

 

[DisneyPeanut]

I get you know. Misunderstood at first. Totally agree I must be eating at a deficit to lose. Thing is I have know clue what it is b/c I don't count. And best part I'm not hungry all the time and don't have energy crashes. For my body, fat is not evil. I eat tons of eggs, coconut oil, grass fed beef, nuts, avocados, and even bacon now and then. I also eat loads of veggies and a do not eat any grains. Staying away from sugar even supposedly good for you whole grains has been the key to my success. I do believe that what works for one may not work for all. Pretty sure I'm going to throw away my.scale too. I don't need it to tell me how I'm.doing.

May I ask what book you are using?? Is it one by tosca Rena?

 

[practicallyperfect77]

May I ask what book you are using?? Is it one by tosca Rena?

I read It Starts With Food by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig. I love to read about nutrition and how it impacts your body so I'll have to look up the one you're talking about.

 

[lauradis]

Nope, we don't. We are horrible people. Even the cat eats food from a can.

Dog food is better for you.

It all started about 10 years ago with husband coming home with scrip for the evil meds and out of control chol levels.

After 3 years of nasty pills horrible, side effects, and you know there is a reason they check your liver functions while on liver killing pills.

Please don't take them.

Mostly we eat fresh veg, whole foods, farm raised meats.

We have made it to the point of about 80% clean eating. Slowly is the key. Yes we still eat out and candy bars when we want. But once you make the change processed foods doesn't taste as good. You will be jonesing for real food instead of junk filler food.

 

[Dancind]

This is a really good (and easy to follow) explanation of cholesterol and fat:

http://www.womentowomen.com/weight-loss/the-truth-about-cholesterol-and-fat/

Still waiting for some of the big health organizations to change their party line. Who wants to take bets on how long it will take? I mean, Dr. Oz is on board, will Mayo etc be far behind?

 

[ljcrochet]

I always took clean eating to mean not eating the processes crap that most people live on.
I'm trying to get better at it, but i need my coffee with artificial sweetener in it. I did cut down how much sweetener i use but still use equal.

I found a blog last night with some good information. http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/
I have this short rib recipe in the crockpot probably driving my dogs crazy.

 

[lakelandgal70]

Clean eating is more then just about weight loss. The idea is you are eliminating chemicals an additives that are bad for you and your body does not need. Clean eating does not mean giving up grains although Paleo people do eat clean. Everybody needs to make the choice as to what is good for their body. I'm not perfect with my clean eating. However, if you don't see what you are eating in nature you might want to avoid it. Food companies pay large amounts of money to discover exactly the right amount of what chemicals, salt and sugar to add to foods to get people to crave eating it.

I wish I could like this a million times!

 

[Silock]

Chemicals and additives are delicious.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I always took clean eating to mean not eating the processes crap that most people live on.
I'm trying to get better at it, but i need my coffee with artificial sweetener in it. I did cut down how much sweetener i use but still use equal.

I found a blog last night with some good information. http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/
I have this short rib recipe in the crockpot probably driving my dogs crazy.

100 days of real food is excellent and they do facebook updates. And yes that is what clean eating is. We all have little cheats. If the artificial sweetener is necessary for you that is ok. But there are some good alternatives now. Coconut sugar is good, also a mix of half stevia half sugar is making dh happy right now. If I have to choose between real and artificial sugar I'd pick real because it is at least from nature. I would rather just have less of it and only the real stuff.
I have lost 40lbs so far and rarely count calories. I do periodically to make sure I'm on track or if I feel like I'm plateauing. I don't think anybody is completely clean eating. The goal is to do it as much as possible. I do it in the home and take lunch to work but if we go out I allow myself some splurges. I can't do Paleo. I don't eat lots of meat now. That's one of those areas where I think it should be your body type. But I am going to try the Whole30 challenge after the holidays as I think I have some food allergy issues, probably gluten related and I need to limit my food choices for awhile to see what might be causing it.

 

[Chikabowa]

I can't do Paleo. I don't eat lots of meat now. That's one of those areas where I think it should be your body type. But I am going to try the Whole30 challenge after the holidays as I think I have some food allergy issues, probably gluten related and I need to limit my food choices for awhile to see what might be causing it.

Not all paleo is Whole30.

But Whole30 is pretty strict paleo (without any deviation for 30 days, there are slightly more strict versions of Whole30, like the autoimmune protocol, that you can try out as well). The goal of Whole30 is a full reset of the body, so it's not necessarily something you can do just a little bit and see how it works. But the plus side is... it's only 30 days! And you learn so much in that time span that you end up really revising a lot of your previous habits.

Just to clarify because I see this assumption frequently...
Paleo does not necessarily mean eating massive quantities of meat (and bacon) and absolutely no carbohydrates. It is not dairy-removed version of Atkins. There are a ton of vegetarians who subscribe to the paleo lifestyle and there are specific places on the internet where you can find support as a paleo vegetarian.

The paleo lifestyle definitely has carbohydrate intake... we eat a lot of squash and some sweet potatoes in our family. it's just that grains, corn, gluten, and refined products are taken out. A lot of those who live a paleo lifestyle regularly will periodically allow some wild rice, white potatoes, or quinoa into their diet as well. I challenge every single dish I make to use anywhere between 3-8 different vegetables. We get a lot of fiber and carbohydrates through a lot plant/produce intake.

Not picking on you specifically... I just hear the whole "I'm not a big meat eater, I couldn't do paleo" frequently in a lot of different places.

 

[LisaR]

Not all paleo is Whole30.

But Whole30 is pretty strict paleo (without any deviation for 30 days, there are slightly more strict versions of Whole30, like the autoimmune protocol, that you can try out as well). The goal of Whole30 is a full reset of the body, so it's not necessarily something you can do just a little bit and see how it works. But the plus side is... it's only 30 days! And you learn so much in that time span that you end up really revising a lot of your previous habits.

Just to clarify because I see this assumption frequently...
Paleo does not necessarily mean eating massive quantities of meat (and bacon) and absolutely no carbohydrates. It is not dairy-removed version of Atkins. There are a ton of vegetarians who subscribe to the paleo lifestyle and there are specific places on the internet where you can find support as a paleo vegetarian.

The paleo lifestyle definitely has carbohydrate intake... we eat a lot of squash and some sweet potatoes in our family. it's just that grains, corn, gluten, and refined products are taken out. A lot of those who live a paleo lifestyle regularly will periodically allow some wild rice, white potatoes, or quinoa into their diet as well. I challenge every single dish I make to use anywhere between 3-8 different vegetables. We get a lot of fiber and carbohydrates through a lot plant/produce intake.

Not picking on you specifically... I just hear the whole "I'm not a big meat eater, I couldn't do paleo" frequently in a lot of different places.

I'm truly not questioning what you said. If you say there are websites with vegetarian paleo eaters, I believe you. But I will say this, of the people I know personally that follow the paleo lifestyle (maybe a dozen families) meat is HUGE and bacon is an almost daily part of their diet. I think a few on this thread have even mentioned their regular use of bacon. Unless you specifically Google vegetarian paleo, most paleo recipes that pop up will involve meat. So while my survey isn't remotely scientific, I do believe that a large percentage of paleo eaters rely heavily on meat. I'm not debating the use of meat. If you like it, go for it. I'm just saying that most people do associate meat with paleo.

 

[Tiggeroo]

Not all paleo is Whole30.

But Whole30 is pretty strict paleo (without any deviation for 30 days, there are slightly more strict versions of Whole30, like the autoimmune protocol, that you can try out as well). The goal of Whole30 is a full reset of the body, so it's not necessarily something you can do just a little bit and see how it works. But the plus side is... it's only 30 days! And you learn so much in that time span that you end up really revising a lot of your previous habits.

Just to clarify because I see this assumption frequently...
Paleo does not necessarily mean eating massive quantities of meat (and bacon) and absolutely no carbohydrates. It is not dairy-removed version of Atkins. There are a ton of vegetarians who subscribe to the paleo lifestyle and there are specific places on the internet where you can find support as a paleo vegetarian.

The paleo lifestyle definitely has carbohydrate intake... we eat a lot of squash and some sweet potatoes in our family. it's just that grains, corn, gluten, and refined products are taken out. A lot of those who live a paleo lifestyle regularly will periodically allow some wild rice, white potatoes, or quinoa into their diet as well. I challenge every single dish I make to use anywhere between 3-8 different vegetables. We get a lot of fiber and carbohydrates through a lot plant/produce intake.

Not picking on you specifically... I just hear the whole "I'm not a big meat eater, I couldn't do paleo" frequently in a lot of different places.

I have a good grasp of a whole30 and don't intend to do it partially. If i do it it will be strict for thirty days. That is why I won't do it until after the new year
I don't. Think it is all about the bacon. I have read the research and have mixed feelings. I will see how I feel after the whole30. I have had some stomach trouble and skin issues so I think cutting my diet back to simple it's will help me track the culprit. I know there are veg paleos but I think it would be tough. I don't know if it would be for me. My dear sis is a vegan and I was miserable doing that. I support her in it but not sure I agree with that choice for many people.

 

[Tiggeroo]

On a funny side note I made coconut banana bread with pineapple. It's not a truly clean recipe it has whole wheat flour and coconut oil and some of the sugar was subbed with coconut flakes but it still has a decent bit of sugar which I haven't had much of. I had a good sized piece. My heart is racing I'm jittery and can't sleep. Wow. I didn't realize.

 

[Chikabowa]

I'm truly not questioning what you said. If you say there are websites with vegetarian paleo eaters, I believe you. But I will say this, of the people I know personally that follow the paleo lifestyle (maybe a dozen families) meat is HUGE and bacon is an almost daily part of their diet. I think a few on this thread have even mentioned their regular use of bacon. Unless you specifically Google vegetarian paleo, most paleo recipes that pop up will involve meat. So while my survey isn't remotely scientific, I do believe that a large percentage of paleo eaters rely heavily on meat. I'm not debating the use of meat. If you like it, go for it. I'm just saying that most people do associate meat with paleo.

I wouldn't argue that those who live paleo eat meat. I'm personally a big meat eater myself... But I balance it was being a big veggie eater too.

The majority of paleo eaters I know (and it's the majority of my social circle) do eat meat, but our consumption of produce is actually higher. Just like there are different types of vegetarians, there are different paleo eaters too.

I guess I sometimes get bugged when I hear my entire lifestyle (and it's not a diet for me... It truly is a way of eating in which I've changed the very fundamental way I live my life and raise my kids) summed up as baconbaconbaconBEEFCHICKENBEEFbaconbaconbaconEGGSEGGSEGGS in popular media. It can get tiresome to constantly hear that chant. I need to get over it, but I've had such profound success and happiness, I just feel like I've found the fountain of youth and want to share with anyone who is interested.

 

[kiramay]

It's my dream - to eat clean every meal. The prep worries me. Full-full time job and 3 kids, it's so easy to open a box or bag or add things out of a bottle. Who eat's clean? And what's it take?

I haven't read the pages of replies.

We try to eat as clean as possible. My dh is paleo organic... He cooks his own meals.

The kids and I try to eat as well as we can. Lately I've been trying Blue Apron. They deliver the fresh ingredients and recipes for 3 meals weekly. I loved the chili so much I took the recipe to the store, bought double everything, made a HUGE batch, and have meals in the freezer now. I only do weeks that sound good to me, so we've skipped a few.

Other ideas are to use the weekends to prep, prepare, cook, and freeze for the rest of the week.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I wouldn't argue that those who live paleo eat meat. I'm personally a big meat eater myself... But I balance it was being a big veggie eater too.

The majority of paleo eaters I know (and it's the majority of my social circle) do eat meat, but our consumption of produce is actually higher. Just like there are different types of vegetarians, there are different paleo eaters too.

I guess I sometimes get bugged when I hear my entire lifestyle (and it's not a diet for me... It truly is a way of eating in which I've changed the very fundamental way I live my life and raise my kids) summed up as baconbaconbaconBEEFCHICKENBEEFbaconbaconbaconEGGSEGGSEGGS in popular media. It can get tiresome to constantly hear that chant. I need to get over it, but I've had such profound success and happiness, I just feel like I've found the fountain of youth and want to share with anyone who is interested.

I <3 your quote "I just feel like I've found the fountain of youth and want to share with anyone who is interested". I might steal that one. I'll give you credit tho. I know many may not believe this but I tell people if you have any health issue to complain about take gluten out for a couple weeks and see how you feel. It won't hurt you and can totally get your life back. I loved how I felt on Whole 30. Best thing I've ever done.