Instagram is full of #cleaneating #eatclean hashtags, but what does "CLEAN EATING" actually mean? And why the need need to put a label on it, then making all "unclean" and "dirty" foods seem naughty and off limits? "Clean eating" is so prevalent at the moment, especially in the fitness industry and it blows my mind the amount of things I have heard people take as truth just because they are told so.
What I gather from the words "clean eating", is that it refers to minimally processed foods including plants, fruits and meats that come from the Earth and have had little human processing. That's my take on it, but if you asked a Paleo follower it may mean no grains, or for someone else it may mean something completely different. It gets tricky when it comes to the individual. Some may see white rice as fine on a clean eating diet, whereas others may see white rice as the devil, with brown rice being the only way to go. I am close to finishing my degree in Nutritional Medicine and in the health industry "clean eating" and "detoxing" and "juice cleanses" are quite common and popular. When I read discussion forums from others in my course / industry, I wonder whether I have made the right decision in my career path. I love good, wholesome, nutritious food, but I hate the way sugar, sweets and processed foods are portrayed as "sweet poison" and demonised.
Now don't get me wrong. Eating food that is minimally processed is ideal - lots of fresh foods to create beautiful meals, full of essential vitamins and nutrients to keep our body functioning optimally. But in saying that, I see nothing wrong with incorporating "unclean" or "dirty" foods into your diet, as part of a well balanced diet.
What makes a food "dirty"?
Is it because it's high in fat, processed, full of sugar, salt or artificial flavours and colourings? If you look at it nutritionally speaking, macronutrient wise, you could eat half a banana and a few almonds OR a paddle pop for the same nutritional value. Which one is better for you? Nutritionally (vitamins and minerals) - yeah the banana and nuts, macronutrient wise - they're both the same. They have a very similar fat / carb / protein breakdown and their impact on body composition will be the same.
This is where it gets me....
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and if clean eating is your thing then go for it. When clean eating is shoved down your throat it annoys me - you can eat unlimited fruit, vegetables and clean foods and never put on weight. Really??!! This comes with little understanding of calories in / calories out / energy balance and the fact that yeah, you can gain weight eating chicken and broccoli every day, like you can gain weight eating 5 Maccas meals a day. You can still gain weight "clean eating". I have gained around 800 grams over the past 4 weeks by eating alot of nutritious foods that may be seen by many as 'clean', including fish, meat, chicken. broccoli, rice etc. But I have been eating more than my body needs, therefore, gaining weight.
What I gather from the words "clean eating", is that it refers to minimally processed foods including plants, fruits and meats that come from the Earth and have had little human processing. That's my take on it, but if you asked a Paleo follower it may mean no grains, or for someone else it may mean something completely different. It gets tricky when it comes to the individual. Some may see white rice as fine on a clean eating diet, whereas others may see white rice as the devil, with brown rice being the only way to go. I am close to finishing my degree in Nutritional Medicine and in the health industry "clean eating" and "detoxing" and "juice cleanses" are quite common and popular. When I read discussion forums from others in my course / industry, I wonder whether I have made the right decision in my career path. I love good, wholesome, nutritious food, but I hate the way sugar, sweets and processed foods are portrayed as "sweet poison" and demonised.
Now don't get me wrong. Eating food that is minimally processed is ideal - lots of fresh foods to create beautiful meals, full of essential vitamins and nutrients to keep our body functioning optimally. But in saying that, I see nothing wrong with incorporating "unclean" or "dirty" foods into your diet, as part of a well balanced diet.
What makes a food "dirty"?
Is it because it's high in fat, processed, full of sugar, salt or artificial flavours and colourings? If you look at it nutritionally speaking, macronutrient wise, you could eat half a banana and a few almonds OR a paddle pop for the same nutritional value. Which one is better for you? Nutritionally (vitamins and minerals) - yeah the banana and nuts, macronutrient wise - they're both the same. They have a very similar fat / carb / protein breakdown and their impact on body composition will be the same.
This is where it gets me....
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and if clean eating is your thing then go for it. When clean eating is shoved down your throat it annoys me - you can eat unlimited fruit, vegetables and clean foods and never put on weight. Really??!! This comes with little understanding of calories in / calories out / energy balance and the fact that yeah, you can gain weight eating chicken and broccoli every day, like you can gain weight eating 5 Maccas meals a day. You can still gain weight "clean eating". I have gained around 800 grams over the past 4 weeks by eating alot of nutritious foods that may be seen by many as 'clean', including fish, meat, chicken. broccoli, rice etc. But I have been eating more than my body needs, therefore, gaining weight.
Eating meals such as above, are delicious, full of nutrients and vitamins and probably very 'clean' (apart from the mayo!), but I have been eating in a calorie surplus, which has made me gain weight!
When you eat more than your body needs, whether it be from "clean" or "dirty" food, you WILL put on weight. You can also lose weight with a more flexible approach to eating. There is no one right way, but being flexible with your diet allows you to enjoy food without labelling it as good or bad and minimises the need to binge on food that you usually don't include in your diet.
I have done both. I jumped on the "clean eating" bandwagon and lost 5 kilos. Yes i cut out processed foods, but really, I was just eating less than my body needed. I have also lost 10 kilos with a more flexible approach to dieting and made most foods fit in with my goals - whether it be pasta, chocolate or ice cream. I'm not trying to lose weight now but I still meal prep, with the majority of my meals being made up of "clean foods" - chicken, rice, broccoli and salad, but I actually enjoy eating this way. I also enjoy ice cream, chocolate, sugar filled cakes, processed nutella and lollies. But I'm sane, normal and I enjoy my food. I don't see it as a chore and I never sit there wishing I could eat that cake. Because I just go right ahead and eat it, knowing that my diet is flexible and not restrictive. And thank god for that.
When you eat more than your body needs, whether it be from "clean" or "dirty" food, you WILL put on weight. You can also lose weight with a more flexible approach to eating. There is no one right way, but being flexible with your diet allows you to enjoy food without labelling it as good or bad and minimises the need to binge on food that you usually don't include in your diet.
I have done both. I jumped on the "clean eating" bandwagon and lost 5 kilos. Yes i cut out processed foods, but really, I was just eating less than my body needed. I have also lost 10 kilos with a more flexible approach to dieting and made most foods fit in with my goals - whether it be pasta, chocolate or ice cream. I'm not trying to lose weight now but I still meal prep, with the majority of my meals being made up of "clean foods" - chicken, rice, broccoli and salad, but I actually enjoy eating this way. I also enjoy ice cream, chocolate, sugar filled cakes, processed nutella and lollies. But I'm sane, normal and I enjoy my food. I don't see it as a chore and I never sit there wishing I could eat that cake. Because I just go right ahead and eat it, knowing that my diet is flexible and not restrictive. And thank god for that.