Clean eating

nikegrl688

Okay, Before you guys throw me out, I did do my research in the previous postings and looked online but I am still unclear on clean eating...

My food is my biggest problem because I think one bite or one portion of something is not going to hurt me but when I do that 3 or 4 times a day, it adds up. I was looking into eating clean and I think its something I can stick with but I cannot find clear answers on this because some sites on my computer are blocked. (Darn work actually wanting me to work...} lol

It says only eat things from mother nature but one snack was cheese and crackers... Is cheese not processed along with crackers?
Can I drink at all? any kind of wine or liquor or anything?
Wheat bread is processed and one snack was muffin and Pb.
Can someone help me out?
 
I love fruits and veggies and I dont see a problem doing this should I commit fully to it, I just want to make sure I know all facts before I jump in

Lobsters25

There are MANY variations on clean eating, so you really need to decide how far you want to take it.  Some people don't do any dairy or alcohol.  Some people don't do carbs.  Some people refuse to do anything processed.

I tried what I call a 'middle of the road variation,' and I REALLY liked it, but couldn't keep up with it due to my gastro and fiber issues.  I only ate processed things with five ingredients or less, and I had to be able to identify all ingredients.  It was a rule that worked well for me.  As for cooking at home, I cooked with as many organic and natural ingredients as possible.  I used things like honey for a sweetener, and minimally processed wheat flour for baking.  Yet for some people, they would in no way consider even that to be 'clean.'
Again, that's just one way to do it, and I'm sure unchanten and ftl will also be able to provide variations on it, based on their paleo and vegan lifestyles, respectively.

The only way it's maintainable, though, is if it's going to fit your lifestyle.  So, I recommend cutting out and setting limitations to  what you feel is best, and going to the grocery store to see how that is going to work for you.

entropicbeauty

Hey Lobsters - I love your idea of clean eating with the 5 ingredients or less and knowing what each thing is! I would love to be a bit more conscientious about what I'm eating. DH is all about this and he pretty much flat out refuses to buy anything with  High Fructose Corn Syrup in it already.

libbybacon

I agree with Lobsters! For me, it's about buying as least processed as possible. Now, I'm not willing to go as far as baking my own bread, making my own pasta, etc...so I don't buy EVERYTHING processed-free. But when I am buying something packaged, I always choose the option with the least ingredients, and the most that I understand. I figure as long as you are conscious about what you are eating, you tend to buy or make the most "clean" choices. I also reccomend buying in bulk! We have a Costco membership, and I go about once every 2 weeks and get meat, cereal, and yogurt, because none of that stuff expires very quickly. Meat I separate and freeze enough for 1 meal, and we even freeze the chobani greek yogurt, and pull down a coupe every few days to thaw. Good luck!

nikegrl688

Thanks all

Libby, I just obtained a costco membership and I think it would be a good idea. I bought fruits from there and meat which meat I know I can freeze but the fruit spoils before I can eat it all... I didnt think about freezing yogurt. Thats smart.

Thanks all. I will start small and do the five ingredient clean eating and go from there and being more aware.

Thanks

freebread03

I recently bought a food saver type thing here and LOVE it.  We do a lot of Costco shopping and sometimes its hard to keep fruits, veggies, and meats fresh.  This allows us to better package and freeze the meat and eliminates freezer burn, and keeps veggies and fruits fresher longer (I cut everything up, vacuum seal it, and throw it in the fridge or freezer).  Having pre-packed/pre-cut veggies, fruits, or even sauces/rubs already mixed (I do most of it on Sundays) makes cooking (and therefore eating clean) very easy during the week.  For example, last night I made nomnompaleo's garbage stir fry, and had already cut up the cabbage and onions, and it took me all of 10 minutes to make.

firsttimersluck

I do what lobster does with a FEW exceptions. 

-I use the 5 ingredient rule for things like organic bread (Silver Hills is amaaaazing), when I am too lazy to make my own. 

-When my make my bread it's usually with unprocessed flours such as almond and quinoa. 

-I don't keep many canned goods in the house (most canned good stuff is non organic/gmo anyway, but not all) 

-Because I'm a "rawist" vegan, I do allow some bars and things that I know are fabulous.. They are always organic, non-gmo, I can pronounce everythingon them, no filler, raw. 

-I don't have the issue with cheese/dairy/meat since I'm vegan, but yes.. all that stuff is usually HIGHLY processed.. So if you want to eat cleanly, it's time to cut back on those, or accept that you aren't quite "clean' in that area. (I don't mean that in a mean way.. Like Lobsters said, everyone has their own "level" of clean eating) 

-Crackers are more than likely highly processed. NOT clean.

  

- My protein powder is minimally processed. (this is one that most people won't give up. If you're a whey protein powder eater, you're eating something incredibly processed. I made the swap to plant-based protein powder before going vegan, but a lot of people don't want to make that swap because of the added expense) 

Some things people just don't even think about, like jam. Make your own!! It'snot that difficult! and you can freeze that sucker for sooo long so you can make it in big batches. Salad dressings are soooo simply to throw together. 

Getting a juicer and a dehydrator is such a great way to  not "give up" your sweets and juices by going clean eater. 

firsttimersluck

Spirulina is fantastic, and yes! I'm also a seaweed junkie, but that's not so much for the protein as it is for how much it helps aid in muscle recovery. 

I use hemp and pea for the most part. 

Since moving to Florida, I have yet to find these in their raw form, so I have just been throwing back the Vega Sport protein powder when I need a pick-me-up. 

Of course, clean eating is one of those "ya gotta pick your battles" kinda things but the swap away from whey a year and a half or so ago was an easy one for me. I totally understand people not wanting to give up what they know though (especially when protein powder can taste straight up nasty.. so when we find one we can tolerate we don't want to keep looking haha)