The winner of the Handful Bra giveaway is #182 Chelsea from One Healthy Munchkin! Congrats Chels — email me your contact information!
Last night I got a great question on Twitter:
“Does clean eating involve oatmeal cookies and wine?”
My answer?
Always… but only if the wine is from a box.
I don’t think I have ever really defined what clean eating really means to me — which is funny, since my blog is called clean eating chelsey. Go figure, right? In any sense, clean eating can mean a lot of things. Some might have different definitions, and that is perfectly okay! If your definition of clean eating means you are eating just after having gotten out of the shower for the first time in three days, then so be it — I won’t judge you. Okay, maybe a little bit, but I’d never tell you that.
asparagus and white bean pasta
To me, clean eating means eating a diet consisting of mostly unprocessed foods without additives or chemicals. Pretty simple right? I eat whole foods. I eat foods that actually resemble what they came out of the ground looking like (imagine that). I check food labels for additives, food dyes, and anything that I cannot pronounce or my great-grandmother would not be able to identify.
Because when it comes down to it, the SAD (Standard American Diet) is seriously scary. I could go on for hours about why I get nervous that children today are eating food that has been genetically modified instead of pulled straight from the ground — that our government isn’t doing anything about the chemicals and hormones being put in meat and dairy products — but I’ll save that for a different day, mainly because I’ll get all fired up.
Sometimes people look at me funny. And no, I don’t think it’s because I look funny. They think I’m the girl who only eats healthy, is obsessed with healthy living, and never eats something that could possibly be “bad” for me. With that being said, I laugh.. a lot.
With that being said, does that mean that I always eat “clean”? Do I always eat food in its whole unprocessed entirety with no added chemicals?
Absolutely not.
I would say about 90-95% of the time, I eat “clean”. The other 5-10% are full on indulgences that I couldn’t get through life without. Chocolate, cookies, packaged treats that are full of sugar — sometimes a girl’s just got to do it. While it isn’t very often I indulge (mainly because my body is in shock afterwards), I don’t freak out or feel guilty when it happens.
Life is too short and too much fun for me to feel guilty because I shared a plate of French fries with someone on Saturday night or because I ate a gluten free brownie filled with so much sugar that it came out of my pores the next day. And I don’t even want to talk about my gum addiction. I have had to stop buying packages, and I live for mooching a few chews off of anyone that innocently pulls a package out of their pocket or purse.
Let’s face it — any kind of lifestyle that does not include oatmeal cookies and wine is not for me.
That is a fact.
Question: What is your definition of “clean eating”? Do others have a skewed view on your lifestyle?
{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }
waittt neew layout!??! self hosted?!? thats why i havent been getting your posts in my email!!… clean eating to me is eating whole foods.. nothing too processed.. but of course in moderation!
oh no!
I’m sorry, we thought we got all the kinks out! I’ve been wondering where you were!
You are awesome- seriously, your posts always make me smile
. I’m not really sure what my definition of clean eating is. I’m still trying to work on that haha. I do want to eat less processed foods and more whole foods that are better for me…but there will always be some things that I refuse to give up. Oatmeal cookies and wine are seriously two of my favorite indulgences!
Quick question- who are you self hosted through?
I am still through wordpress, but my web hosting is through Dreamhost.
I think clean eating is a good approach, and it has to be adapted to your lifestyle and the choices that are available. Making the healthiest choices most of the time is all I can aim for!
Clean eating and living a healthy lifestyle = balance. I would a) go crazy and b) get super bored if I ate nothing but vegetables all day long. In my opinion, if something is done in excess, it becomes unhealthy.
If I want a chocolate bar (or glass of wine), I’m going to have one (or three glasses). I don’t freak out. I enjoy it. As long as you use your brain, and not be crazy all over the place with one particular “style” of eating…life will be great.
Such a beautiful bost, Chelsey! You’ve put into words almost exactly how I feel on this topic. To me, clean eating is eating whole, healthy foods that make me feel good and nourish my body, while avoiding as many processed foods and additives that make me feel gross and do questionable things to my body! But I also think that healthy eating means allowing indulgences from time to time if that’s what we mentally/emotionally/physically need.
I know what you mean about getting fired up about the SAD - it gets me pretty fired up too! It’s so comforting to know that there are people who share my views!
Happy Friday!
I think my definition of clean eating is basically the same as yours. I try to focus on wholesome foods…but at the same time I’m not nearly as strict about it as I once was. i would say now Im that 80/20 balance.
I totally agree - I am DEFINITELY not as strict as I once was!
Whole/unprocessed foods! I try to eat as healthy as I can most of the time. I get the weirdest looks and comments especially in the dining halls. Oh well, I’d rather feel good after dinner than have a greasy double cheeseburger sitting in my stomach. Gross
I’d agree with you on that definition. That’s also part of my definition of “healthy”. I’m probably at about 85 to 90% on any given week. Which is hilariously the extreme opposite of my roommate. At least we never confuse what food in the refrigerator/freezer belongs to what roommate.
haha! That was always the case when I lived with roommates - and now that I live with my husband.
Clean eating isn’t being perfect. I enjoy a treat but enjoy them more when I make them myself. Spending most of the time eating nutritious foods and about 5-10% treats of fun like coffee from coffee shops.
I agree! I love making my own treats with wholesome ingredients!
I have a serious gum addiction too! I sometimes get to the point where I just won’t let myself but it. But about once a week I fall off the wagon chew to my heart’s delight and then quit again. But that works for me because if someone said no gum ever I would probably just curl up in a ball and cry for a very long time.
I would too - I’d join you.
For me it’s about eating good unprocessed foods…most of the time!
I just posted about my views of what I eat, when I eat. It’s pretty much what I want, when I want. I don’t restrict myself. Luckily, my body craves healthy foods
People always look at me funny when I say I crave healthy foods - they’re like “really? You do?” Um yes, your taste buds adapt!
To me, clean eating means eating whole, unprocessed foods, which is something I try to do around 90% of the time, and I’m lucky that my body seems to naturally crave those kind of foods. I try to avoid foods with preservatives and other nasty chemicals, but you’re right… life’s just too short to sweat all that stuff constantly.
Good post, Chelsey! I’m still in the strict phase of clean eating, but I’m trying to be better…but what does that mean, really *sigh* I have a hard time eating processed foods simply because the “eat clean” conviction has a good hold on me and I do often feel like even the occasional dirty cookie isn’t worth bending that conviction, at least for me. I’d rather indulge in on my homemade, clean cookies. Although, I guess I’ll be letting go a little bit when I meet a friend for fro-yo tomorrow.
You’ll get there! It took me a good two years to find balance!
I love this post. I love that you say “mostly unprocessed” because COME ON! We all eat something processed every now and then.
I can relate to the weird looks and being the girl who “eats healthy all the time”. My family especially makes fun of me for grilling veggies while they were grilling brats and burgers while Brewer game tailgating. But, guess what? Everyone wanted some of my grilled asparagus! I obliged because I am nice like that.
And then I ate a rice krispie treat. Yep, clean eating and cookies. Our diet rules.
I would say I eat clean 95% of the time and the rest of the time I am eating chocolate and drinking decaf americano’s
It really disturbs me when I see so many families {and young kids} eating boxed food from costco…..
Love your posts girl!
xxoo
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good tub of hummus from costco!
But I know what you mean - all the processed foods!
I’m very similar to you in that I eat mainly whole foods and very few things that come in a package. I try to stay away from things I can’t pronounce too!
Lots of people think I am weird for my eating philosophy, but I just sort of shrug and tell them how great I feel when I eat this way
They can’t argue with that!!
To me, clean eating is about eating what your body is craving/what it needs. Also, it’s about eating whole foods that aren’t processed (or are minimally processed - like store-bought whole wheat bread), etc.
We’re on the same page when it comes to “clean eating,” but that’s not to say I don’t sometimes eat things that I KNOW are not “clean.” And as for gum, my desire for fresh breath is so much bigger than my desire not to consume sugar
Life is all about the little indulgences and MODERATION! Head on over to The Great Balancing Act and see if you don’t find yourself not sweating the small stuff anymore!!
If I didn’t have my daily chocolate fix, I’d be one mean mommy!
Totally agree! Susan’s posts have been inspiring!
LOVE the new layout/organization! Gorgeous
To me, clean eating means eating as least-processed food as possible, a lot like you. Very little pre-packaged, all natural, local/organic. Stuff that makes the body feel good
ooooooh your chickpea burgers look AMAZING! haha obvi from the last post.
i’m alllll about eating clean 80-90 percent of the time! the rest is put to side for big nights filled with cocktails and rainbow cookies
Hahahha girl boxed wine is a lifestyle choice
Agreed, without good food and good drinks, life is not the same. I eat “clean” most of the time, which follows the same definition as yours — but occasionally I’ll have some sugary biznazz if I want it! Even if it means a few too many swedish fish or oreos on mah vegan froyo!
Oh and yes. So many people think that I just eat veggies and tofu. That makes me laugh out loud!
For me, I eat clean “too” often… my disordered eating allowed me to fear so many foods that I deemed unhealthy or not good enough for me. I am finally understanding that “clean eating” is about moderation!!!
Wait, how did you know that I define clean eating as eating right after a shower? haha You crack me up!
I smelled you a few weeks ago - I just knew.
I have the same definition as you. 80-90% of the time I strive to eat whole, unprocessed foods. Others definitely have a skewed view of how I eat, thinking I never indulge or maybe am too strict. But I don’t see it that way at all, I enjoy eating these foods and know how good they are for me. Plus that other 10-20% of the time is all about the treats! I just always make sure my treats are worth it! I also love making clean treats
People should never EVER apologize for food choices or feel bad for “indulging”. Without those “indulgences”, life isn’t worth living.
Clean eating makes me a qualitarian! I don’t label myself vegetarian or anything, I just look for the best, local, organic, cruelty free, additive free foods. Makes me feel better too
LOVE THAT “qualitarian”!!! Such a great way to describe it!
Man, I have been missing from the blog world for awhile, love your new layout!!! It looks great!!!!
I so agree with your definition of clean eating. I look at ingredients on product labels too. I didn’t realize that a lot of makeup contains formaldehyde, super gross!
whole foods, less processed, getting enough nutrients for my body
great post!
My former roommate once asked me what she could make for dinner that I would eat after me refusing her “cooking” several times. She suggested Kraft Mac N Cheese, a meal out of Suddenly Sides, and ordering wings. After turning up my nose and eating my delicious and nutritious roasted root vegetable soup leftovers, she declared that I have a “food thing”. I said I do not, I just like to nourish my body and mind, and she said that was labeled as a food thing because she “didn’t care what or how much she put into her body.” Awful, right?
I like to indulge sometimes, of course, but for the most part I don’t buy processed foods with a longer ingredient list than my shopping list for the week, majorly sugary snacks, greasy foods. Generally if I eat out I prefer veggies and light sauces to greasy, heavy things. I’ll make my exceptions for a vegan cupcake though
I’ve been accused of a “food thing” as well - it happens when others aren’t used to the concept of fueling your body with quality, wholesome ingredients!
Great post. I agree with your definition. I try to stay away from anything that I can’t pronounce and eat as many whole, unprocessed foods as possible. I do stray every once in a while and I tend to get down on myself about it. This is something that I am trying to work towards getting better about! I’m a work in progress. lol.
I get it ALL the time… “You’re eating rabbit food” or “How is that even good?” or even “You must feel so deprived”. The average American mind is SO skewed when it comes to the potential deliciousness of healthy, whole foods.
Oh my gosh, I just wrote a paper about veganism and eating whole healthy food, talking about the American Standard Diet, it really is sad!
I agree with you, clean eating is being able to recognize the ingredients that came from the ground and being able to pronounce the packaging ingredients. Life would not be fun w/o cookies or ice cream once in a while annnnd if you make it at home, I would call it clean!
Wow, I am working on a series of blog posts about how I eat and I was defining “clean eating” this morning. To me, clean eating means unprocessed foods (no additives or scary chemicals) without a lot of sugar or fat adding in the cooking process.
It is very important to me to teach my children what real food is, what it tastes like, and why the processed food is bad for them. Now when it comes to indulgences, I prefer to bake my own treats for the kids, like cookies or cupcakes, so I can control the ingredients. Most of the time these can be made with healthy ingredients and taste really good too.
I agree - teaching childdren what real food looks like, tastes like, etc. is so so important! You’re a great mom!
The SAD truly is scary. I work at a grocery store, and I always look what’s inside everyone’s grocery carts when I wonder about. It makes me so sad because majority of the time, there’s no fresh produce and everything is packaged…
Sounds like a good definition! I’m the same way, I try to eat clean 95% of the time, the other 5% I can indulge. Although, I do find being gluten and dairy-free doesn’t allow for much indulgence
(
well said we have similar definitions of clean eating. I try to eat foods that came from the earth, that not have been altered. But yes life is too short not to have a little fun from time to time. I still enjoy my baked goods and a good glass of wine from time to time, and I love every minute of it. But clean eating is important to me because my health is important to me, because I want to live a long and healthy life
xoxo
~Lori
Your comment was also well said!
I agree, my health is more important to me than scarfing down fast food every week!
I’m totally on the same page. I think being healthy has to involve enjoying life and in my mind food wise that means eating whole, unprocessed foods but not preventing yourself those indulgences as well. No one wants to feel like their lifestyle holds them back. Sadly I’ve gotten out of some of my good habits (that 5% isn’t so close anymore) but it takes a while and some practice to regain old habits. ..oh and I definitely have the same issue with gum!
Love the way you stated it, and I totally am the same way. I was lucky and grew up eating “clean” healthy, nutritious, and delicious food
Some people think the way I eat is a “chore”, to “have to” eat healthy, but it’s SO not, I honestly love the food I eat or else I wouldn’t eat it. I rarely eat packaged foods but sometimes it happens, I believe in honoring my craving and needs, and eating whole foods that are darn tasty! Life is too short to not eat what you love, and I love me some “healthy food”.
I never actually had a chance to read this post this morning - I only had time to see that I won haha. Thanks for doing such an awesome giveaway!
I try to eat clean as much as possible, but I definitely leave some wiggle room. Sometimes when I’m out to dinner with friends or having a girls night, I just want to have some pizza and candy! But I make sure those are only occasional indulgences, not their own food groups like in the SAD diet.
Sadly, the government doesnt care about our food. They care about, especially NOW, the $$
I think Clean Eating is a combination of eating a mostly plant-based diet with eating what your body wants whenever it asks for it. There’s no point in eating “clean” all the time if your body truly craves other foods every once in awhile. What’s so great about the blog world (I say from a reader, but not a blogger’s perspective) is that everyone defines his or her own defintion of “clean”; what works for one person may not work for someone else. But underneath individual preferences lays a general desire to eat healthy, unprocessed foods the majority of the time.
Great post, Chelsey! I think you outlined ‘clean eating’ perfectly: a majority of wholesome REAL food with the occasional splurges! That doesn’t mean that I don’t regularly enjoy treats- I just try to ensure that they are made of “clean” ingredients! Fortunately I actually wake up craving ‘clean’ foods (a majority of the time at least!)- it’s actually scary to think how many people rely on packaged foods as their daily go-tos!
I take more of an 85/15 approach to “clean eating.” I don’t eat fast food (ever), drink soda pop, and the majority of my foods are whole. But I am a girl who LOVES to bake. But if you ask me, making my own treats (I’m making homemade pop tarts right now) is so much better than buying it with preservatives from the store.
I hear what you’re saying about the hormone free/organic meats. It’s sooo hard to find environmentally friendly meats-which is why i only eat meat about 2 times per week.
Alysha @ShesOnTheRun
My friends joke around about how much I run, but other than that no!!! I love flavorful AND healthy food and usually my friends say it looks really tasty!!
ah, thanks for this! i just came off a fab vacay in tahoe and went of the clean eating wagon a bit..wine (well, i do that every week, at least once) and french fries, too much trail mix with m&ms…was feeling guilty, but i’m ok now. thanks! as my hubby says, you gotta be balanced. so very true.