Can 'Clean-Eating' Become Unhealthy??

If you have been in the fitness industry in the past decade or so, you're probably very familiar with the term 'clean-eating'. Clean eating basically means eating healthy. Choosing foods that are natural or organic (doesn't always have to be organic), fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, good fats, and smaller portions.

The idea behind clean eating is getting your nutrients from whole foods instead of processed foods. I remember when food talk was all about the Zone Diet, or the Atkins Diet. While now we are not promoting a diet, but rather a healthier lifestyle when it comes to eating, I can see first hand how this can be a struggle.

First and foremost, figuring out how to eat clean for an average American is difficult. If you don't have a nutrition knowledge base, you'll often find that you think you're eating something healthy only to find out later it's actually not. Like yogurt. I don't know how many clients of mine will tell me they had a strawberry yogurt for breakfast, or cinnamon raisin oatmeal, or a granola bar and then are surprised when I tell them how much sugar they are consuming before 9am.

Secondly, sometimes eating clean is often more expensive and not as available than processed, boxed foods. I have had problems with this when I am out and about for clients from 6am-8pm. I can only carry and pack so much, and certainly can't carry certain lean proteins etc in my bag with no cooler. Even though this is New York City and there is seemingly endless choices for food, I get stuck. There are five places in a row where I could get a sandwhich, soup, bars, crackers, smoothies that are in my prices range. But how often can I go into a deli where I can get good, clean, lean proteins and veggies for under $10? It's rare, and I'll sometimes add up what I have spent in a week on food and it is horrifying. But what am I going to do? Buy expensive, healthier food? Or save money and buy an unhealthier, quicker option?

Third is the most concerning. I have always been very "healthy" in what I choose to put in my body for the most part. I know I should generally have fruits, veggies, eggs, and chicken for the bulk of my diet. I know I shouldn't binge on chips, or eat cookies every day. But when I completely changed my body through fitness and nutrition was when I was eating the cleanest I've ever eaten and been in the best shape of my life. Eating very little carbs except fruits/veggies, eating nuts, eating measured out portions of meat, protein shakes, and nothing after 7pm kind of eating. This became an obsession, and there are times where I was so miserable because keeping this up and maintaining it is almost impossible!

My boyfriend and I struggle with this because we are very active, on a budget, and want to eat healthy. There is not a day in the week when one of us comes home complaining about how "bad" they were that day with what they ate, and obsess over it all night. We spend all day on Sundays cooking for the week, and it is never enough. It seems as though we spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about each piece of food we put in our mouths, analyzing it, focusing on it. Did I deserve it? What will this mean for my training? Can I maintain this? Will I feel good later? Can I get back on track, etc etc?

This can be so debilitating. I am a trainer, and I am a firm believer in training hard, and eating right. BUT....I also really like food. And I want to enjoy life. I don't want to be a hypocrite with my clients, but I also get what it takes to get the body you want. With all of the conflicting information out there, I try to abide by the 80/20 rule. I eat clean 80% of the time, and 20% I don't let myself feel so bad for a treat. I do know that the only reason the 80/20 rule is successful for me is because of how active I am. My lifestyle is extremely active, and the only way I can keep that up is to fuel it correctly.

There is a short article I read about this here:

http://www.dailyhiit.com/hiit-blog/hiit-life/clean-eating-way-new-eating-disorders/

I do know others in the fitness industry that this 'obsession' in eating clean has become like an eating disorder. They can't go out with friends in fear of there not being any choices for them to eat. They can't socialize with alcohol. They let one bad meal get them down for an entire week, and then sabotage themselves.

I hope that becoming educated in what 'real food' is will help people make better choices. When you see results and you feel healthy because you have eaten clean, it is an unstoppable feeling. But, don't let yourself be dictated by this. Live a little. Give yourself a break.

Until next time!

#advice #cleaneating #fitness #foodforfuel #health #nyc #personaltrainer #training