Good morning everyone!
Have you ever had that internal debate over quality versus quantity in terms of our health?
In society, it seems that many of us hold onto the belief that the only way to be successful in weight loss or dieting is that calculations (calories in vs. calories out, burning x amount of calories per day) will lead us to get results and quality of food gets put on the back burner.
In my opinion, the quality of food we consume should be more important than the quantity.
{ almond butter & ezekiel bread; paleo may be all the rage now, but I still love my carbs }
When I first started losing weight, I was a slave to the 100 calorie packages.
Maybe I could eat more of these, but I’d never feel satisfied. Not surprising, as these items are filled with chemicals and preservatives.
It’s easy to stick to those really low calorie foods, but in the end you’re so devoid of any nutrition that you end up hungrier than before.
Why have one egg when you could have 5 egg whites for the same amount of calories? Discounting the fact that whole eggs contain the most nutrition and benefits when we are eating these foods WHOLE.
{ one of my favorite snacks these days; coconut milk and strawberries }
This also leads to the “eat clean” movement.
Yes, I consider eggs clean, full fat yogurt is more clean compared to the 0% processed variety.
However, everyone has there own definition of ‘”clean eats”.
Eating clean is seen as a good thing, but when clean eats become too restrictive is that really considered a good thing? If we view eating clean as fuel, quality, nutrients, and ingredients instead of focusing on calories, I think that’s better for overall health.
{ even though peanut flour isn’t a whole food, I still and will continue to enjoy it! }
It’s also necessary we don’t become too obsessed with eating clean. If we are only eating these healthy foods with no leeway, food consuming all our thoughts, planning and scheduling meals; well that just gets in the way of living life and eventually becomes emotionally and mentally draining.
Being restrictive, obsessive, and isolating isn’t healthy. Eating clean can be part of our daily lives, but we can’t live to eat clean.
Eating foods we like shouldn’t leave us feeling guilty, we have to be able to indulge some of the time.
Obviously, I’m not perfect in this way of viewing food. I still hold onto beliefs that I must “eat clean”, now I’m trying to “unlearn” my clean eating obsession.
{ so wine may not be the epitome of health, but that won’t stop me from enjoying it every once and a while }
There are still foods I won’t eat, as I view them as unclean, and still label food as “good and bad”.
It’s a struggle to change these thoughts, even if they are disordered.
I’m slowly coming to terms with what works for me, instead of looking to others for the next new thing. I know I’ll get there eventually.
How do you define clean eating?
What’s your favorite food to indulge in?
Have you ever been too obsessed when it comes to food?
Hope everyone has a fantastic day!
