Posts: 1,305
5/14/12 4:56 P

You're going to wish you didn't ask, because I'm about to go off on a rant. I was thinking a lot about eating habits in different parts of the world and times. My dad was born in 1952 and they were absolutely dirt poor. They went days without food. Sometimes all they had to eat were tomatoes, baking soda and canned milk. He died in March from lung cancer. He started smoking before he was 10 and smoked non filters for a long time. I remember him being upset that his cigarettes had filters on them. My gramma was born in 1924 and she's healthy as a horse. She grew up in a time when all there was was clean food! Everyone had a garden. There was no soda. No chips. No fast food. She never developed a taste for unclean, processed foods. If you look at asian countries, they have far lower rates of cancer and almost zero allergies. A friend called a caterer in Japan regarding a wedding. She asked for a gluten free meal for a guest and they had no idea what that meant. They eat pretty clean, though the heavy metals are higher in fish etc. But we're glutenous in North America. When you compare to the 20's, 30's, 40's and even into the 50's we're disgustingly overfed.

I grew up on a mix of processed and clean foods. My dad was a meat and potatoes man so that's what we ate, a lot. Not much chicken, even less fish. But snack food was big. Not as big as it is now, but pretty big. I grew up on what my mom called "bed time snacks". Usually popcorn, chips, cookies, ice cream. I remember my now ex-husband wanting me to stop making processed foods and I truly had no idea what he was talking about. It was a foreign word to me. I had no idea that Hamburger Helper was a "processed" food. I thought I was cooking! Frozen chicken nuggets? How can that be bad? It's chicken, right? It's taken me a long time to get it.

So to answer the original question...what is clean doing for me? Honestly I don't notice a benefit until I don't eat clean. Then I feel horrid. My skin is bad, my digestion is...wierd...and I have crazy blood sugar/energy issues. Crashes and highs. I'm not perfect by any stretch, but I am honest and vocal with my daughter, who's 12. She knows what foods we eat are processed, how they are and she knows the good things about what we eat that is clean. I explain meals to her. We talk about why we make the choices we do on a regular basis. When I learn something new, I tell her. So she's not just observing, she's actually learning. Long before I did.

current weight: 266.3

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Posts: 10,062
5/12/12 7:01 P

LOL true!
And I was thinking, we used to think the kids that got fast food burgers were RICH! Now it's cheaper to eat that way. (Unfortunately!)

110 Maintenance Weeks

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SparkPoints: (5,663)
Fitness Minutes: (954)
Posts: 70
5/12/12 3:16 P

Yes, back in the 50's if we wanted a soda we had to find a nickel and then walk to the store to buy the bottle. It was about 4 miles round trip.

Pounds lost: 8.2

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Posts: 10,062
5/12/12 1:30 P

I grew up poor in the 50s 60s. Back then frozen meals, desserts, fast food (had just been invented) were out of the question for us.
My mom cooked everything and we didn't have anything extra like soda pop etc.
We thought kids that got that were spoiled rotten!
I guess that's why I'm not one of those people that won't eat healthier foods because "I don't LIIIKKKEEE it"
I don't need extra sugar, fat, and salt in everything. Plain tastes great to me.

110 Maintenance Weeks

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SparkPoints: (93,896)
Fitness Minutes: (116,544)
Posts: 18,700
5/12/12 11:22 A

Yes. I am lucky. I grew up in the 70's and 80's.
We had a lot of brown rice, lentils and beans, salads and homemade yogurt.
I remember on our childhood vacations stopping at MANY health food stores. Mom and Dad love going to health food stores. lol

Pounds lost: 23.0

0 8.75 17.5 26.25

35

SparkPoints: (8,706)
Fitness Minutes: (8,553)
Posts: 30
5/12/12 10:11 A

I've noticed how much sweeter carrots have become. Unsalted nuts are more flavorful. I definitely notice how poorly I feel after eating foods with more fat or sugar than I am now used to having. I was raised in the 60's and 70's. While my Mom prepared some processed and refined foods, we rarely had frozen meals. I've had a harder time making the shift to frozen vegetables from canned, but I'm getting there!

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Posts: 8,104
5/12/12 7:06 A

I grew up during the time when every mother thought eating pre-made foods (heat n' serve) were good for you, the 1950's & '60's.

current weight: 236.0

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220

SparkPoints: (5,663)
Fitness Minutes: (954)
Posts: 70
5/11/12 7:24 P

You are lucky!

Pounds lost: 8.2

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SparkPoints: (93,896)
Fitness Minutes: (116,544)
Posts: 18,700
5/11/12 7:22 P

I have to say there is no real "point" at which I started "clean eating" My parents grew me up with a pretty healthy childhood. No processed foods, sugary cereals, white bread, etc. So, I guess I've allays been a clean eater who doesn't know any better. lol
However, when I do eat the "toxic" foods, I ABSOLUTELY notice how crappy it makes me feel.

Pounds lost: 23.0

0 8.75 17.5 26.25

35

SparkPoints: (5,663)
Fitness Minutes: (954)
Posts: 70
5/11/12 4:57 P

1. I had a massage last week and noticed it didn't hurt like it used to.
2. I can take a very deep breath without feeling constricted.
3. I have less joint pain.
4. More energy and a greater feeling of well-being.
5. I never have heartburn or reflux.
6. It's much easier to sit up straight, and easier to stretch.
7. I don't have food (i.e. sugar/starch) cravings.
8. I do get hungry and feel free to choose clean food, think about balance without grabbing the first thing at hand, so I've lost that frantic feeling.

Anyone want to add theirs?
-Shelley

Pounds lost: 8.2

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