Yes. You read that correctly. I hate the phrase clean eating. I cringe every time I read it or hear it. I know that many of you probably subscribe to the philosophy of clean eating and let me be clear. I do not hate the general idea of clean eating. I hate the phrase clean eating and how it has become such a thing.
I’m not exactly sure when the phrase clean eating became trendy, but it most definitely is now. Everyone is talking and writing about how they eat clean and on and on. So what does clean eating even mean? Well, the general concept means eating whole, unprocessed food but there is no one definition. Many people define clean eating to be eating a vegetarian or vegan diet or eating something more akin to the Whole 30. Like many things, it’s defined differently by different people. So why the hate? I’m totally down with eating real, unprocessed food. In fact, it’s something I strive for.
Remember, I said I hate the phrase clean eating, not the concept. I hate how so many healthy living bloggers talk incessantly about clean eating. I hate how the word clean is used. The implication, by default, is that everyone else is then what – dirty eating, eating dirty? Why is this phrase needed to reference eating a healthy diet? I’m not sure, but it’s everywhere and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon, I’m sure.
I don’t know quite why this particular phrase bothers me, but I really do cringe when I read it. I think part of the reason is it always comes off very high and mighty when someone is talking about how they “eat clean.” I mean, give me a break. Just say you try to eat a healthy diet and be done with it.
Am I the only one who is over the phrase “clean eating?” Tell me I’m not alone! [Tweet “weigh in – what do you think of the phrase clean eating?”]
Nooe, not just you. I hate it. Funny I tweeted about this a couple weeks ago and have a draft post in my queue. We’ve become so sensitized as a society and feel the need to label everything! And quite frankly some people’s instagram feeds make me sad.
Mar @Mar on the Run recently posted…Lindi Skin Review: Skincare on a Mission
Haha. Truth!!! Glad to know I’m not alone 🙂
You are not alone sister! Why is it always such a “thing” to have to label everything? At the same time, I can’t waste time letting other people’s needs to put labels on everything affect what I do or eat. Just keep on keeping on the best you can, and fight the good fight when it comes to making good choices. Or, like me, don’t get too down on yourself if you give in to that second scoop of Moose Tracks ice cream, lol!
Kimberley recently posted…Wonder Mutt Wednesday
Exactly. I strive to just do my best – with food and fitness. It’s not that complicated and I don’t need a new label 🙂 thanks for weighing in!
Definitely not the only one who cringes. I dislike it for the same reason that I dislike detoxes–it puts a negative connotation to your actions/food, and thus can lead to negative associations with the activities that surround it! LIke I don’t want to detox away my holidays! How about we just take care of ourselves and practice balance?
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Social Media Motivation + Nike Training Club Chicago
Your last sentence there is EVERYTHING! Thanks for weighing in, girl!!
OMG, This is SO True! Thank you for saying it out loud!
thanks for weighing in!
I am all for balance and wouldn’t want anyone else to feel bad about themselves or their eating. I aim to create healthy and “cleaner” recipes but I don’t use that phrase often and would never want to shove my philosophies down someone’s throat. We all have to make choices that work best for us and our families.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Whip Up A Healthy Banana Split with Yoplait + Giveaway
I am all for the concept – not all for the constant labeling of things and the idea that food is clean v. dirty. Thanks for weighing in!
Seriously. As if people walk around saying “I eat dirty”.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Catching up…
LOL – exactly!
I have never thought about it too much, but I do agree. Clean eating can mean different things to different people and I do think that it can be taken to an obsession. I think balance should be a part of clean eating…it is not wrong to have a cookie every once in awhile and you shouldn’t feel like you are not clean eating if you do. I am very much of the opinion that everyone can make there own food choices and no judgement…but people who don’t choose the same shouldn’t feel bad about it. I personally have not jumped on the no dairy diet and there are some that can be very opinionated about that…again, to each her own 🙂
Jen@milesandblessings recently posted…1st race of the season re-cap!
Yes, definitely to each her own. I just don’t like the implication that if you are not “eating clean” you are “eating dirty.” 🙂
Hmm I had to think about this for a minute- I definitely don’t find the term cringe inducing, but I do find the hype around it kind of annoying. It also makes me kind of sad that a diet rich with fruits and veggies and minimal of processed ingredients needs a name– shouldn’t broccoli just be food? Does it have to be “clean gluten free paleo broccoli?”
Ck @ cookIng up kefI recently posted…Opa Go Bragh– Irish Soda Bread, Greek Style
“Does it have to be “clean gluten free paleo broccoli?”” YES YES YES! 100% yes!
OMG – THIS!!!!!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Lindi Skin Review: Skincare on a Mission
I completely agree with you! I am a recent nutrition graduate, and all my friends ever ask me about are all the fad diets out there including clean eating. I think people need to stop trying to label what they are eating and just try to take a more wholesome approach with their foods. Eat more fruits and veg, lean meats and stop worrying about what to call it!
Your last sentence totally encapsulates how I feel!
Its difficult to keep up with all of the trend labeling when they’re constantly changing. Give the “clean eating” label another couple of months and before you know it there will be a new label trending.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…My Goals for Sunday’s Shamrock Half Marathon
I actually think this one will be around for awhile. It’s very trendy but something in me says that it’ll stick…
I haven’t really noticed it but I don’t think I go to a lot of food blogs because I’m more into fitness blogs for running and don’t look for food tips. I’m set in my ways with food and figure if my parents thought it was good to feed it to me as a kid, it can’t be all that bad. I have switched out a lot of sugar simply because I don’t crave it anymore, but I turned out well enough with what I eat. We’re a healthy family to begin with and they were feeding me before all the juices, detoxes, gluten free, organic or clean eating became fads.
Lesley recently posted…Sequels Fail
Exactly! I 100% agree with you!
I never really thought about it, but you have a REALLY good point! Thanks for bringing this up!
Amy @ Mama Running for God recently posted…Thinking Out Loud Thursday #6
Thanks for reading and weighing in!
Could not agree more. I especially hate when bloggers who have no credentials as nutritionists/dieticians other than reading a couple articles pass off “clean eating” advice as if they were experts. Drives me insane.
Colleen LG recently posted…Race Recap – DC Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon
OMG YES! I am not a fan of that AT ALL.
OMG I hate it too!!!!! It drive me crazy. It makes me think of cleaning my food with windex before eating it- EW! plus i think it gives people such a complex when picking their food, giving it the negativity because its not technically “clean”..in actuality food is fuel, and a treat is not going to hurt you. BALANCE is a lovely thing.
Katie @ Fit Life by katie recently posted…Workout Wednesday: Arm & Leg Circuit
YES! The implication that food is dirty and something to be ashamed of can be really detrimental to someone’s mindset. Thanks for weighing in!
It’s interesting that you say that, and i think that this is happening with a LOT of terms within the fitness industry as healthy living and working out is becoming a hugely popular. I think it’s just another one of those terms that people have continued to use excessively that it’s slowly losing it’s true value. I don’t hate the term ‘clean eating,’ but i think it’s used a little too loosely for my liking.
Beverley Cheng recently posted…Mayan Riviera Vacation
Thanks for weighing in – I am seeing it EVERYWHERE! 🙂
Courtney, just out of spite, I may have to take on this “eating dirty” concept – hahaha! 😉 I’m usually just hopeful that I have something in my kitchen that is CLEAN on which to eat my food, you know? Good grief. I do think it’s gotten out of hand; I love how people only post about the food they’re eating that’s “clean,” too. I rarely see one of these “clean” eaters talk about what they eat when they’re NOT eating “clean,” you know? Sheesh. Thanks for airing this out!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…The One That Got Away by Bethany Chase
Amen to just hoping there is something clean to eat ON! You crack me up!
HaHa! I’m on day four of a five-day “clean eating challenge” with some of my running friends and didn’t even bat an eye when my friend posted that she was trying to reset her eating habits and get back to eating healthier, and asked who wanted to join her. I guess the term didn’t bother me since I didn’t cringe; but I don’t really remember noticing the term being used that much.
I do remember two years ago when I felt like I was the only blogger not eating and talking about overnight oats!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Let This Be Me In 40 Years
hahahaha i used to eat overnight oats every morning for breakfast. now since i work from home i just heat them up 🙂
Ok, so I’m going to step on a soap box so get ready…
I’m really tired of all “healthy living” trends that plague social media. I don’t really label much in my life other than the basics – consultant, homeowner, daughter, girlfriend, puppy mom. To me, those things matter. Whether or not I’m a blogger, runner, clean eater, etc. don’t really matter that much. To me, it’s all things that happen to enhance the basic aspects of life. You know me, I love running. It’s done wonderful things for me…and my butt haha! 🙂 But running is MY thing. I don’t run for other people. I don’t run to post a photo on social media. And I generally feel the same way about food. I cook healthy meals because generally speaking that’s what I like to eat. It makes me feel good. I love to bake because I like to see people get excited when I have something yummy to share with a neighbor or at a work meeting. But really, I don’t give a rat’s behind if you made a shake with ice cream or vegan protein powder or spinach. I really don’t. And I don’t care if your diet is macrobiotic, clean, atkins, or the next fad. Enough with the self-agrandizing behavior on the internet. Can’t we all just live and not live to brag about it on the internet to random strangers?
Wow, I feel better. And sorry to go bananas on your blog post. I love it. I feel like we would be friends IRL. 🙂
Christine @ We run disney recently posted…Mental Stamina and some Tips from Jeff Galloway
When I first became vegan, social media was a godsend & made the transition so easy for me because I could see how other people ate, and I got a lot of recipes & tips from blogs. I even became a recipe tester for a cookbook series because of it! So maybe some of those sites aren’t bragging but instead showing examples that might help others. I think most of us in the running community eat well without really thinking about it, but there are lots of people who are clueless how to start. I know because they come to my Weight Watchers meetings & are surprised to learn basic things like that butter has calories, ha ha!
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Pittsburgh Marathon Runner Profile: Victor S.
Jennifer, I agree that there are a lot of people who are seeking information but I think what bugs me is that there really isn’t even any one definition of the word and folks act like it’s the be all end all. I think there is an undercurrent of judgment that I am bothered by too. Not by all, but definitely by some. Love this discussion, ladies!
AMEN, girl. AMEN. I LOVE this. It totally encapsulates how I feel. And OF COURSE we’d be friends IRL. Our fellas would prob be buds, too 🙂
Ha ha! I never thought of it, but I can see your point! I remember when I first heard the term I thought it was odd. Maybe it’s the adult version of a little kid’s t-shirt saying “I’m a good eater!”
Jennifer @ RUnning on Lentils recently posted…Pittsburgh Marathon Runner Profile: Victor S.
lol at that image!
I’m guilty every now and then of using that phrase, but I agree that it’s time for it to go. I feel like some people are very judgy about it as well; they give you the side-eye if you aren’t eating their version of “clean” and think they are sooooo much better because they eat “cleaner”.
The other word that needs to go is ‘Tone’… it drives me nuts!!
Amanda recently posted…Pittsburgh Marathon Training – Week 9
Yes, I think that’s what really gets my goat. The undertone of judgment when discussing how “clean” one’s meal is. Grr.
Well, I was about to start on my own tirade about this subject, since I am a “dirty eater” but I will refrain since my daughter said it so well a few comments above mine! I do consider myself to be a relatively healthy eater, but I don’t brag about it nor do I care what others choose to put in their mouths!
Pam recently posted…Mental Stamina and some Tips from Jeff Galloway
Exactly. I love kale as much as the next person. But OREO CUPCAKES…HELLO!! 🙂
I agree! And sometimes it makes me feel guilty for eating…not clean? dirty? I try to stick with whole, minimally processed foods, but sometimes I need to go out to dinner, for example, and just relax and enjoy everything in moderation.
megan @outlawontherun recently posted…Meals for the Week + Hip Issues
Exactly – that’s part of my distaste (no pun intended) for the phrase. The implication that the rest of us are eating dirty.
I wrote about this a bit ago. I won’t even read blogs or articles that use the phrase. Bring on the mud pies! 😉
Coco recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday (on Sunday)
Lol – I love your stance!
Love this. I have a similar pet peeve. I have a chemistry degree so I hate when companies make marketing claims that their products are “chemical free.” Oh really, what magical substance are they made of, then?
Kelli recently posted…Is It Friday Yet?
LOL – that is SO true!!
Interesting way to look at it, I guess I’ve never really thought about it that way.
I see it EVERYWHERE!
Amen! You know I am with you, this girl needs her TREATS!!!
My goal is to eat mostly healthy, treats in moderation.
I am still working on learning that moderation thing.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…5 Reasons I Accept Sponsored Posts
I just ate a cupcake. So there’s that. 🙂
Haha! I have been guilty of doing this a time or two in the past. I just like to refer to it as a healthy lifestyle now. I started noticing people had way different definitions for the term and since I am not a registered nutritionist, who am I to say what clean eating is you know?
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner recently posted…Friday Five: Spring Into Shape!
I could not agree more. When clean eating comes up, it often makes other people feel ‘guilty’ that they don’t eat those ‘clean’ foods.
Yes. It’s just an unnecessary label in my opinion!
I understand your point. I have a similar dislike to the word diet…when people say that “they are on a diet”. I just wish they would take a different perspective and understand that it is a lifestyle and the focus should be on a better balance to their diet…not an actual “diet”. When I hear those words, I just have to hope they can be successful with their goals and that they are not setting themselves up for disappointment in the long run.
Lee@tri*inspired*life recently posted…Training Update: Week of March 9
Yesss!!! Excellent post!
Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – Upcoming Spring Races
LOVE this. You are absolutely right – what is with the trendiness of using the word “clean”? There’s even a local gym near me whose slogan is “Eat clean, train dirty.” Not sure how I feel about that…
Cheers to eating a HEALTHY diet and to doing everything in moderation!
Emily @ Out and About recently posted…2 seconds of fame, and Friday favorites
Cheers to that!!
Yep – I’m with you all the way on this one! I have a friend at work who talks about clean eating and it really annoys me. Why can’t we just call it ‘eating’ and be done with it?!
Gill recently posted…Race recap – Run for the kids
Exactly! I 100% agree with your last sentence 🙂
The implication that any “treat” is considered dirty really grates on me. And anyone who claims they don’t eat cookies is either miserable, or a liar, or both 🙂
But that might be my own issues showing 😉
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…The Comparison Trap
Amen, girl! I’m right there with ya!
It IS such a weird phrase! I am consciously trying to say “eat healthy” or “eat nutritious foods” or something that just has more meaning.
Kate @KateMovingForward recently posted…Learning from Slipups and Week 7 Weight Watchers
YES! 100% – I like words that actually carry an accepted meaning!
So happy I found this article. I haven’t gone to Panera since they stated using that goofy term !
Thank you so much for this article.
Only 5.8% of the people in my state say they eat the recommended amount of produce daily. In fact only 12% EVER eat produce according to the polls they turned in. I tell myself that can’t be true…right? Anyway I don’t care what people call it. Our addiction to highly processed food is killing us. When I first started eating healthy and really thinking about what I was eating, I called it clean eating because that is how I heard it referred to/where I found information/recipes. Now I refer and think of it in the terms of eating whole foods. Mainly because ppl seemed to assume I didn’t eat gluten and things of that nature. Plus I found removing things like pasta to be too restrictive for me/didn’t want to get flack over it. Give me my whole wheat pasta and leave me alone 😉