Smoothy Slim
Photo by Karolina Grabowska Pexels Logo Photo: Karolina Grabowska

Can you gain weight on a clean diet?

A common misconception is that “clean food” cannot make you fat and calories do not matter as long as you eat healthy. The truth is any kind of food, no matter how “clean”, can cause weight gain.

Are pickled beets as healthy as regular beets?
Are pickled beets as healthy as regular beets?

Pickled beets are a convenient alternative to fresh beets. They're rich in nutrients and offer many of the same health benefits as their fresh...

Read More »
What can you add to warm water to burn fat?
What can you add to warm water to burn fat?

You could also add sliced cucumber, mint leaves or grated ginger. Just add them to a glass of water at night itself so that the juices get infused...

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

“Clean eating” is being thought of as a vital part of developing a lean, muscular body. It shouldn’t be though, and here’s why. From diet books to your Instagram feed, this culinary cult seems to be everywhere lately. There are more than 32 million images on Instagram alone tagged #eatclean, enticing followers with black bean fudge cakes and spiralizers. The trend extends to supermarkets, where gluten-free food is soaring and sales of avocados, once a rare treat, have quadrupled since the year 2000.

How your body changes once you start eating healthy

WHAT IS CLEAN EATING, REALLY?

There are many definitions of clean eating. Put simply, “clean eating” is about eating whole foods, or “real” foods — those that are un- or minimally processed, refined, and handled, making them as close to their natural form as possible. Among Clean Eating recipes, you’ll find a lot of whole grains, fruits & vegetables, lean protein and a low amount of fat & oils. To be clear, the eating clean lifestyle has many good points. No doubt, any diet that encourages you to eat real, unprocessed food is a step in the right direction. As I write this I’m sitting here sipping on a banana-mango smoothie I made in my beloved blender. While I’m a big advocate of eating nutritious food, solely eating “clean” will not guarantee weight loss.

A common misconception is that “clean food” cannot make you fat and calories do not matter as long as you eat healthy. The truth is any kind of food, no matter how “clean”, can cause weight gain. You ask why?

The answer is fairly simple: calories. In terms of body composition, changes occur as a result of total calorie, protein, carb and fat intake. Fat loss is ultimately about calories in versus calories out. Therefore reaching your goals not only depends on what you eat but also on how much you eat. When it comes to smoothie bowls, I often go overboard with my toppings adding everything I can possibly find in my kitchen. Granola, coconut flakes, goji berries, chia seeds… The list goes on. What is important to realize is that those are not “free” calories. A whole avocado, for example, has about 320 calories, making it one of the most calorie-rich choices you can get. Even though healthy, if consumed in excess, can cause you to experience a weight loss plateau or even weight gain. So remember that next time you start to load your Buddha bowl. Many people on raw food diets report an increase in their weight. Because this new “healthy” lifestyle doesn’t come with any restrictions on portion sizes, many claim it made them overeat. Smoothies are an easy way to overshoot your daily calorie need. Once everything is whizzed up in your blender, it’s difficult to know how many calories there are in your smoothie.

So how sugary is your favorite fruit?

What tea helps with weight loss?
What tea helps with weight loss?

green tea Some of the best teas for weight loss are green tea and oolong tea, which help you metabolize fat. ... Here's a look at six types of tea...

Read More »
Is rice kanji good for weight loss?
Is rice kanji good for weight loss?

Weight loss: Kanji is a low-cal dish that keeps you feeling satiated for a longer period of time unlike regular rice. This is also because of the...

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

All values are for one piece of fruit unless specified, and the figures in brackets show the equivalent amount of sugar.

Orange: 3.6g (over 1/2 tsp)

Five strawberries: 4g (1 tsp)

Banana: 5.5g (1 tsp)

Small mango: 6g (1 tsp)

Kiwifruit: 3g (over 1/2 tsp)

Granny Smith apple: 8g (11/2 tsp)

Large bunch (500g) grapes: 39g (nearly 8 tsp)

As you see, it’s good to be mindful of why you might not want to make smoothies as part of your daily diet.

THE GOOD SIDE OF EATING CLEAN

While eating clean could still cause you to gain weight, going over your daily calorie intake is less likely than if you were eating highly processed food. This is because fresh, natural foods tend to be more satisfying than processed ones and so help to prevent hunger that leaves you reaching for another snack. And that means more calories and less weight loss. The way foods are processed in our bodies affect how hungry we feel and therefore have a potential indirect side effect on our calorie intake. Clean foods are rich in nutrients such as protein and fiber. These slow the breakdown of sugar into the bloodstream, keeping you fuller for longer. In contrast, highly processed foods contain very few nutrients, lots of fat and added sugars. These are absorbed rapidly providing a short-lived burst of energy, followed by a sudden drop in your blood sugar level. This, in turn, leaves you hungry and tempted to snack.

LEARN TO LOVE LEGUMES

An example of clean food that is incredibly filling includes legumes. The legume class is very broad, encompassing about 13,000 varieties of beans, peas, and lentils. Legumes are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. This makes them a highly satisfying food, making you feel fuller for longer. Legumes are relatively cheap and adding them to your healthy eating plan is super easy.

SO WHAT’S THE KEY TO NOT GAINING WEIGHT ON “CLEAN FOODS”?

Although clean eating can help you choose healthy foods, you still need to pay attention to your portion sizes to create a deficit. Deprivation is not our thing. Losing weight over the long-term is all about balance and moderation. Those on restrictive plans find it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight and are more likely to overeat. When planning a healthy diet, balance, moderation, and variety are key! Remember, life is too short not to treat yourself once in a while!

Is Raw beetroot good for you?
Is Raw beetroot good for you?

Beetroots and beetroot juice have been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increased...

Read More »
What are the benefits of eating beetroot everyday?
What are the benefits of eating beetroot everyday?

9 Impressive Health Benefits of Beets Many nutrients and few calories. ... Could help keep your blood pressure in check. ... Can improve athletic...

Read More »
Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat
Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
What is the best time of day to eat oatmeal?
What is the best time of day to eat oatmeal?

There is no particular time to eat oats. You can consume the oats at lunch and dinner too. This cereal, however, is consumed in breakfast mostly....

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Is Cinnamon an anti-inflammatory?
Is Cinnamon an anti-inflammatory?

Studies show that this spice and its antioxidants have potent anti-inflammatory properties ( 9 , 10 ). The antioxidants in cinnamon have anti-...

Read More »