Yes, it's okay to eat a Vitamuffin

Published 17 January 08 10:38 PM | Trish

I want to take a minute and clear up some confusion about eating plans here at PnP.  A very common phrase we toss around is "clean eating."  This means eating pretty much only "whole" foods and very little, if any, processed foods.  Many of us who've been at this a while have moved into this eating style.

That last sentence is very important - I'm going to repeat it (that's how important it is!!): 

Many of us who've been at this a while have moved into this eating style.

Did you notice what I highlighted?  

See, many of us "oldies" started on some type of diet plan, such as Weight Watchers.  Most of us started off by using the 100 calorie packs, the 94% FF pop corn, the skinny cows, the vitamuffins and so on to help us change our eating habits.  We didn't just wake up one day and go whole-hog "clean." 

It's a process and not everyone follows this style of eating.   

Some of us have certain dietary restrictions or allergies or sensitivies.  Some of us just can't face life w/o a latte (or a vitamuffin.  Hey, I love them!!)

And they can all work, as long as you keep the overall calories for your goals (weight loss, maintenance, etc.) in mind.

Yes, we do advocate eating clean because it is a healthy way to eat.  But it's not the only way and you should not feel you have to adapt to this style in order to be successful.   

 

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Comments

# Becca said on January 17, 2008 09:59 PM:

amen!!! i am the girl that can't give up the coffee :)

i have noticed that when i first started here, i did see all the "clean" eating and was first worried i wouldn't be able to fit here at pnp but than i learned that  its ok to have a 100 calorie pack here and there but its best to fill yourself full of food healthy foods than 2-3 bags of 100 calorie packs :)

# Dawn said on January 17, 2008 10:31 PM:

I have learned that you have to do what fits your lifestyle and what will fit your lifestyle FOREVER.  I eat clean, at least what I consider clean the majority of the time but I still eat a fiber one bar here here and there and a 100 cal kettle popcorn pack.  But it has worked for me and I can live with it and that is what is important.   Very well said Trish!  

# Corinne said on January 18, 2008 05:50 AM:

I totally agree with this. I had my share of Light Lays, Skinny Cow's, and other goodies when I first started. Even now I eat things not so clean when I need a fix.

I think what this whole lifestyle has taught me over time is that my menu should reflect my goals. I try to eat as many fresh things as I can but when I have days where I want "treats" I don't reach for a candy bar. I have a protein bar. If I want chips, I have some baked Lays with my Subway or I eat Soy Crisps instead of a large fry.

Calories are always king when losing weight. That's the one thing we all know. After that, it's how often you eat them. Next is what kind of calories you consume and then you get into your macros. It's a process and the further down the trail you go the more you are prepared to make changes.

But, in the end, you have to do what YOU KNOW YOU CAN DO the rest of your life. Even clean eating can be a quick fix if you aren't prepared to commit to it. So, I think we all lose our weight the way we know we can live our life. :) If that means a WW Fudge Bar before bed every night then that's the way it is. :)

# Candace said on January 18, 2008 08:26 AM:

Thanks for the post. I read in many journals girls beating themselves up over silly things. Last night I had a piece of cake my girls made for hubby's birthday. I recorded it and moved on. It fits within MY points for the day/week and I am still on MY plan of WW. It is not clean and I won't have other 'treats' this week, but we all have to live a little during this journey. I'm a firm believer in having certain things in moderation regularly so you don't go over-board with cravings all of a sudden - that's what leads to binge eating, etc. I have also found that over time my tastes have changed and I don't need the salty or sweet treats like I used to. I'd much rather have cottage cheese and blueberries on toast now than whip cream and blueberries on a waffle - that's just progress.

# Buckeye said on January 18, 2008 08:54 AM:

I totally agree Trish! The one thing I have found since leaning toward as clean eating as possible, is that I have so fewer cravings then before. I am not eating weird, hard to find foods-just whole foods that I enjoy. I have noticed from everyone's journals that we all have different clean "staples"- healthy choices that we enjoy.

Thanks for your thoughts again Trish!

# ShellyInMN said on January 18, 2008 02:12 PM:

Just want to pipe in my 2 cents here. I joined WW back in June, started out on Flex eating as I normally did. After a few weeks, I just felt bad (tired, low energy, and hungry a lot). I knew this wasn't how I was supposed to feel losing weight! I then read more about the Core plan and decided to give it a try, slowing incorporating more unprocessed, whole foods into my daily diet. It does take some getting used to and it does require a lot more planning, but I feel so much better now that I've cut a lot of processed foods from my diet. My habits and tastebuds didn't change overnight, however. In fact, it's only now that I'm finally feeling good about my eating choices. . .more than 8 months after first joining WW. Don't get my wrong, I still eat things that aren't considered clean (hey - we all do!), but I use it as once-in-a-while treat and make sure I account for it in my daily calories.

Trish and Corinne and others have nailed it - you do what works for you now. As long as you are satisfied with your choices and they fit within your daily calorie range - you'll do just fine.