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Hello,
I’m a lurker on your website and I was just reading your “clean eating” post. You mentioned that you can eat a large quantity of clean food and be satisfied and healthy. Would you mind sending me a sample of what a day might look like? I really want to focus on eating MORE, cleaner foods rather than limiting foods for general health. Thanks! I appreciate everything you do on your blog!

How nice is that? People often ask me why I do this site (people are odd) and it is for reasons like that final sentence above.

And the fact that I get/receive far more motivation, information, and energy from you all than I give (for recent evidence see this post).

With regards to the food question, while I’ve talked about what a typical breakfast is for me more than a few people have emailed asking what an entire day might look like.

Please to remember that this is merely what *I* do and there is absolutely zero science behind it or recommendation that you should do the same. Im a poster child for nothing.

Disclaimer aside, here is my Monday. It’s fairly illustrative of how I eat during the week in general (read: fast, on-the-go but clean)

Get up at crack of dawn and grab a cup of what is ideally decaf but is, realistically,mostly regular with a smattering of decaf grounds thrown in to make me feel virtuous.

work for a while.

force arse to climb on stationary bike (Im just in the habit of doing my cardio on an empty stomach. I dont think Id do this if I did it later in the day)

meal 1: listed here

meal 2: can of tuna (the large family size kind with 5 servings. I know. lecture me about the mercury in the comments.) and a couple of rice cakes eaten whilst chasing daughter around/coloring on floor.

meal 3: usually out somewhere so it depends on that. yesterday it was the innards of a turkey sandwich (left the bread), salad and fruit.

meal 4: beef jerky. 2 cannisters of my addiction.

meal 5: trail mix and a bag of my other addiction: Kays Naturals Gluten-free Cereal.

meal 6: 2 cold chicken breasts/raw veggies

meal 7 (husband worked late) Met-rx shake with him while he ate his dinner.

Quite frankly Im not sure this is of any help, emailer, is it?

In that it definitely gives a sense of what my day is like foodwise (some days the meal out would be a couple of chicken breasts (buns tossed to birds) on a salad or the tuna would be replaced by poached-previously salmon but it’s all fairly similar during the week) but they are foods that I *love* in the sense that I never feel deprived.

That, in my mind, is the key. People often compliment me on my will power and I always respond that I love what Im eating—-if I felt I needed will power I wouldnt do it.

(the oddest thing to me was this remark was most recently made by a friend after I had a meal of shrimp cocktail, grilled fish, a salad and a bountiful berry medley (their words) for dessert. Fo’ sho’ didnt feel deprived, but I digress….)

What wont I do? BE HUNGRY.

Which, as a long way of not really answering your question too coherently, is why I typically eat fairly clean.

Question? Insights? Wanna lecture me on why I never, ever should eat the albacore?

Hit me up in the comments.

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Comments

  3. My problem with tuna is I don’t really like it without mayo and sweet pickle relish, so it ends up being a bit junkier than the straight-outa-the can version.

    But I’ve switched from the albacore to the cheaper kind ’cause I read somewhere there’s less of a mercury issue. Don’t know it that’s still the current thought though.

    Thanks to the insight into your meals–some great ideas there!

  4. JC? *plain* chipper bites.
    More than you ever wanna know about them/jerky coming soon as well.

    Crab? You’re right on with the cheaper kind being better. I just can’t do it….gets my GAG reflex going.

    I’d estimate I’m about 20% MizFit and 80% mercury at this point.

    (*wink*)

    M.

  5. Thank you for a peek into your daily eating world.

    Maybe the mercury gives you those awesome arms!

    Love the 20% MizFit – 80% mercury!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    How do you eat tuna plain? I want to do it so bad but have to have mayo. Maybe since I have not had tuna in a while (and i just bought some cuz craving it) I will just eat it plain and see if I forget what mayo tasted like…….will keep you posted, cuz i know you are going to be on the edge of your seat waiting *wink*

  6. Julie?
    sit down.
    this is going to horrify you (and the greater YOU. the ROYAL you as well Im sure.):

    I empty can in bowl.
    sprinkle with some pepper.
    pop in microwave for 20 seconds.
    throw a few rice cakes on top.
    (don my running shoes/follow Tornado around domicile)
    and EAT.

    (so? did you throw up a little bit in yer mouth? I live to serve.)

    M.

  7. 7 meals…wow. just wow. I love tunafish, too – but I throw in a cut-up hard-boiled egg (i have good cholesterol) and a little bit of mayo.
    Have I ruined it? 🙂

  8. You wrote:
    lecture me about the mercury in the comments

    Well, this does bring up the question of the definition of “eating clean.” People seem to mean different things when they use the phrase, so it ends up meaning nothing except “I eat better than you.”

    Now, I don’t think you tend to have that kind of attitude in general. But commenters are claiming that mayo (oil and eggs) isn’t clean, yet you are saying that tuna with mercury is clean. It is a confusing term.

  9. FAB POINT Anne.

    for me it is about what *I* like and what works to keep ME energized (I eat one granola bar and end up either eating the rest of the box outta sugar love or THINKING about eating the rest of the box as I loll on the couch in a post-sugar high haze).

    the word clean? I only use it as a blanket term when people ask.

    since there is no simple “I DO ATKINS!” or “South Beach ALL THE WAY, People” answer for me to give.

    and mayo? (was about to post this to shelley as you are right on with regards to it being the COMMENTERS and not MizFit) a *personal* gag reflex trigger.

    from youth.

    as in Id starve before Id ever eat a turkey sandwich with mayo on it…or at least scrape the bread with vigor 🙂

    not at *all* about the health up in herre with that one.

    THANKS SO MUCH for taking the time to respond–I appreciate it.

    M.

  10. Ignoring the fact that the vegetarian in me just passed out, Anne makes a good point about the ambiguity of the word “clean” when applied to food. For instance, for me “clean eating” means nothing artificial – no preservatives, no additives and def. no nitrates! So that would rule out your jerky/chippers/rice cakes/cereal/lunch meat & Met-RX shake – at least in my book.

    Do you mean “clean” in the sense of no refined sugars/flours?

    Have I just annoyed the crap out of you?? I hope not! I am just genuinely interested (and totally NOT judging, I promise) of people’s varying definitions of “clean eating.”

  11. Not at ALL Charlotte!

    for me it’s striving to do FEWFEW preservatives.

    eating things in as natural a state as I can given my lifestyle and the fact I refuse to obsess and FALLING short on a daily basis!

    how I eat and what I eat is such a tiny part of who I am.

    I strive to be as healthy as I can but definitely err on the living life and eating on the fly the majority of the time.

    Im a role model for none and yet, hope by my being NORMAL, a role model for one (two? who can say :))

    M.

  12. I have the same sort of “definitions” as Charlotte. As for the mercury? For some reason, its not such a big deal to me. If I were pregnant I think I’d abstain from the tuna. But otherwise, I love it and its wonderful (now I’m thinking about yummy tuna and hummus toasted sandwiches…).

    I love your attitude towards eating what you enjoy and not being hungry or depriving yourself- thats definitely super important! Thanks for posting what you eat; its very useful:)

  13. great post!
    i love tuna as well…..but ALWAYS with mayo!:)
    i’m glad people got the clean discussion going. it can mean so many things…… for me, it is trying to eat less processed food.
    thanks for putting your “day” out there. i think just seeing that someone in great shape like you actually eats a fair amount IS being a great role model.
    think there will be a run everywhere on tuna today?? got mine at the big box yesterday!:)
    cheers!

  14. Ok, that sounds like a lot of food. A lot of good food. I can’t tell you how helpful this is. (er…except I just did 😉 ) I’m am stuck in the rut of “To lose weight/eat healthy, I have to be hungry. I hate being hungry, therefore I won’t lose weight.” It’s idiotic, I know.

    http://doesthisblogmakeuslookfat.com

  15. Learn to love healthy foods. That’s the only way to go. It probably took me a year to “clean” up my nutrition and learn to appreciate it. And that’s coming from someone who still indugles in various sweets…and beer.

  16. As long as the “Mercury” is the last name of the greatest Singer EVER, I am all in.

    Tuna *Blech* Hate it! Salmon, Love it.

  17. (L? I moved this here so other people could see…in case they didnt check the old post!)


    L Says:
    May 14th, 2008 at 9:44 am e

    Healthy quick Chocolate (pan)Cake:
    half cup whole wheat flour
    tablespoon sugar
    tablespoon 100% cocoa powder
    ~2 tsp baking powder
    one egg white
    water
    mix everything up into a thick batter(add more water if needed) spray a nonstick small pan. pour entire batter in, cook for a couple minutes, flip, cook for 1 more minute, and enjoy! It tastes EXACTLY like gooey chocolate cake and is healthy a quick too! (you could do it without the chocolate and add cinnamon instead) the whole thing is around 300 calories.

    L.

  19. Mercury is not that big of a deal for me either, though I still have to have mine with mayo. It is low fat mayo, but still mayo. Thank you for sharing an example of your daily meals.

  20. Kelly? shall I mail you one of mine? 🙂

    I (and Im gonna drag CHARLOTTE in here as well) have an addiction to ironing sh*t on shirts.

    they need to have an intervention up in herre.

    M.

  21. M, I love that you posted your day…7 meals wowooza! that’s inspiring…I’m trying hard to go towards the 5-6 small meals a day concept so this is very helpful! and I second Kelly T, I’m a poster child for nothing….t-shirt making party soon?

  22. Definitely Creating!
    Because I was totally kidding about the fact I already have one which I wear around town (*runs to closet, yanks down tee, shoves in trashbin*).

    M.

  23. your post makes me realize just how UN-clean my own eating is! I love how you eat small protein rich meals all day long and never deal with hunger. i’m curious, have you always been able to eat this way? (because I am a severe carbo-holic and want to know if there is hope for me) ….now, where did i put that bread?

  24. WO Mommy?

    The short (thumbtyped version as I chase my child) answer?

    NO.

    The longer answer?

    coming in a viewer mail if I mightcould use your comment as a question?

    M.

  25. The Bag Lady just posted a picture of what she had for breakfast. Does that mean she is scraping the bottom of the “stuff to post about” barrel? Sigh.
    Your many meals sounds like something I could do…oh, wait, there’s no potato chips, greasy fried food, chocolate bars on your list….

  26. Okay, that’s a lot of food. I do about 5 meals a day, and don’t think I could squeeze in two more. Not that working in a virus lab makes eating easy during the day.

    I’m with Charlotte and Sagan about my own definition of clean eating, but I like that you are flexible and seem to realize that it’s hard to always fit those stringent definitions. Sometimes eating well is about eating as well as you (general you) can given your time/monetary/dietary limitations.

    And I must say, it seems I eat a fairly clean diet, full of mostly fruits and vegetables, and far less meat than you! And far more carbs than you!

  27. you should try to get sponsored by the tuna company. Maybe if you get their brand name tattoed across your bicep, they’ll give you a lifetime supply for all that free advertising?

    Ps I lost a smidge of respect for you upon reading that you eat warm, peppered, mayo-free tuna. Then again, I eat ice cream with blue swirls so who am I to judge?

  28. (As well you should, WeightingGame. And you caint even smell it. The things we do in the name of eating for energy. M.)

  29. The two things you said that I LOVE are:
    (1) Refuse to be hungry
    (2) Eat what you like

    I had some firsthand experience with that last week. Eating food you don’t really like just makes you miserable!

    I’m focusing on “clean” eating myself, which I define as food I made myself. I would consider a homemade piece of bread with real butter to be clean, while a “lowfat” cookie stuffed with artificial sweeteners wouldn’t be. Just to throw my $0.02 in…

  30. I’m feeling it, MizFit. I love my protein and veggies.

    Thanks for the run-down of your day. I’m fascinated by what other people eat.

  31. I love that you emphasized that eating has to fall in place with your life, not the other way around, and that you’re NOT defined by what you consume. You are a role model for a more balanced approach to food, like it or not!

  33. Well, I like my tuna with a lot of veggies, maybe some kalamatas, and some low fat Italian dressing. Sometimes toss that mess into spinach. The hot tuna did make me gag at bit. I try to keep the packaged foods down to a minimum. Like that package of Chia…hardly touched it at all!! LOL. Because I work with food all day…I often do NOT eat. Special kind of stupid… But now it’s time for dinner. Ginger glazed pork tenderloin, steamed broccoli, fruit salad, and some brown rice. Mmmmm.

  34. Over the years of eating what I like to call the fish group, Albacore has had the most consistent freshness and texture for a packaged fish snack. a bit of 0 Carb Mayo is fine.. just a dab that is.

    Stay Natura, Stay Strong.

    Jeff

  35. The ah-ha moment: when you said you eat what you love and never feel deprived! Even better that what you love is on the healthy side of the food spectrum! I think perhaps the taste buds prefer the cleaner foods after awhile than all the processed junk. There is hope for me! 🙂

    OK, here’s a weird one, as far as eating tuna goes:

    I like it with pepper, shredded cheddar cheese, heated in microwave, and rolled up in a ww tortilla. Add some BBQ sauce for fun. 🙂

  38. i like tuna straight out o the stay fresh pouch, but i don’t like “real” cooked tuna. but i like tuna sashimi. and i like salmon sashimi. cooked salmon? barf.

    as you can see, i like to be complicated.

    thanks for the peek into your day of meals!

  39. Ok, so I read this post this AM (it’s 9pm now) and yes, I thought about all that protein you eat and I tried to eat Tuna out of a can thrown on salad, and I couldn’t do it…NEEDS MAYO and Pickle before I will eat. So, made a salad and one slice of toast with tuna. Rachel’s style with thoughts of MizFit!

  40. Love all the varied thoughts on the clean eating. I aspire to eat things that have no preservatives and awful chemicals in them but how I love the random snack food like goldfish…Oh well, always something to work toward. I just did one set of the 21s and wowza, that is really a kick ass bicep work out. A lot harder than it sounds. Next time I will lower my weights and try to get more sets.

  41. That chocolate cake recipe has me very much desiring to make it. Two questions: is it cooked on the stove? and how much water do you put in it? Thanks:)

  42. Thanks for answering my question. Like someone else said, I find what other people eat very interesting. It’s definitely a very personal thing…so thanks, that is a great example.

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