Lean Eating: more than a trend
Fitness-oriented eating has become a trend over the last decade. It has been associated with the concept of “lean eating”. Although there is no official definition as to what “lean eating” actually means, we’ll guide you through the basics!
The basis of a lean diet consists in choosing whole foods in their least processed states, leaving fast food and the kinds of processed foods that fill the shelves of supermarkets today aside. Choosing between vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, dairy products, nuts, seeds and high-quality animal and vegetable proteins is what this eating model is really about, and has ensured it a following of hundreds of thousands of athletes around the world.
Sounds healthy and effective, doesn’t it? But you have to know how to face the extremes. Many crusaders of athletic eating advocate for avoiding absolutely all traces of added sugar, corn syrup, preservatives and colourings along with artificial flavours and other additives. An admirable attitude? Absolutely. Alas, too strict for most people. Many wellness bloggers and so-called influencers advocate for various brands of food extremism, yet they have no nutritional evidence to back up their promises. There is no documented evidence to support the theory that maintaining absolute celibacy and abstinence from what we could call “forbidden foods” will change your life or cure your health problems.
However, on the up side, more and more food companies are picking up on this trend and using it to create positive messages in their marketing campaigns, such as “food should be healthy” or “avoid ingredients you can’t pronounce”. It’s really about teaching consumers to embrace foods that are free of chemical substances, inviting them to learn about organic agriculture.
If you are a Fitness lover, you should know that a “lean” diet consists of following a diet based on fruits, vegetables and whole grains, in which healthy fats and proteins of animal origin are also integrated, while you cut down on sugar and ultra-processed foods.
You should also know that, according to various interpretations of an athletic diet, diet plans should be rigid and prohibit foods such as processed cereals (especially those containing gluten), as well as soybeans, legumes, and dairy products. Such interpretations are not supported by research, and may lead to nutrition deficiencies. In some cases, athletic eating based on rigid forms and interpretations can become an obsession that leads to disorderly eating.
CONCLUSION:
There is a real benefit to eating whole and minimally processed foods, but there shouldn’t be any fear connected to consuming other foods that are also nutritious. Since many people perceive that “lean” food is safer and of higher quality, food companies are beginning to put “certified healthy” labels on processed foods, although there is no real definition behind these certificates.
Choose your meals from the point of view of “logical” or “sensible” eating, and according to your needs and those of your family, work and social commitments. Even the less extreme version of healthy eating requires cooking most meals at home, which is not feasible for everyone nowadays, unless you are a competition athlete.