The term "clean eating" has been popular in fitness circles for a long time. It generally refers to a diet low in fat, salt, glycemic carbs, and processed foods. While there are variations in this definition, the idea is to eat whole, unprocessed foods that are low in calories and high in nutrients.

While this diet can be an effective template for fat loss, it may not be sustainable or appropriate for muscle gain. The restriction of tasty foods and the limited intake of salt and fat can reduce adherence and unnecessarily limit people from fitting real-world foods into their lives.

In reality, the total influence of food composition only accounts for a 5% difference in fitness outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to focus on hitting your macro and calorie targets, rather than eating "clean" foods exclusively. If eating processed foods helps you meet your goals and improve adherence, it is a better choice than adhering to a 100% clean diet that is unnecessarily difficult.

The ideal approach is to strike a balance between healthy, whole foods and tastier processed foods to achieve some of the more challenging calorie increases. By doing so, you can fuel your body with essential nutrients while still enjoying the foods you love.

In conclusion, clean eating is not a one-size-fits-all solution for optimal fitness. While it can be an effective template for fat loss, it may not be suitable for muscle gain or sustainable in the long run. Instead, focus on hitting your macro and calorie targets and striking a balance between healthy, whole foods and tastier processed foods to achieve your goals and optimize your fitness outcomes.