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Nutrition as Religion
Nutrition | April 30, 2015
Every now and then I’ll post a recipe or a dietary suggestion only to be criticized as ignorant or foolish by someone for promoting a specific type of food or dietary approach. I understand that some of these people may have good intentions, but their criticisms aren’t always very rational.
Diets can really be the equivalent of religious beliefs sometimes. People often advocate and defend their diets with as much screaming and shouting as a religious fanatic. And, of course, everyone thinks they are right. If you happen to dare suggest something that may not be allowed in their current diet or goes against their dietary perspective they sometimes get a bit crazy and break out their pitchforks. Honestly, I’m amazed at how harsh and personal people can get!
There are so many different diets out there, that it can be dizzying. Add to that the various claims and studies that supposedly back up any given diet and it can be enough to literally drive someone crazy. For example, when people argue that such and such diet is ‘most natural’ or what ‘cavemen and women ate’ I have to laugh a little. If we’re really going for genetic ancestry to support our dietary claims why stop at Neanderthal? How about the Chimpanzee Diet or, better yet, The Bigfoot Diet? 🙂
While I think it’s important to always link up studies and research as much as possible, I also try to be cautious about making outrageous claims. I try to share things that have worked for me personally and what I’ve learned through the many years of nutrition education and practice. Ultimately, it comes down to what works for you and what makes you feel the best from the inside out. If a specific diet works for you and you’re seeing results, stick to it! Some people feel better after avoiding gluten, some people avoid coffee because they don’t like the jittery feeling, and of course there are a lot of different food allergies that affect people’s diet too. If you feel like experimenting with your nutrition by trying something different with a recipe or plan then I recommend you go for it and see how it makes you feel. Of course all of your personal nutrition practices should match up with your physical activity level. You can’t just eat like a caveman and expect to get results if you’re not hunting and gathering like the cavemen did.
What just about all of us can agree on is that moderation is essential for any diet to be successful and having a variety of different foods is most beneficial. We can also agree that the less processed the food the better and that refined sugars are usually more harm than good. We may not always agree on the particulars of what exactly to eat, when to eat, or how much calories to eat but we can agree on some basic principles that are applicable whether or not we are following a vegan diet, paleo diet, Atkins diet, raw diet, etc.
What are your thoughts on criticizing other people for their dietary choices? Can’t we all just get along! 🙂
Private Member |
well, I think that every comment and critic – both positive and negative- is useful. it makes are think, learn and look for answers. However, those individuals that aggressively defend and promote their diets, in my opinion, are just hiding (trying to hide) their lack of knowledge on the subject. at least that is my experience with them. They usually lack answers to questions asked regarding their diets- and then they turn to raising their voices…even shouting and throwing their hands in the air (pretty much acting like monkeys!). well, that is sad.
Private Member |
uk
I was going to comment on this but I’m way too tired today:) So all Im going to say is that I love the picture on top of the article. It makes me want to go and meditate:) Cau.
Private Member |
Good Morning Zuzka, I”m a Twin, what works for my twin sister does not always work for me, You’d think being twins the same thing would work. The fact is we are all different. And as our bodies change & age, so does our diets. We need to understand that & keep educating ourselves. We need to know our own bodies better than our primary doctor. I love your recipes and your comments, crazy about your workouts. Your a true person, don’t allow people to change that. (Opinion’s are like under pits, and we all have one)
Private Member |
Well, I kinda agree, with a few exceptions. Criticism is not rational only if the information comes from a human that does not know the field and claims false truths. Sometimes we think we know something because we study and do research on it – “research” meaning a lot of reading. It works for us, we have seen results, we have practiced it for years – those are typical claims. There are tons of nutrition programs that can certify people to become “nutritionists” and some folks just self claim themselves to be nutritionists because they are interested in nutrition and feel that they have a good grasp of the issue. 99% of these programs are not accredited and they promote their own truths although it might not seem so to us. It only becomes a problem when a person, who has a big influence on others, decides to share things because it works for him/her (or there are money involved, like in case of Dr Oz). Studied nutritionists need a Bc and a Ms in nutrition, possibly a Phd if interested. Besides many biochemical things and other medical nutrition stuff we study how to not promote things that just work for us (because that’d be just a bias). Let me state an example: i would not be allowed to say to someone not to drink milk just because I do not believe it is healthy. I do not have enough knowledge about the issue because there has not been enough objective research done, so i cannot legally suggest this to my clients. we are trained to be as objective as possible using biochemistry to try to reason the effects of foods, not personal experience with the food. gut microflora is different in each person.
“There are so many different diets out there, that it can be dizzying. Add to that the various claims and studies that supposedly back up any given diet and it can be enough to literally drive someone crazy.” The problem about this is that people cannot read science. As soon as someone uses big scientific words they think that it totally makes sense and fall for it. they are just not trained to know how to do research.
Private Member |
Well said. It’s sad that our culture encourages people to be so obsessed with and militant about their food choices, while the Internet encourages such disrespectful and appalling behavior. Chill out, people!
Private Member |
Hi Zuzka and all ZWarriors!
I have tried many tipes of diet.. I’ve read a lot about nutrition.. I’ve been experimenting with myself.. and you know what?! There is nothing like listening to your body, what works for me is not what works for you.
Feel good about yourself and nourish your body with good foods, that make you feel great. Your body tells you what he loves, by making you feel amazing, listen to it! Be reasonable, be conscient and most of all, respect yourself and others, no matter what their choices.
Kisses and wish you all a fantastic weekend!
Private Member |
I love your recipes and I have been trying all your suggestions! What I like is that you understand that you don’t need to cut out EVERYTHING! For example, you use agave and people are acting like it is the end of the world. It is not like people need to cut out ALL sugar out of their diets to achieve optimal health– and you’re a testament to that! Keep the recipes coming!!!!!!!!!!!
Private Member |
I believe every person has the right to find their own way. For me, it’s been a process of evolving as I learn and try to find what works best for me. I think a great first step is to begin to become in tune to the things you eat and what effects they have on you. …e.g. did it leave me feeling bloated, hungry, anxious, satisfied….am I already hungry 1/2 hour later?
I think judging others doesn’t serve me in any positive way. Therefore, I am trying to not do this.
Private Member |
Amen Sister! Hallelujah for touching on all those important issues that surround dietary choices. I totally agree and believe in your points. Bless your sweet soul! I’m am not just being facetious, but also support your assertions.
Private Member |
Hi again everyone! Fun fact: guess what amount of animal protein a cow can eat every day… and the response is… 2 to 4 pounds 😀 . The cow has a huge amount of prokaryote (bacteria, no cell nucleus) and protozoa feeding on the bacteria, all this wonderful little ecosystem living in its five compartment stomach. And she “eats” many of them every day. By the way a cow produces between 40 and 150 liters (10-45 gallons) every day to regulate the development of its micro-meat factory.
Ok i should have said that’s it’s a fun fact especially if you’re a biologist, but i love to tell this one so much, especially when people are eating ^^