Diet and Exercise Cults

I rented a book from the library, “Diet Cults,” and started reading it a few nights ago, and it was eye opening and has been hard to put down.

The first few chapters talked about the history of diets, and how people will adopt a particular way of eating as “The One True Way,” and then typically discard any other way.  They do this because “it gives them a sense of identity and a feeling of belonging.”

What’s really fascinating is how this type of food segregation is human nature, as it has always been around, starting with the avoidance of certain foods, and/or preference towards others as a part of a cultural identity:

Today the most popular diet cult with the most rabid following is probably PALEO, (but it switches every few years).  A decade ago it may have been “the South Beach Diet.”  Two decades ago it may have been “Weight Watchers.” Almost five decades ago “the Atkins Diet.” (though popularized in the 80’s and 90’s it’s been around since 1972).

This is seen with exercise too; lately it’s Crossfit, (often paired with PALEO) but just like with diets, it’s always been that way with exercise preference, just with different variations.

Sidenote: every time I hear or see the word PALEO, an image of Rob Riggle doing a “GRONK” impersonation at the “ESPY’s” comes to mind:

Though Crossfit has the most cultish following today, for years before that, (maybe centuries) martial arts has the same kind of rabid insistence that whatever style someone was practicing was far superior to any other.

When I first started to practice martial arts in 1998, there was the exact same thing going on with various styles of martial arts, and the constant attack and defense of one martial art being superior or inferior to another.  It was almost a weekly conversation, talking of the merits of one style over another, and the reasons why.

Whatever style of martial art someone happened to be practicing was always superior to a differing style, even if that style had never been practiced; and there was always compelling reasons for why each style was better than the other.

So with all the options out there, and such strong opinions, what is The One True Way?

The book goes on to say the vast majority of people on any of these diets eventually end up gaining whatever weight lost, (and then some).  So a specific diet, no matter which one it is, isn’t ideal for long term success.  (Just don’t try telling that to someone who’s doing any current fad diet, as you may be assaulted).

It more comes down to healthy traits.  Two of the traits of people who kept weight off long term were regular exercise, and weighing themselves consistently.

So it seems the best path towards health is the simplest; a healthy balance of not eating too much of anything bad, and engaging in a regular exercise program.

What’s a piece of diet advice you’ve heard someone speak of matter of factly, but immediately questioned the truthfullness of the statement?

P.S.

Speaking of diets..A hugely unfortunate aspect of diets is that some healthy foods are often erroneously vilified..like The Mighty Potato.

Which is unfortunate because recipes like this Parmesan Roasted Red Potatoes recipe from Diane’s Kitchen which was made last night would otherwise be missed out on.  This was super good, and rave reviews all around.