Blog

0

I've read them all and they all come to different conclusions about overall health and weight. Oz, Eades, Mercola, Atkins, Campbell, Taubes, Stone, Peat, Sisson, Cordain, Wolf, Schwarzbein, Rosedale, WAPF/Fallon/Enid and all the famous blogs eg. Cheeselave, Livin' La Vida Low Carb, Kressler etc.

I've been vegetarian, vegan, raw vegan, low carb/low fat, low carb/high fat/high protein, low carb/high protein/low fat, gluten-free, low GI, blood type, metabolic type, all different types of hypothyroid diets, IBS diet, Leptin diet, GERD diet...you name it I've done it.

The longest I've stuck with any diet is pretty much a Primal (Sisson)/Gluten-Free diet as it seems to work the best for me with the exception of caffeine and a higher carb (rice/hemp/quinoa/chia/tapioca/potatoes/legumes) intake. No wheat/gluten.

But in the end I've decided once and for all that NONE of the diets above are 100% right for me.

It's really all about finding what works uniquely for you, your physiology, your mental state and for everyone it is different and always changing...because we age, because our daily activities and stress levels are all different, and the way we react to our environment, what we are exposed to, what we do, what we prefer, genetics, etc.

ANY of the above diet regimens will stop working over a course of time...and that's because the body changes all the time. We keep thinking that we will attain some kind perfect state of health through diet/nutrition but we NEVER WILL. We constantly strive for it but like everything the process is always changing. Not saying we have to give up but we need to be forgiving, less strict, give into cravings more, stress less and generally stop OBSESSING over every little symptom, and every single fucking blood test.

I have stopped dieting and making food evil. It stresses me out and I think the stress is what is the most detrimental to my health, not sugar, not grains, not carbs or PUFA's. As long as you don't overdo any substance you will be OK.

That's my "diet". Moderation of everything. Eat whatever the hell I want and don't overdo any of it. It's far too stressful thinking and preparing about what I have to eat. I'm just going to enjoy what I FEEL like EATING GODDAMMIT.

It is NOT all about nutrition. Health is also connected to the mental state. If you're chronically stressed out all the time, feeling anxious and negative, no amount of healthy nutrition is going to help. And what is HEALTHY nutrition anyway? NOBODY seems to be able to come a conclusion!!!

I am sick of reading about all this...and knowing way too much, when in the end it is a waste of time. No one knows anything really. Are carbs good? Is sugar bad? It's driving me FUCKING NUTS.

Go to any grocery store and see what people load up in their carts and you'll find that a skinny, lean, tone person as well as a morbidly fat person will both have the same bread, potatoes, ice cream and chips in their carts. It doesn't seem to matter! Do whatever the hell you want. Just go by what you feel is best for you.

flag
4 
 Good for you. You have obviously missed the point of the Paleo/Primal way of life -- that is, that it is not prescriptive and that through self experimenting you can find what works for you. You also have obviously missed the point of PaleoHacks as you just posted a rambling comment without asking a question. Enjoy your new style of eating! – CD Aug 24 at 16:49
2 
 um, what's your question? Or is this just a rant? – gydle Aug 24 at 17:32
2 
 I'm glad you're finding what works for you. But in order for this to stay open, it needs to be a real question. – Sara S. Aug 24 at 17:48

closed as not a real question by CD, Sara S., Mscott, Happy Now, Nemesis Aug 25 at 0:13

4 Answers

4

I think you've perhaps set up a false dichotomy: the choice isn't to either eat anything you want or to be obsessive. There is a middle ground. In fact, I think Mark Sisson himself is in that middle ground -- remember the 80-20 rule? By default, eat healthfully, and then eat other stuff when it feels right for you.

For example, I usually skip breakfast because that works for my life. Some say skipping breakfast is good and some say it's bad, but let them fight over that: for me it's better to skip. But when I do have breakfast, I never have cereal, not because I think it'll kill me then and there, but because I enjoy free range eggs just as much, so why not make the more healthful choice? You can't make the more healthful choice unless you know what that is, so you have to research. So it makes sense to research so that you know the consequences of your choices, and then to make informed decisions (guilt-free). Cereal doesn't tempt me, but on occasion I will have a dessert. That's a choice I make, and it's no big deal.

I do believe that if you go back to eating bread and pasta, your long-term health will probably suffer. If you eat healthfully but obsess, your long-term health will suffer too. But if you can generally make more healthful choices without it being a big deal, then you're in good territory. It's not hard to get there, I don't think. At this point you have all the knowledge. It's not about following any of the above diets. It's about generally making better choices. Why is that obsessive?

link|flag
3

I don't know about you, but I actually found my food freedom.

I used to CRAVE chocolate, cakes, sweet things, overindulge on ice-cream, candy and desserts. I could not pass a bakery without staring at those lovely sweet things, calling my name and practically begging me to come in and buy something.

I was tormented by "I know I shouldn't but I really really want some"...

Now I don't even look at those cakes, as if they are made of plastic. There are only two isles I ever visit in the store - meat/fish and vegetables. That's it.

Yes, I have to spend more time in the kitchen (and on the Internet because of it), cooking and cleaning, stirring and checking, and trying to learn how to cook for the fourth time in my life. But it is all worth it. Most of my symptoms are gone. I feel lighter, more vibrant and more energetic every single day. Not bad for a person who was forty lb heavier and bed-ridden last summer, don't you think?

There is a saying "eat to live, not live to eat". Learning how to eat so you can live a full and vibrant life is important. I have not learned this lesson earlier in life. Better late than never.

link|flag
1

I think you're heading down the right path. Its best to listen to your body and just eat real food (food from nature). I urge you to buy local organic and aim for the most nutrient dense food possible.

link|flag
1

Glad you got over it.

link|flag

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.