Hi there again!
I have mentioned on several occasions how interesting I find the topic nutrition and health, as I profoundly believe how closely linked those two concepts are; the extent to which I believe that what we put in our bodies affects in an almost direct cause-effect relationship our physical, mental and emotional health has made me an enthusiast of the matter and an avid reader and listener of any interesting piece of information that can be found online and in books. This very topic might probably not interest you to the same extent as it interests me, but I'll try to make my point, anyway.
I have never really been interested in following a given plan in order to lose weight, nor have I been interested in doing the same to gain weight, either. For the last couple of years I have been primarily interested in following the way to eat that would make me healthier, more physically and mentally capable, more energetic, stronger, more athletic and leaner; in other words, the diet that could unleash the best version in me, in the physical, mental and emotional realms. In doing so, as I mentioned above, I've paid attention and read with great curiosity any new approach on nutrition with a decent scientific basis.
My conclusions?
a) Well, the amount of information out there is ABSOLUTELY OVERWHELMING: There is way too much information to take in and every new, novel, revolutionary approach to nutrition (aka: "diet") will of course contradict the former one: have 5-6 meals a day vs. have only 2 or 3 substantial ones, milk and dairy products are essential vs. the adult human body is not ready to assimilate the nutrients in milk and therefore should not be consumed by adult humans, breakfast is probably the most important meal of the day and should never be skipped vs. "breakfast" is an oxymoron on itself, as we are not really "fasting" when we sleep and as such, we can do with a very light meal during our mornings, watch your dinners and try not to eat anything 2-to-3 hours before going to sleep vs. feast at night- as it is the time when we naturally have time to enjoy that meal with the family after a long day- and don't fear carbohydrates at that time- as they will make you sleep better-, avoid "starchy carbs" vs. eat plenty of them in your diet, and so on and so forth... and all of them eloquently put to words and not devoid of scientific justification, with graphics, charts, tables, numbers, experiments, examples, etc... Quite difficult to make the right choice, isn't it?
b) Every now and then, a new "super food" will emerge proud: the soy sprouts and sunflower oils and green teas of yesterday are the quinoa and stevia of today and who knows what will happen tomorrow. I am starting to think that there may be some vested interests behind the sudden spotlight on those miraculous products.
c) Moral issues cannot be shunned; well, I cannot shun them. We all love pets and find those videos with puppies and kitties absolutely cute, yet we are sometimes a little impassive or kind of insensitive to the suffering animals have to go through in factory farms and laboratories in order for us to enjoy our meals and buy medicines and look good and whatnot. For that reason, as I read and heard- just like you I guess- about the wretched conditions livestock and laboratory animals undergo, the idea of becoming a vegetarian- which I was at some point in my life- or even a vegan-in the end, dairy products and egg production are not devoid of suffering inflicted to the animals producing them- crossed my mind. Mike Mahler, a vegan bodybuilder, gives some interesting insights on the matter: "I realized that I did not want to contribute to the unnecessary suffering of other beings and I knew that I needed to make some changes. I started thinking about how animals are abused in labs and further solidified the new direction that I was taking. In addition, to giving up meat, I decided that I would make sure to purchase products such as: toothpaste, shampoo, soap etc that were not tested on animals. I gave up meat gradually. I started off by giving up all meat except fish. Then I gave up fish, but continued to eat eggs and dairy. I of course ended up giving up all animal products. That was 10 years ago and I have never looked back." Super interesting views, for sure, but then he continues "I am an ethical vegan and believe you are not entitled to talk about peace, or even be at peace with yourself, when you have a steak on your plate, as an animal died in agonizing pain to end up there". Well, Mike, slow down, will you? Let's not forget that Hitler was a vegetarian. There may be many moral reasons to consider giving up all meat products, but decrying all meat eaters as vile, vicious savages is too much, I think.
d) As there is not a simple nutritional approach that will work for every single person (as we are different, have different genes, different body shapes and needs, different metabolisms, etc.), you have to find out what works for you: I for example have observed that I feel much more active and energetic when I have a nice, substantial breakfast early in the morning, if I have 4 or 5 meals- instead of just three- and I feel really hydrated because- not surprisingly_ I drink plenty of water too, something like 5 liters a day. I also like opening the fridge and seeing lots of green and colorful stuff: asparagus, zucchini, pears, mushrooms, bananas, berries, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, spinaches, watermelon, mangoes, avocados, you name it... I just love that stuff, but I eat plenty of fish, meat, eggs and all types of nuts as well. I have never had problems feasting at night and going to bed something like 30 minutes after finsihing a big meal. The thing is that this diet works for me and makes me feel great, but your ideal meal plan might be different!
e) The concept of "diets/ miracle diets" is, in my opinion, absolutely worthless: a shameful moneymaker at the expense of people unhappy with their own image, desperate for quick changes. Things like the Paleo/Atkins/ Duncan diet (pretty similar in their principles), the artichoke diet or whatever stupid next big thing, make no sense in my humble opinion, for many reasons: firstly, because they are impractical (scheduling and planning your meals according to those diets would mean killing your social life- eating out with friends and family, special dates and events, birthdays, Christmas, etc- altogether) and because they make the person following them absolutely deprived and, as a consequence, miserable. That who starves on artichoke or broccoli for a period of time is very likely to feel angry at the world and anxiously pig out and binge on all the "forbidden foods" they crave for and ruin everything and put on twice as much weight as they managed to lose (Why? Because they feel deprived!). In today's world, people want shortcuts for everything and, unfortunately there are no shortcuts for being healthier and fitter, and no extreme approaches should be taken, either. If one wants to be healthier and fitter (not necessarily "lean", "slim" or "ripped", mind you), they will have to find the right combination of nutrition, exercise and rest that works for them, that is practical (i.e.: it fits easily in their working, family, leisure life) and that they can sustain for almost the rest of their lives. Extreme measures and shortcuts are bound to fail, miserably.
f) And, on top of that, food is a pleasure, right? Something to be enjoyed with all of our senses, a social activity... and if someone is deliberately (which means that it is not because of some medical prescription, abject poverty of anything like that) missing the delight of a delicious meal with friends, family or partner, well, I feel sorry for them. So, even if you're following a particular meal plan/ diet for a particular purpose, there is no reason why you shouldn't occasionally cheat on it and enjoy that gorgeous pasta dish or that yummy dessert you like so much. That will make you happier and isn't happiness the ultimate goal in everyone's life?
What's your opinion on the issue?
c) Moral issues cannot be shunned; well, I cannot shun them. We all love pets and find those videos with puppies and kitties absolutely cute, yet we are sometimes a little impassive or kind of insensitive to the suffering animals have to go through in factory farms and laboratories in order for us to enjoy our meals and buy medicines and look good and whatnot. For that reason, as I read and heard- just like you I guess- about the wretched conditions livestock and laboratory animals undergo, the idea of becoming a vegetarian- which I was at some point in my life- or even a vegan-in the end, dairy products and egg production are not devoid of suffering inflicted to the animals producing them- crossed my mind. Mike Mahler, a vegan bodybuilder, gives some interesting insights on the matter: "I realized that I did not want to contribute to the unnecessary suffering of other beings and I knew that I needed to make some changes. I started thinking about how animals are abused in labs and further solidified the new direction that I was taking. In addition, to giving up meat, I decided that I would make sure to purchase products such as: toothpaste, shampoo, soap etc that were not tested on animals. I gave up meat gradually. I started off by giving up all meat except fish. Then I gave up fish, but continued to eat eggs and dairy. I of course ended up giving up all animal products. That was 10 years ago and I have never looked back." Super interesting views, for sure, but then he continues "I am an ethical vegan and believe you are not entitled to talk about peace, or even be at peace with yourself, when you have a steak on your plate, as an animal died in agonizing pain to end up there". Well, Mike, slow down, will you? Let's not forget that Hitler was a vegetarian. There may be many moral reasons to consider giving up all meat products, but decrying all meat eaters as vile, vicious savages is too much, I think.
d) As there is not a simple nutritional approach that will work for every single person (as we are different, have different genes, different body shapes and needs, different metabolisms, etc.), you have to find out what works for you: I for example have observed that I feel much more active and energetic when I have a nice, substantial breakfast early in the morning, if I have 4 or 5 meals- instead of just three- and I feel really hydrated because- not surprisingly_ I drink plenty of water too, something like 5 liters a day. I also like opening the fridge and seeing lots of green and colorful stuff: asparagus, zucchini, pears, mushrooms, bananas, berries, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, spinaches, watermelon, mangoes, avocados, you name it... I just love that stuff, but I eat plenty of fish, meat, eggs and all types of nuts as well. I have never had problems feasting at night and going to bed something like 30 minutes after finsihing a big meal. The thing is that this diet works for me and makes me feel great, but your ideal meal plan might be different!
e) The concept of "diets/ miracle diets" is, in my opinion, absolutely worthless: a shameful moneymaker at the expense of people unhappy with their own image, desperate for quick changes. Things like the Paleo/Atkins/ Duncan diet (pretty similar in their principles), the artichoke diet or whatever stupid next big thing, make no sense in my humble opinion, for many reasons: firstly, because they are impractical (scheduling and planning your meals according to those diets would mean killing your social life- eating out with friends and family, special dates and events, birthdays, Christmas, etc- altogether) and because they make the person following them absolutely deprived and, as a consequence, miserable. That who starves on artichoke or broccoli for a period of time is very likely to feel angry at the world and anxiously pig out and binge on all the "forbidden foods" they crave for and ruin everything and put on twice as much weight as they managed to lose (Why? Because they feel deprived!). In today's world, people want shortcuts for everything and, unfortunately there are no shortcuts for being healthier and fitter, and no extreme approaches should be taken, either. If one wants to be healthier and fitter (not necessarily "lean", "slim" or "ripped", mind you), they will have to find the right combination of nutrition, exercise and rest that works for them, that is practical (i.e.: it fits easily in their working, family, leisure life) and that they can sustain for almost the rest of their lives. Extreme measures and shortcuts are bound to fail, miserably.
f) And, on top of that, food is a pleasure, right? Something to be enjoyed with all of our senses, a social activity... and if someone is deliberately (which means that it is not because of some medical prescription, abject poverty of anything like that) missing the delight of a delicious meal with friends, family or partner, well, I feel sorry for them. So, even if you're following a particular meal plan/ diet for a particular purpose, there is no reason why you shouldn't occasionally cheat on it and enjoy that gorgeous pasta dish or that yummy dessert you like so much. That will make you happier and isn't happiness the ultimate goal in everyone's life?
What's your opinion on the issue?
Hello, personally, I don't like to eat much fast food because I prefer to eat at home because I really like cooking. My favourite dish is spaghetti because I love pasta. I usually eat healthy food but I think is complicated because healthy meal is more expensive than funk food and it takes a lot of time to make them. much sugar, salt and fats. Actually, If I ate each day chocolate, it'd make me happier.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I wouldn't like eat every day vegetables because I hate it.
Hey! Thanks for your comment, Pilar.
DeleteWe can't help liking what we like, can we? ;-)
Some corrections:
"... I think IT is complicated..."
"... because healthy MEALS are more expensive than JUNK food..."
"... much sugar, salt and fats??" I don't understand what this is supposed to mean.
"I wouldn't like TO eat every day..."
WRITTEN BY TATYANA ARNALDOS JURADO
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm afraid that my interest in this kind of matters is 0 and also the time that they occupy my mind during the day. I suppose that the fact I have always been a slim person, eating of everything, it haven't done worth it whatsoever; although It seems to be a issue REALLY important considering that people is able to starve and many drivels simply for esthetic.
As you said, we are all different, have different genes, different body shapes and metabolisms, therefore you can eating absolutely of everything and not doing almost exercise and being a slim person. When I was more fledgeling girl (hahaha) any person left hanging that I could being suffering any eating disorder and I think that that one is not fair either. Of course that nowdays this kind of comments don't affect me but it was anything bother me and any point in my life.
On the other hand, I understand that you are following a diet, aren't you? BUT , LET'S SEE I eat everything you said -not in the same measure, maybe- but I don't understand why this one is called a 'diet'. This one isn't a diet, this one is 'healthy eating' (even adding sweets). People should understand that you have to eat of everything: meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, sweets and that a body in not so important and I -personally- refuse to think that a body to be so important and THEREFORE it is the first thing somebody see in me when I'm speaking to them!!
I also think that everybody should do exercise, because it makes you feel good ,apart from esthetic issues.
I also have to say that after I have read that of 'the diet could unleash the best version in me' I realize I DO look for that 'best version of me' in many fields: at work, in English, there I give everything of me, but I don't attract idea of getting a body as perfect as possible, I don't know...
Lately, I think I'm in favour of a body in shape but in a 'casual version' - in shape almost effortless,
perfectly imperfect or like the antihero in a movie, you know what I mean??-
Ah, and what kind of diet is that one that a pasta dish is forbidden?? For god's sake!
Finally, giving up meat also crossed my mind in any point of my life, because I LOVE animals, but I already have problems in gain kilos, therefore if I would give up meat....
I feel true sorry about animals in factory farms, and that Mike Mahler is plenty of reason in what he says but I'm also Spanish and I couldn't quit our ham every now and then... It's so good! It's the eternal dilemma...
What I DO do is using 'cruelty free' products. I promised myself it after I saw what they did in those labs with my own eyes. I will not save the world but that one is my tiny little grain of sand.
Hey, Tatyenne! Thanks for your comments, as usual!
DeleteGreat insights, for sure.
Let's see, I guess if one is slim and can eat anything they want without putting on a single gram, that will make them more relaxed when it comes to food/ body image, etc, but it doesn't mean that they should completely ignore the topic nutrition, for in my view, it has a solid relationship with health (not "physical appearance", but health).
Of course, image is overwhelmingly important nowadays, and we are forced to look good and in today's standards, looking good is synonym of being slim/ athletic/ ripped/ muscular (if you're a man), so it's no wonder some people are willing to do really nonsensical stuff so as to meet this supposedly ideal standard of beauty. The solution, I guess, has to do with accepting oneself and strive for health and happiness rather than for appearance (though that's maybe a question of education on emotional intelligence).
Am I following a diet? Well, no, I'm not. Maybe I didn't express myself well (are you subtly calling me fat, my friend???) ;-)
"Diet" is one person's eating routine and does not necessarily mean they want to lose weight (and therefore, deprive themselve of certain food) or gain it (therefore, following a hyper-caloric meal plan). Maybe in Spanish, the word "dieta" has a connotation of "meal plan to lose/gain weight, so I understand the confusion; for instance, if a person regularly eats plenty of meat, dairy products, eggs and sweets and little fish, vegetables, fruit or legumes, that is THEIR diet.
Of course I don't think your physical appearance, your physique, your body should be the most important thing in a person. How shallow would that be! However, I think that a body is SOMETIMES a reflection of how healthy a person is (though not necessarily), so no matter if a person is naturally skinny/wiry/lean/muscular/curvaceous/plump, they will look better and healthier if they eat well and do some exercise (no matter what type of exercise). That is what I mean.
About unleashing the best version of ourselves, of course I don't mean "looking sexy/ having the ultimate body beach/ sporting a six-pack" or shit like that, I mean being able to give your best in any field in life (as a student, professional, partner, friend, father, mother, son, daughter, athlete, etc.).
Sure I understand your point about "looking good without looking too concerned about looking good" hahaha. Sure, I like doing sport and being fit and being strong and being able to do the human flag and handstands and other kind of athletic feats, but men and women who spend their lives in the gym and whose only topic of conversation has to do with their appearance (bodies, diets, hairstyles, clothes, make-up etc.) bore me TO DEATH. I prefer men and (especially) women with a more casual and relaxed attitude to it.
Part 2: Feedback-
Delete"I think that the fact THAT I have always..."
"... have made it not worthwhile"
"a really important issue" (word order)
"... considering that SOME people ARE WILLING to starve..."
"... anybody left hanging I could being suffering..." Well, I couldn't really make out the meaning of this line, until I tried to translate it back to Spanish, literally hahaha. (Alguien dejaba caer...;-)
"... some people would talk behind my back and say I suffered from some kind of eating disorder"
Nowadays (spelling)
"It was SOMETHING that would bother/ upset me at some point in my life"
"... that a body IS not so important"
"I refuse to think that a body IS SO important"
"... I'm not keen on/ attracted to the idea of getting..."
"... what kind of diet is that one WHERE a pasta dish..."
"... therefore, if I GAVE up meat..."
"Mike Mahler is almost completely right when he says/ Mike Mahler has a very solid point when he says..."
You cannot really use the "emphatic do" with do! Hahaha, so, just "what I do is using..."
A couple of corrections, but, in such a lengthy writeup, that is not anything to be concerned about. But promise me that next time you want to translate some very colloquial expression from Spanish to English, you'll do it in a not so literal way!
;-)
I love this post!
ReplyDeleteHey, Bego!!! So nice to hear from you on the blog! I can see why you like this post hahaha.
DeleteI miss you and the rest of the class, too!
Kiss and hugs!
J.