These days, the topic of diet and nutrition get highly debated in circles of all sorts. People have more information than ever before to make informed decisions about the food they consume. But, despite this information, many people decide to eat foods because of emotional attachments, personal beliefs, or the latest diet craze getting promoted.
The truth is, nutrition is not a belief system. However, there are more dietary beliefs in circulation than ever before. Some examples include:
- Sugar is poisonous and addictive
- Humans aren’t supposed to consume starches and grains
- Only choosing organic and natural foods
- Eliminating entire food groups, such as carbohydrates
Some people must restrict their diets to avoid adverse reactions due to food allergies, sensitivities, or health conditions such as having high cholesterol, Chrohn’s disease, acid reflux, diabetes, and others. In cases such as this, avoiding prohibited food items is necessary to prevent flareups, discomfort, and other symptoms that threaten well-being.
For instance, people diagnosed with high cholesterol should eliminate or limit consumption of fatty red beef, bacon, poultry with skin, full-fat dairy products, and food items with high levels of saturated fat.
Those with Chrohn’s disease should avoid consuming alcohol, carbonated drinks, fatty foods, and -if lactose intolerant- most dairy-based products.
People with acid reflux should avoid eating fatty, fried food, citrus fruits, tomatoes, spicy foods, and beverages that contain caffeine.
Those with diabetes should control their diet by avoiding foods, including loaves of bread, plates of pasta, fatty foods, rice, candy, sugary cereals, and sugar-based beverages.
People diagnosed with food allergies should avoid these foods at all costs.
Unless instructed by a primary care physician, nutritionist, or another trusted healthcare professional, you should keep an open mind about your diet.
When we make dietary decisions based on a particular philosophy, there is always the chance you don’t understand the basic facts about nutrition. It’s worth noting that nutritional approaches that work for others don’t automatically mean they will work for you.
If you are evaluating a new approach, always be curious and ask questions, and never be afraid to try different things or methods. When changing things up, be sure to document your efforts so you can gauge your outcome. Everyone is different, so experimenting is critical to find the right path for yourself.
Many belief-based nutritional systems use persuasive marketing techniques to attract followers and elicit an emotional response. Depending on the approach, they might try to trigger a trauma, set off insecurities, or otherwise move you to take the desired action.
One thing to always keep in mind is that there isn’t a perfect diet, and you may need to try a variety of eating plans to establish, which is best for you.
Most importantly, you should find an eating and dietary plan that supports your lifestyle. One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to follow a diet that is too restrictive. Ideally, your diet should be well-rounded and allow you to eat your favorite foods in moderate amounts.
