Good Food vs. Bad Food: What's Left to Eat?

The Ever-Changing Diet Landscape

What's Good Today is Bad Tomorrow: What Can I Eat?

In today's world, the sheer number of diets being promoted can be overwhelming. From the Atkins Diet to the South Beach Diet, and now the Hamptons Diet, the focus has often been on high-protein, low-carb regimens. However, the key should be the quality of carbohydrates, not the complete elimination of one nutrient.

If you're following any high-protein, low-carb diet, consider shifting from low-quality carbs like refined flour and sugar products to more whole foods like fresh vegetables and fruits. Yes, fruits!

Apples vs. Apple Jacks: You Be the Judge

The traditional Atkins Diet may discourage fruit consumption due to its sugar content, but let's think critically. An apple, a natural product sweetened by the sun, is vastly different from a bowl of Apple Jacks cereal, which is highly processed and sweetened with added sugars. Which would you choose? Don't avoid fresh fruit just to stick rigidly to a low-carb diet.

The God-Made vs. Man-Made Approach

Eliminating healthy, wholesome foods is not the best way to improve your diet. Instead, focus on reducing the frequency of highly processed foods. Think of it as GM (God Made) vs. MM (Man Made). No one says you shouldn't enjoy chips or other treats, but make them occasional indulgences and prioritize GM foods.

The Common Sense Diet

Practical Tips for Everyday Eating

Common sense can guide you in making better food choices. If you're on a low-carb diet, avoid processed foods and opt for natural ones. For example, instead of "instant" breakfast options, cook whole rolled oats. Yes, it might mean waking up 10 minutes earlier, but your health is worth it.

You can still follow a high-protein diet, but this minor adjustment will make it sustainable for a lifetime. Imagine a diet where you can enjoy fruits like apples and bananas daily. Humans naturally crave sweet foods for a reason—nutrients like Vitamin C and bioflavonoids.

Can You Be Addicted to Fruit?

Some people claim to be "addicted to fruit," but what do they eat instead? Often, those who avoid fruit due to its sugar content consume cookies, crackers, and sugary cereals. They might even drink artificially flavored and sweetened beverages. This makes no sense when you consider that our planet thrived on natural foods, not processed ones. Processed foods have only been around for less than 200 years, while our planet is millions of years old.

The Impact of Processed Foods

Obesity and Processed Foods

The high incidence of obesity is closely linked to our consumption of processed foods. According to the CDC, the prevalence of obesity in the United States was 42.4% in 2017-2018 (CDC). It's hard not to draw a connection between this and our diet. Big industry won't highlight this issue because our economy relies on the production and consumption of these products.

Food Safety Concerns

With food illnesses like Mad Cow Disease and Bird Flu, it's easy to envision a future where only local farms are allowed to sell meat. This would make meat more expensive, but it would also make us appreciate it more, much like the Sunday roasts of the past. We didn't eat meat every day back then, and we weren't as overweight either. Most of us had home-cooked meals, which were healthier and less processed.

Conclusion: The Common Sense Diet

Progress is inevitable, but when it comes to your body, common sense should prevail. The Common Sense Diet is about making practical, sustainable choices. Try it today and see the difference it can make in your life.

Interesting Stats

• Fruit Consumption: Only 12.3% of adults meet the daily fruit intake recommendations (CDC).
• Processed Foods: Processed foods contribute to 58% of the total energy intake in the U.S. diet (BMJ Open).

By focusing on whole, natural foods and using common sense, you can navigate the confusing world of diets and make healthier choices for a lifetime.