Most everyone has some idea of what they think comprises “healthy eating.” Nutrition is considered a science, and in all fields of science there are concrete, universal facts that are readily accepted. Gravity pulls toward the center of an object, plants make their own food and hydrogen has one atom. However, with even a little research on how to eat better and gain or lose weight, you will figure out that there are frustratingly few universally accepted facts in the field of nutrition. If you think you know something definitively, I guarantee that you don’t.
What’s the one nutrition fact that has been drilled into your head from the start? Fats are bad. Fats make you fat! However, in the past two decades or so, published findings have shown that not all fats are bad, and a lack of fats in your diet can make you sick and slow weight loss. Trans fat is one of the few universal evils I can find in nutrition. Saturated fats are condemned by Bill Clinton’s famous doctor, but lauded by Atkins and the new Paleolithic craze. Plant-based diets shy away from oil, but the Mediterranean dieters almost drink olive oil. What do all of these diets have in common? They have hard, scientific evidence to back up their claims and real people to testify that they work. And I’m sure they do.
Fat condemnation isn’t the only area in which you find conflicting evidence. How many carbs should we eat? What kind of carbs? Is gluten bad for everyone or just some people? How much protein stimulates muscle growth? Can you have too much protein? Is it better to eat a 600-calorie Lean Cuisine or a 600-calorie steak dinner? Each one of these questions has at least two answers, and for every answer there are 10 different reasons.
Nutrition “science” shouldn’t be labeled a “science.” Yes, it uses hard sciences (biology, chemistry, even physics sometimes), but the human body is such a complicated structure that we haven’t figured out how all the systems work together or the synergistic effects of all the crap we put in our bodies. We’re using chemicals in our food that are untested over long periods of time. Carcinogens can lie dormant for years before causing damage, or sit harmless in your body until you accidentally stick your nose too far down your pool’s chlorinator and mustard gas starts leaking from your pores.
Everyone’s body is different. We all know what worked for Jared: he ate a shit ton of Subway. However, Jared’s approach won’t work for a celiac who pukes up every ounce of gluten that enters her body. The meat-heavy Paleolithic diet won’t work for a heart attack survivor. Nutrition is an art form that is almost completely subjective. Don’t believe the hacks that want to sell you their latest diet scam because they say it works for everyone. It doesn’t. Find what works for you, but don’t stay stagnant after that. Always look for ways to shake things up. Your body too easily gets used to what you’re doing to it, and the method becomes less effective. Remember, however, to take everything anyone says with a grain of salt. Skepticism is the only way to come at this ugly monster the experts call “nutrition.”