Frustrated

Something has started bothering me. I’m finding more and more people that have come to me for help and advise are stalling or not even starting to better their health due to a plethora of excuses. I hear that they are too busy or entertaining visitors or looking after family or just not in the right place mentally. I understand change can be hard but these are people that I think realize that their current situation is not healthy and that they do need to change their lifestyle and diet or face the consequences.

Let’s have a look at the types of people I’ve come across in my journey against conventional wisdom. First group are the naysayers that absolutely think the government dietary advise is correct. They don’t seem to be able to see the evidence all around them with the ever increasing epidemics in obesity and diabetes. They still wrongly fear saturated fat and cholesterol. They agree with the Heart and Diabetes Associations advise on fats and industrial seed oils (margarine and vegetable oils). My previous blogs go into detail on these topics and the harm they are doing. I’m crazy and will never change these peoples made up minds and they will continue to start their mornings with a huge insulin spike from a bagel and glass of orange juice. They can’t connect the dots and will continue to take their medications, be ok with sleeping night after night wearing a mask, keep using their puffers and putting up with allergies. I just don’t get it, why let stubbornness stand in the way of good health.

Next are the family and friends that do ask me questions and do seem to agree with what I’m saying but just can’t seem to really wrap their minds around the whole deception thing. It all seems to make sense but they find it hard to change from what they have done for their entire lives. I totally get that, change can be very hard for some. Some see and admit to my success but question whether it’s right for them. Here’s where I hear things like “it’s worked great for you but it’s not for me” or “we’ll be fine if we eat everything and anything in moderation” or “we just eat clean”. None of this is horrible advice but clearly they are not a solution. I’ve actually heard more than once “but I love my bread!” These are the people that are very similar to how I was, cut calories, lose a little weight, get tired of being hungry, up the calories and gain the weight back and then some. I see it again and again. In the end I think they understand what I’m saying but just can’t seem to take that next step. Please understand that once you achieve metabolic flexibility, you can eat anything you like now and again.

Finally, there is the group of people who absolutely understand they need change, have acknowledged my success and ask me to directly help them change their diet and go low carb. This is the part that really makes me sad! We communicate, I get them started and show them how to begin to focus on the right foods. I start sending them articles and YouTube videos. We then start to communicate usually via texting for a short while but then I stop hearing from them. This leaves me unsure as to their status, are things going good or are they just finding it too hard to quit the sugar and processed carbohydrates. Some I have reached out to just to not hear back. I’m just trying to help.

Ok. Here is what I think is a big part of the problem. It’s very hard for some to kick the sugar addiction. Believe it or not, dependence on refined sugar and carbohydrates is exactly the same as any other addictive substance. It’s no different than quitting smoking or getting off drugs. Highly refined substances are usually addictive. It’s no different than heroin or cocaine. Both of these drugs are highly refined from plants just like sugar. Rats addicted to cocaine when given the choice between cocaine water and sugar water pick the sugar 9 out 10 times! We also know that people kicking sugar will most likely go through a withdrawal period just like any other drug. I’ve said it again and again, once you push through this low period of a couple of days or weeks, you will feel amazing.

And here is the last thing I hear again and again “Why should I listen to you? You’re not a doctor!” Absolutely right, but here’s the thing. I’m pretty sure that any doctor that has done half the research I have on diet is in total agreement with me. The doctors out there that are still giving conventional advise, prescribing statins, and recommending high carbohydrate consumption and insulin, simply have not kept up with the science and evidence. It’s all out there for anyone with the time to look for it.

Finally, let’s clear the air on Keto, Paleo, and other low carb diets. Basically if you remove or restrict processed carbohydrates and sugar (grains, pasta, starches, anything with added sugar, fruit juices, etc) from your diet, you are essentially low carb. If you eat just real food you are low carb. The exception being the vegans and vegetarians which is still cutting processed foods and sugar. These people do need to supplement though to remain healthy. If you buy your food from just the outside walls of your local grocery store (except the bakery) you are low carb. 80% of the stuff in your local food store is highly processed and terribly unhealthy. You’ll find them throughout most of the center isles.

Bottom line is that the present dietary recommendations are leading us to poorer and poorer health and is simply not sustainable. At the present rate of declining health with increasing obesity and diabetes, our healthcare system will become bankrupt in the near future. I think I’m right about all this but only the future will tell. Are you willing to bet your life on bad advice? Maybe I’m wrong, don’t take my word on it. I encourage everyone reading this to do their own research and find out what I have found, your health may depend on it.