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What if The Entire Diet and Food Guide is Wrong?

by Terra Atrill

My best friend passed on the following tip to me: a podcast (link) of CBC’s Quirks and Quarks where in Gary Taubes, author of Good Calories. Bad Calories. speaks of his research, experience and opinions about the past 30 years of obesity-related advice. He hypothesizes in his book that simple carbs, such as those found in white flour and sugar, are what is really causing the obesity epidemic, diabetes diagnosis increases and potentially, even cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Have a listen to the podcast and let me know what you think. If this is were just another attempt for low-carb love, then I’d be extremely adverse to the results of his life’s work. In fact, I wouldn’t be writing about it.

But the fact is that North American diets have changed so drastically in the past centuries. And there are large differences between rates of the previously-mentioned diseases in the developed countries vs. areas wherein diets are comprised of complex grains, protein and fats. Where convenient and well, lazy food, isn’t an option for both economic and availability reasons. Is this a random correlation? Maybe, or maybe it’s a simple act of evolution.

I’m on the far leftist opinion of our over-developed first-world countries. I’m generalizing, completely, but I personally feel that our days are spent stressing, reaching to attain some goal that will not necessarily bring us happiness so much as put us another rung up the ladder. We seem to be making choices based on the choices other people make and as a society, are very self-important. And with these 85-hour work weeks, luxury automobiles, 24" waistlines, breast implants, botox, designer clothing, Tiffany diamonds and diverse portfolios, what do we eat? Wonderbread sandwiches with processed cheese. Nutrigrain bars. Smoothies, from those little smoothy vendors at the mall. We are over-saturated and spreading ourselves too thin, to start with.

What I’d like to know is why it’s taken someone so long to say it?


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About Eating Disorder Talk

The goal of Eating Disorder Talk is to encourage family and friends of people living with disordered eating - as well as sufferers - to learn more about the conditions, where to get help, the risks associated and another vessel of communication. I come with 20 years of experience living with (and sometimes for) anorexia; my job is not to cure, it’s to allow others to speak. This means wanting to help those that want help and to provide a voice to those who don’t.

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