Perspective

People are passionate about a variety of things, from sports teams to politics and religion to the food they consume, this should come as no surprise. Social media seems to draw the best and the worst out of people, as I’m sure many have read via the many outlets, from discussion boards and Twitter to Facebook. For as many comments supporting a topic, there will be just as many opposing it and providing alternatives. I guess that’s what makes the Internet a great place, when individuals can share ideas and comment on topics they have in common or debate issues at hand.

Scrolling through new posts on a plant-based Facebook group I ran across a topic that asked, “Where can I find the number of people who have benefited (so far) from McDougalling?” McDougalling, for those readers new to T6F, is the term associated with an individual who follows the teachings of Dr. John McDougall, who promotes a starch (plant) based way of eating while excluding meat, dairy and added oils in your diet. I still consider myself a McDougaller for just over 2 years now, which has seen a dramatic improvement in my health. Over the course of this journey I have learned about nutrition and the role it plays for building a healthy body.

The thread seemed to get derailed rather quickly as a debate flared up about a plant-based way of eating being a “sacrifice” regardless of the positive results many have experienced. The comments and ensuing discussion had nothing to do with the numbers the original poster was looking for. However it started me thinking about the change in my lifestyle; was it a sacrifice or a choice?

Prior to changing my diet in October, 2012 I knew the food I was eating contributed to my increasing weight and myriad of health related issues. While I wasn’t as sickly as some who turned to Dr. McDougall for answers, I struggled with a growing list of pains that I had no relief for; migraine headaches, foot problems, an increasing cholesterol, side pains and joint issues. The documentary Forks Over Knives was the revelation I needed to approach nutrition and take control of what I eat.

While I feel I made a choice to exclude foods that promoted disease and obesity, in the thread, Vikki makes a great point. “In the beginning it does feel like a sacrifice. But once you start seeing results, once the weight starts coming off and the test results improve and you can get off the drugs and you can quit worrying about heart disease and diabetes and, and, and, it no longer feels like a sacrifice. Now it feels like a reward.” That was exactly how I felt.

Sure there were yearnings at times for cheese or the smell of BBQ had me salivating for a nice steak, but the longer I went without being tempted to these foods, the better the results. Weight continued to fall off, the problems I had, started to disappear and I saw an amazing decrease in my total cholesterol (total of 134 points). My doctor couldn’t explain it other than to say my decision was “extreme” and that I could “not have long term success.” Instead of saying a plant-based way of eating is a sacrifice it’s the perspective from which you view it.

For many of my friends I communicate with using social media, friends, those I see regularly and co-workers, many tell me they could not do what I have done. Many could not sacrifice their vices; meat, cheese, cooking with oil, fast food or alcohol in the name of health. From my perspective I have done what I felt was required to in order to take control of my health and improve how I feel. While around me I see many more feeding on a handful of medication, increasing in weight and not doing anything to better themselves. Why not? Why sacrifice your health?

Many of these people must be happy in some aspect of life, maybe being healthy doesn’t mean fueling your body with good food, instead letting the industrial medical complex and big pharma protect you from disease and heal you when sick. All the time continuing to eat a Western pattern diet “characterized by high intakes of red meat, sugary desserts, high-fat foods, and refined grains. It also typically contains high-fat dairy products, high-sugar drinks, and higher intakes of processed meat” (source). This usually leads to pleasure gained from the fats, sugars and salts this diet is guilty of.

The thread continues, “since you’re apparently ignoring the obvious “pluses” to unhealthy food, I’ll point out the obvious: The added effort of shopping and preparation is a sacrifice in and of itself. The act of eating healthy food healthfully (taking time to thoroughly chew food that has substance) is another sacrifice. The lack of fats, sugars, and salts has an an undeniable effect on flavor.” Yet the madness doesn’t stop there. “One does not have to be “intensely” suffering from withdraw to:

• realize the implications of never being able to eat out
• never eating food prepared at a friend’s house,
• awkward dinner parties with friends who eat differently
• always having to plan meals ahead,

having everyone you know look at you silly when they’re having pizza, and you’re having a baked potato and squash. It’s not ALL about personal satisfaction from eating bad food.”

Shopping, it’s not for everyone and based on my most recent trips to the market many don’t care what they eat as baskets are piled high with CRAP: carbonated junk, refined sugars, artificial sh*t and processed foods. That must be a hell of a decision standing in the frozen section debating which frozen meal to get.

Food preparation can be challenging, especially if you have no talent in the kitchen. I will consider myself fortunate that I had some basic skills that have only improved, spending more time cooking healthy food. The first book I purchased to support my lifestyle change was filled with simple recipes. It’s not as simple as popping in a frozen dinner into the oven or opening a bag from Taco bell. How difficult is it to bake a potato or yam? Heat some frozen veggies? Boil water or vegetable broth for a soup base? Sorry, some effort must be made on your part to cook.

Eating foods free of fats (or low in fat), sugars and salt doesn’t have be like chewing flavorless cardboard. Many seem to have that misconception. I can understand many foods I cook would taste bland, due to the fact your taste buds still have a penchant for fatty, sugary and salty foods. My wife reminds me this time and time again when I share a new dish with her. This fact alone could deter individuals early on and see them regress back to a Western pattern diet, sacrificing their health solely in the name of flavor. Yet from my perspective, I don’t feel I am sacrificing flavor in the name of health.

The implications of not being able to eat out, go to parties or feel awkward at parties should not be a reason to avoid healthy eating. I don’t see this as a sacrifice at all. There are very few restaurants that serve healthy food. Take the time to learn about nutrition and see just how unhealthy many restaurant menus are. In the rare times I have eaten out, I can order a baked potato and steamed vegetables and be satisfied. If this makes you feel awkward, sorry that’s on you. Don’t worry about what I am eating. Usually my way of eating becomes a topic of conversation and I share nutrition information I have learned. I expect no special treatment when we RSVP to a party or visit friends for dinner. Why should I?

Healthy eating is not a sacrifice depending on your perspective. When I made the decision to change my lifestyle and eating a plant-base diet I chose not to fuel my body with meat, dairy and added oil. I did not want to keep these foods that feed illness and disease in my diet. Why sacrifice my health? The decision to change my way of eating was one of the best decisions I have made. I have no regrets, regardless of perspective.