Nutritionism

Nutrition is an incredibly complex and largely mystifying science to us, even in this day and age. We actually know astonishingly little about why certain foods do or do not work well for the human body. 

But that sucks, right? To think that a practice you engage in three times a day is barely understood?

It’s the 21st century, damnit!

This is why you’ll see so many people (and industries) treating nutrition like a religion, like a set of beliefs based primarily on theory and faith. (If you’ve ever met a particularly fiery vegan or awkwardly aggressive Paleo-enthusiast, you know exactly what I mean.)

Michael Pollan, one of the most esteemed nutrition writers of our time, refers to this phenomenon as “Nutritionism."

What Nutritionism aims to do is reduce all nutrition to its requisite parts, meaning that instead of looking at a banana and concluding that it’s healthy because many cultures have subsisted and thrived on bananas for centuries, it decides that bananas are healthy because they’re comprised of vitamin B6, manganese, vitamin C, potassium, biotin, copper, and are a good source of dietary fiber.

Sounds fair, right? None of this is untrue.

However, it’s undeniably reductionist and speaks nothing about why, when these particular vitamins and minerals are extracted and administered to a person outside of the food, that person doesn’t receive the same health benefits as the person who simply eats the banana.

This is all to say that a banana, or for that matter any food on this planet, is not the sum of its nutrient parts, but rather a food that, for some scientifically inexplicable reason, is healthy for us, and makes us feel good and live longer.

So while, like with any religion, we must respect other eaters’ beliefs, I also invite you to keep an open mind and a clear head when it comes to nutrition.

When people ask me what particular nutritional “camp” I fall into, I have no answer, since I believe that all sorts of diets work well for all different types of people, and to say otherwise would not be particularly humble.

Who am I, God?

So what CAN we say conclusively about nutrition, if anything?

The only thing that nearly every Nutritionism cult in the world can agree on is that fruits and vegetables are good, and processed food is bad. No matter who you are, if you follow these principles, you will be healthier, thinner, and, most likely, happier.

It’s important to keep perspective and remember that the nitty-gritty is less important than these  basic, overarching principles.

Intermittent Fasting: Healthier, Shaper, Thinner

Intermittent Fasting is one of the biggest budding trends in the health and fitness world right now.

And for good reason.

More and more research is being done every year, and so far all signs point towards improved cognitive function, increased fat loss, and enhanced immunity.

In other words, it'll make you healthier, sharper, and thinner. 

And I can tell you firsthand, it’s changed my life for the better.

What exactly does it do, you ask?

• reduces inflammation

• increases your metabolic rate (making it a great accelerant for weight loss!)

• drops your insulin levels

• aids with cellular waste removal

• enhances hormone function

• improves cognitive function and productivity

• helps avoid Alzheimer’s and Parkinson

In short, fasting gives your body the time it needs to repair itself in many ways, without the added stresses of digestion.

So what is Intermittent Fasting?

Now, there're a couple of ways to do it, but, if you ask me, the easiest way to intermittently fast is to basically just skip breakfast and wait 'til the afternoon to eat.

And that's it!

Easy.

"But wait, wait, wait! Isn't breakfast the most important meal of the day?!"

If you look to the government, WebMD, or most people's mothers, you'll probably get an emphatic "Yes!"

And that's fair.

There's a lot of science out there to back them up, maintaining that this beloved daily routine improves focus, helps manage weight, and increases overall energy, making you healthier, sharper, and thinner.

Sound familiar?

Yep, that's because there's a lot of science (and pseudoscience) on both sides arguing for very similar health benefits, and, of course, everyone's got their proverbial panties in a twist over it.

Who to believe?

Well, first of all, everyone's body is different and, as is the rule with all things wellness, no single approach works for everyone. 

However...

It's worth mentioning that a lot of the funding for these "pro-breakfast" studies have been conducted by the same people who sell you sugar-coated, hyper-processed cereal, promising healthy, happy mornings packed with "whole grain goodness," Vitamin D, and Calcium.

Thanks for that, Trix Fruitalicous Swirls cereal. 

(By the way, that whole grain ingredient they're bragging about is corn.)

So take all arguments on all sides with a grain of salt, and find what works best for YOUR unique body.

That said, I'd strongly encourage you to just try Intermittent Fasting.

You'll have to push through the first 2-3 weeks, but if you can make it past the hump, you'll know 100% if it it's for you cause you'll just feel so much better overall.

So you wanna try it?

It's really not hard, it just takes some extra planning.

Here're some tips for getting started: 

Make sure your dinner includes a good amount of healthy fat and protein (which will keep you satiated for longer) 

Keep drinking coffee (coffee, tea, and any other beverage under 50 calories won't break your fast, plus the caffeine will help suppress hunger)

Keep yourself busy (mental distraction is key when getting started)

Try to avoid smelling food in the morning (smells can subconsciously trigger digestion and make you hungry...so mouth breath as you walk past that Panara on your way to work)

Again, these first few weeks may not be easy. You’ve been eating one way for probably the majority of your life, and breaking from that may send your body into confusion, panic, or “hanger.”

You may experience temporary dips in energy or grouchiness— just know that that’s totally normal, and it only gets easier with each passing week, as your body adapts and resets its physiological habit responses.

Also know that a lot of the initial resistance you may feel is mental, so try your best to keep an open mind and a strong sense of willpower.

And even if you decide that this is not in fact the path for you, it's still wise to allow 12 hours between dinner and breakfast regardless, as your body still needs a daily break from digestion, which is a rather demanding process.

But try it out and let me know how it goes in the comments section below!

Here's a link to additional resources if you wanna dig a little deeper into this.