Are diets bad for you?

The word diet is unpopular in the imagination of many nowadays. Perhaps the real reason for this is the suggestion of austerity, of deprivation and blandness.

In today's world, particularly here in the United States, anything associated with austerity is counter to the good life. That is because we have come to see ourselves as a fortunate nation, perhaps destined to enjoy the comforts of our own civilization. Moreover, this has even demanded sharing with others who are less fortunate, which, when done, seems to give us the right to relax and enjoy our individual existences.

As a result, the belief that daily fun and ease should be a part of every American's life is widespread. Even in economically challenging times we are expected by each other to find some expression of fun or life which will in fact keep us aware that we still are the most lavish nation on earth. To be any other way is as un-American as a Third World country.

Perhaps that is why the word diet strikes most of us as alien or unfriendly. It is counter to our national identity. It strongly suggests cutting back, tightening the belt, enduring life with far less than what seems necessary to make it pleasant.

Consequently, we cringe when we are told to go on a diet , possibly by our doctor. Of course, we will probably do it, but we will only do so with distant promise of being able to return to the good life of ease and fun.

Few of us will ever think that this good life of ours is the very part of living which is getting us into trouble. Few will even seriously the possibility that it is not only causing obesity in ever-increasing numbers, but is also responsible for the diseases which are allowed to take hold in us because of it.

Yet that is the truth, Too much fried food, too much meat, too much sugar, too much fast food is causing us to look far different than most of us would like. A diet of natural foods and grains can counter all of this.

We all know that that is true. But we do not do anything about. Why? Because we fear the consequences of not only going on but staying on a healthy diet--a planned course of eating to fuel our bodies and rebuild our tissues. But most of us insist on staying on the hamburgers, fries, malts and Mountain Dew which seems so much a part of our American normality.. If only more of us would realize that this too is really a diet of its own , we might be better able to trade it in for something that will far better for us.

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About the Author

Obese 45 years ago; state champion power lifter 1978; in better shape today at 61 than when on swim team in high school
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Author of "Think and Grow Fit" a rational person's guide to getting fit and staying that way forever
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Author (mark19). Submitted on Mon, 24 May 2010 Time: 12:12 PM

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