Nutritional Common Sense

   At least once a week, I have someone approach me who's reading a book about, or on, the latest diet trend. Paleo, gluten-free, etc., the approach is almost always messianic in tone, and frankly, there's no sense in trying to rebut the argument. "Hey, if it works for you, go for it," is my feeling.
    All of those diets will work short-term. If you eliminate an entire food group, no matter what it is, you will lose weight. Hamburger without the bun? Yeah, your reducing calories, for sure...Bun without the hamburger? Yes, same effect! There are two main problems. First, eliminating an entire food group will likely leave you lacking in energy to get a good workout, and will probably leave you
short of some valuable vitamins and nutrients that stave off illness and disease.
    Secondly, very few people have the discipline to sustain that dietary lifestyle, long-term. You have a wedding coming up in six weeks you want to lose 15 pounds for, you can do it. A year from now, very unlikely. Birthdays, Holiday dinners, after-work cocktails, summer picnics....reality usually wins out.
    Exercise and a sensible diet are the time proven way to go, for health and weight control. Eat a wide variety of foods in small portions, and make sure their nutrient dense. Aim for losing a pound a week, if weight is an issue. Four pounds in a month? Doesn't sound like much. But how about 50 pounds in a year?
  Caroline Susie, a registered an licensed dietitian located in Dallas illuminated on some dietary fads in an article I saved in my files from last year.
   Concerning gluten, she points out (in a syndicated Dallas Morning News article) that gluten is an a naturally occurring protein in wheat, barley, and rye. It gives dough it's elasticity. Ms. Susie feels that unless one is gluten intolerant or has celiac disease, there's no reason to give it up. She also points out that gluten-free products are usually higher in fat and total calories than foods containing gluten, and that those who eat whole grains lose weight or gain less weight over time than those who don't.
   Concerning the Paleo Diet, based on the hunting and gathering habits of our ancient ancestors, Ms. Susie humorously remarks that our average lifespan is way longer than our Paleolithic relatives, and we're living healthier, too!
   Like me, she has a problem with eliminating entire food groups like dairy, grains, and potatoes, but she does like the aspect of emphasizing lean proteins, vegetables, fish, eggs, and berries, as well as the exercise component.
   Ms. Susie recommends that those interested in this type of diet go with a "modified Paleo," eliminating processed food and sticking to fresh, whole products.
   I think that's a good idea for anyone, no matter what you call the diet!