I have to issue a disclaimer this week, I have no medical qualifications, anything I say about diet is based on my personal experience and years of reading about nutrition. I was drawn back to the subject of diet by a report from the National Obesity Forum criticising the latest dietary guidelines issued by the government. There were flaws in the way they made their argument and they are attracting flak for it but on the whole, their core contentions are right.
I'm sure you have noticed that for years we have been told that eating saturated fats and foods containing cholesterol is bad for you, it will make you fat and increase the possibility of heart problems. The latest dietary guidelines repeat these canards and advise eating more carbohydrates and vegetable oil. The Obesity Forum's criticisms reflect what I have learned about my own diet and what I have read. The accepted scientific position now is that eating saturated fat and cholesterol is only bad for you if you eat more than you burn off by exercise. Eggs, full cream milk and other foods containing cholesterol do not raise cholesterol levels in your blood. This is caused mainly by the types of fat you eat. It's an imbalance between 'good fats' and 'bad' ones. The good fats are from oily fish, good unprocessed meat and some other foods like Avocados. The bad fats are highly processed vegetable oils like the ones used by the food processors to increase shelf life and reduce cost in their products. Saturated fats have another advantage, they trigger off the feeling of being satisfied quicker than the cheaper substitutes.
Millions of pounds have been made from promoting diets and special foods but almost without exception, dieting fails. The only time they succeed is if they restrict quantity and increase exercise. My own experience, and it has led to me being re-classified as 'pre-diabetic' and not full blown Type 2 Diabetes, is to avoid processed foods, modified fats and most carbohydrates. Buy natural ingredients and cook them yourselves. Be sensible about quantities and take a reasonable amount of exercise, half an hour walking each day is plenty! A researcher who said that losing one gramme of fat from the pancreas could cure Type 2 was vilified but in my case he was right. There are other advantages.... There is now no Forbidden Zone in my wardrobe! All my clothes fit me.
My contention is that the advent of the Western Diseases and obesity coincides with the rise of the supermarkets and the food processors. For years they have used their massive spending power to influence dietary advice and promote their products. At long last the quiet majority of highly qualified scientists is gaining the upper hand. So take advantage of this, eat what suits you bearing in mind that your biggest friends are the weighing machine and regular gentle exercise. If your experience is the same as mine and my friends you'll love it!
Bacon and tomato. Go for it and then have a walk.
good one.
