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April 17, 2023
Read time: 2.5 minutes
Today, I will explain why following principles instead of dogma is best in any given topic, and the polarizing topic of nutrition is no different.
When you grasp this, it will unlock a powerful mindset for you. Instead of falling prey to the dogma of whatever nutritional echo chamber you find yourself in, you’ll start to ask the question: what are the underlying universal principles I can pick out here that will apply to me and to anyone I’m trying to help?
Many nutritional “experts” use hyperbolic statements, like:
Kale is bullsh*t!
“X” diet is the most optimal diet for humans.
Meat is killing people!
Carbs are the devil!
These dogmas are, at best, misleading. They also introduce tribalism and an almost religious fervor into the topic of what to feed ourselves, and this isn’t helpful for anyone.
But when you can see through all of the dogma and recognize the underlying principles of nutrition, the question becomes a simple and objective one - what fundamental needs do our bodies have, and what foods will best meet those needs?
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of seeing nutrition as a religion.
I’m not interested in hard-and-fast rules handed down to me by the diet gods. I’m interested in learning how things work, what my body needs at a fundamental level, and what nutrition I need to give my body to thrive.
In my research and experience, I’ve narrowed down 3 foundational principles of nutrition that any diet must adhere to to be truly healthy for the long term. These 3 foundational principles make up a framework that will help you evaluate a particular food or way of eating to see if it’s right for you.
These 3 principles are:
Get adequate high-quality protein.
Target micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids) with your food choices.
Adjust calories to your specific situation and goal.
Future issues of HWB will expound on each of these principles.
TL;DR
For now, recognize that if you prioritize these 3 things - protein, micronutrients, and appropriate calories - you’ll be well on your way to constructing a maximally healthy diet for you, a diet that has room for flexibility and adjustments.
So whether your preferred style of eating is low carb, keto, high carb, carnivore, vegan, vegetarian, or something else, learn to value fundamental principles of nutrition over diet camp dogma.
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