Are Eating Preferences Replacing Religion?

When I was younger, several people told me:

“Stay away from talking about politics or religion”

It was good advice. People can be very dogmatic about either subject. You try to sway people who disagree with facts and well-reasoned arguments.

They just look back at you and say:

“Nope. I don’t believe you. Here’s what YOU should believe.”

Hopefully that’s it. Sometimes the discussion turns into an argument. Or worse. When I was young, there was no internet. Now it seems like many people spend the better part of their day arguing these topics with strangers.

Seems like quite a waste of the precious time you have on this earth. I highly recommend avoiding it.

However, I’m starting to see this same dogmatism creep into discussions about diet and nutrition. Maybe it’s always been there. People become very caught up in the diet they use. They become condescending to those who don’t follow their diet.

They try to ‘evangelize’ and bring others to their side.

Often they believe they have ‘sinned’ if they cheat on their diet.

There are ‘high priests’ or ‘political leaders’ of the movement.

Like politics and religion, it’s difficult to objectively prove many of the claims of the practitioners. There are too many variables. There’s a LOT of room for interpretation.

Personally I have some very strong views about politics and religion. I do have to work on keeping my mouth shut about my opinions. Sometimes I indulge in the temptation to argue. The temptation is high. I need to work on that.

As for diet, I tend to be a bit more agnostic. I’ve tried lots of different diets.

• Paleo

• Vegan

• Keto

• Carnivore

In every diet phase I was very enthusiastic about the beneficial effects. And yet each time I changed to something different. Maybe because over time the previous diet didn’t provide the results I was looking for.

Or someone I respected persuaded me to change. It can be done. Just like people change political philosophies. Or convert to other religions.

So don’t feel like you have to religiously stick to a certain diet. Don’t feel bad about changing. If you are not satisfied with your diet, change it. Ultimately you want good health, not just good food. The entire scientific community is engaged in constant studies to improve their knowledge. They change their findings regularly.

If you find something works better, you should change as well.

And like religion, you should also realize we are all sinners. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you give into temptation. Confess your sin, and resolve to do better in the future. The diet gods will forgive you.

Good health is a lifelong endeavor. Just like politics and religion. Hopefully over time those three subjects make us better people. I’m praying for it.