All Things in Moderation?

Okay, so I will probably offend 80% of readers with this but I speak truth, people. And truth can hurt. Often when I'm following a strict competition diet or cutting out sugars, people say, "Well, I believe all things in moderation." It's usually said in that tone that implies I'm insane, extreme, stupid, or unwise.

All things in moderation, my gluteals! Read the real meaning: I want to eat what I want to eat & drink what I want to drink. Or: I don't have the willpower or desire to cut things from my diet that I know are harmful so I will soothe my guilty conscience with Aristotle or scripture (whichever you feel holds more value) which so clearly states: all things in moderation.

Well, right off the bat, that contradicts itself by saying "all things"-- is the word "all" moderate? But I digress.

When people claim they follow this premise in their diet, all things in moderation, it most likely breaks down to: 25% processed food, 25% real food, 25% diet soda, 25% Nutella (or HoHos or Oreos or you get the picture-- and yes, I realize the latter 2 categories also belong to the first). Possibly I'm being generous with the 25% real food. And yes, it may be stuck up to say, but I'm not sure most Americans know what I mean by "real food". Again, I digress.

Back to the matter at hand: MODERATION. This is bogus to believe a diet can be moderate. If it were truly meant to be moderate, the food guide would look like a square with equal parts, not a triangle/pyramid (of the past) or a round plate with differing pie sizes (sorry, didn't mean to set you drooling with the word "pie").

A good diet is anything but moderation. Some food items you should eat ABUNDANTLY (vegetables), some MODERATELY (fruits, complex carbs, proteins) and some SPARINGLY (healthy fats). Some people discover from experimentation or their doctors that certain food items are completely off-limits, gluten, peanuts, shellfish, lactose, etc. Consuming these items, even in moderation, could lead to itchy, if not fatal, consequences.

So "all things in moderation" is probably the worst motto by which to live. I'm sure one could continue to argue many aspects of life in which this theory does not hold true, effective, or productive.

So for my clients who are getting this line from "well-meaning" friends, just nod & smile. Or send them this link. Let them eat their words . . . in moderation, of course :)