On Giving Unsolicited Dietary Advice: Fat, Salt, & Sugar

The issue of "giving people unsolicited advice" is very much on my mind recently.  Although I'm quite busy trying to get this cookbook done, dealing with personal tragedy, and deflecting naysayers, I thought it an interesting issue worth addressing on my blog.

I've been blogging less these days and spending more time in "Twitter-verse (@solveggie)," which, admittedly, is a mixed blessing.  Kinda like a humongous international cocktail party at times, and very addictive.  But, the issue of my pointing out the outrageous sugar and fat content of recipes posted as "healthy" has come up a few times.  People suggesting that it's best to not offer advice unless asked to.  "Keep the Peace."

Yup, that's my normal mode of operation, but regarding fat, sugar, and salt, I throw away that rule.  Let's look at an analogy:  if someone were about to jump off a cliff, "I can fly!!," would I voice a loud concern that, "Hey, that's not a great idea, let's discuss this before you execute?"  You might not be aware of new discoveries regarding the newly proven concept of "gravity."

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in this country.  Modern medical science can't CURE heart disease.  At most, through drugs, invasive surgery ("let's attach a leg vein to the heart, yeah, that'll work"), and other ridiculous (expensive) approaches, at most, they can delay death.  But, they have NOT reversed heart disease.

How many vegetarians or vegans believe that because they eschew meat, dairy, or eggs, exercise a lot, makes them immune to getting heart disease?  It's an illusion.  They may be "less" likely, but, with the added useless oil, sugar, and salt, they are not immune.  That's the problem. They don't know about the new "nutritional gravity" that has been proved.

When two doctors, separated by 2,000 miles (Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and Dr. Dean Ornish) both, independently REVERSE heart disease through a no-added fat vegan diet, with 20 years of peer-reviewed research, it's hard not to pay attention.  Add to that Dr. Neal Barnard reversing Type II Diabetes with a no-added fat vegan diet, and Dr. T. Colin Campbell supporting the no-added fat concept (oh, and he was the head of history's largest study on diet, "The China Study.").

Then, if you factor in that Dr. Esselstyn points out that it's the added fat/oil that fuels plaque development that causes 90%+ of strokes, and that the constriction of one's blood vessels for several hours from eating one high-fat meal has been measured (yup, measured), one gets a better sense of the real issue.

Oil is NOT a food (neither is "Daiya, Follow Your Heart, or Teese").  It is a nutritionally vapid and useless highly processed bunch of fat calories that has severe negative effects on the human circulatory system, especially over a long period of time.  Those saying it's "healthy" are thinking in narrow studies targeted for specific effects, but NOT taking into account the totally of the biological impact of eating this non-food.

I try to be polite.  I try to be nice.  But when I see a single entree (and this one was "raw") promoted as "heart healthy" and it well exceeded the total day's worth of fat recommended by Esselstyn or Ornish (or 1/3 a day's worth of fat by the American Health Association), I sometimes feel obligated to point out the nutritional reality:  it ain't healthy.

Going vegan or vegetarian certainly reduces the probability of degenerative diseases in your life, but going no-added fat vegan pretty much eliminates the possibilities (5% genetics not withstanding).  It's the ADDED OIL that is the real killer, and that's hard to argue against.

Sure, people make their own choices, but there are far too few bloggers, twitters, Facebookers, journalists, vegan "pundits," veg cookbook authors, either aware of or communicating this NEW reality.

"Moderation kills" (McDougall, Campbell, Barnard, Esselstyn).  And the sooner we rid ourselves of the taste addiction to fat (let alone, sugar and salt), the healthier we will truly be.  I've been off added-oil for four years now, and I have no desire at all to use oil in anything.  It can be done.  You can re-calibrate (as Dr. Esselstyn puts it) your taste receptors.  You just need the desire and discipline to try.  Takes about 14 weeks.  Your mileage may vary.

Anyway, if you're about to jump off a cliff and I see you, I will say something.  If you are using "gawd awful" amounts of sugar, fat, and/or salt in a recipe posted online, I might call you out.  "Nutritional gravity."

It's not personal in a confrontational mode, but it's personal in a "life saving" mode.  Life is important.  Life persists.  People need to know the nutritional truth, not the urban myths.  We need to rid ourselves of our taste addictions, and truly embrace "real food. Living, loving, and relishing a long and healthy life depends upon it.

Comments

[Janey Franklin]

Keep standing up, man. It's clear you don't mean to be offensive. You simply feel a moral obligation to caution others. Then they can make an educated choice. The science is so clear. The more we all share this information, the more quickly others can improve their health and the quality of all their years. Thanks for being bold, even when it gets uncomfortable. Janey

[Paul]

Ever realize people are supposed to die? including you.

[We are not "supposed" to die. Our biological systems provide that this will most likely happen. Helping make that event occur faster is pretty, well, stupid.

However, what about the quality of life in the process? Having seen, up close, the pain and anguish people go through suffering from degenerative diseases that could have been eliminated (or mitigated) from a no-added fat vegan diet is difficult.

Sure, I'm going to "die." I intend to do so with pride and knowing that I've extended my life, and quality of life, by getting with a different program. I also intend to contribute whatever I can to helping others in my later years.

This stupid attitude, that I'm guessing you're promoting with your comment, that we "all die sometime" is oblivious to what the process is like with degenerative diseases.''

Not pretty.

Perhaps focussing on what helps make life healthier in the long-term is something you should consider. Is enjoying too much fat, sugar, and/or salt now, worth what the payback might be years from now?'

IMHO, something everyone should consider every day.

You can "die well" or "die hard." The choice is yours, and it's largely predicated upon diet.

Regards, Mark ]

[s]

If people want to hear what you have to say, they will come seeking. Otherwise I vote that you keep your opinions off of other peoples work.

[I vote that you have no valid voice in this issue. You haven't the courage to even use your name, yet you are telling me to avoid voicing an opinon of other people's work.

It's a tough line to walk, but I will walk it. If I believe someone is promoting a very unhealthy meal as healthy, then pointing out the nutritional reality may help some people.

This ain't theory. Added fat kills. Vegans & non-vegans need to know the scientific truth, then make their own decisions as to whether or not they want to risk their lives or not.

Again, if I see "even you" jumping off a cliff, I'll yell loudly.

You can then decide if you want to jump or not.

Mark]

[Ann]

“The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off.” Gloria Steinem

[Alicia (Vegan Epicurean)]

I understand your frustration as I share your feelings. In my opinion most vegan food is just as unhealthy and sometimes more unhealthy than the standard American Diet. It is a bit depressing that people think "faux foods" are somehow better for them.

Good luck with your book,
Ali

[Thanks for the feedback! Best, Mark]

[Tom]

Brilliant Mark. Well done!

[Aw, shucks... (flipping off cow manure on my shoes as I write this)... Seriously, thanks! It was a heart-felt post under a period of time with not a lot of time. The "cliff" analogy came to me in process of writing and really helped me explain the internal conflict.

Inherently, I don't want to tell people what to do, not my job. But.....

In any case, thanks for your comment! Best regards, Mark]