Food Confusion- What should we be eating?

Are You confused about what is a Healthy Way of Eating? It seems that today there is so much information about food...but so much confusion! 
What should We be Eating?

There are many reasons why we choose to eat the way we do.  

I understand that many people choose to eat Vegan or Vegetarian for many diverse reasons... Many can not eat grains as they are not able to tolerate gluten in wheat, oats, rye and barley. Others can' t digest dairy. These choices are not usually a result of food confusion..they are a lifestyle choice and in some cases a life saving necessity.

Let me make it clear from the beginning...I am not a dietician, I have no claims to know any more than you about good nutrition...I am simply writing from my own journey with food confusion and my personal struggle with excess fat on my body and a BMI over 30. 

I do not like the word..'diet' if it is not coupled with 'healthy eating and all things in moderation'....

I am not immune to the plethora of new food fads that feature on every google search. In my search for the ultimate healthy eating plan I have read so many confused and conflicting articles it is no wonder there is so much food confusion. Obesity is on the rise and seems to be concurrent with every new diet, wonder diet, super diet and ultimate diet that is touted as guaranteed to help you lose your weight and keep it off!

If you, like me, just want to lose some fat, keep to a healthy weight, eat to be healthy and get well, then the world of dieting and eating plans has let us down dismally! When reading about the different diets on Google or in books, it is almost as if we are reading articles and books written by Zealots who leave no room for any other way of thinking about or consuming food. It's sort of my way or the highway mentality!

If we are not eating Super Foods or Low Carb,  or following a Paleo, Primal, Atkins, McDougall, or numerous other diets on the market...then we are letting our bodies and our health down! 

I have come to the conclusion that we are letting the marketers down if we no longer buy into the slick advertising and possible pseudo science that centres around the food and dieting industry. If we don't buy their books and eating plans...then what happens? We are not spending money and they are not earning it!  

In my search to lose fat  (as opposed to weight) I tried the Atkins Diet. Very low carbohydrate, moderate protein and high fat. Very soon my body was in ketosis and I was losing those kilos...but I did not find Atkins to be an easy 'take anywhere' style of eating...I did not like the focus on meat and fats, even though lots of vegetables could be eaten. 

I like my carbs! I like my Oat porridge and Vegemite Wholegrain toast! I like brown rice and barley! 
These are not bad foods! In fact they are healthy and wholesome. 

Now if you follow a Paleo or Primal diet, the premise is that our early ancestors did not eat grains.
'Paleo diets are based on a simple premise – if the cavemen didn’t eat it, you shouldn’t either. So long to refined sugar, dairy, legumes and grains.' 1

I give a big thumbs up to cutting down on sugar and processed food...it is common sense!  I know that when I eat a donut or Twix, I am not eating for my health or fat loss! I have no real problems with the Paleo diet...except that I think (and I am certainly no expert on nutrition or Neolithic or Palaeolithic humans) they are working off an incorrect premise. Early humans did eat grains! Below is an interesting talk by Christina Warinner, an Archeological Scientist, on the premise behind the Paleo Diet. She does not say the foods eaten by those who follow a Paleo diet are bad or unhealthy...she simply elucidates the science behind an incorrect premise.

Where are we to turn? There is so much food confusion! 

I have no problem with people eating Vegan, Vegetarian, Primal, Low Carb High Fat or any other number of ways to enjoy food! I, like many others, want to eat for optimum health! Could it be that all we really need to do is use our common sense? Perhaps this is a good formula...eat less rubbish, move more, and eat a balance of nutritious foods all in moderation?

Could it be that whole grains, fats, carbohydrates and starches, dairy and meat are not the real enemy to our weight woes? Perhaps I just need to listen to that echo from my childhood...eat lots of fruit and vegetables, wholemeal and whole grains, small amounts of meat, drink your full cream milk, enjoy an egg...have a treat now and then...but don't eat too much! And get outside and play! 

I would love to hear from you if you, like me, have ever been food confused. Feel free to comment but please leave your name:)

Further Reading: 
This is a very informative and sensible article on food.

• Sugar, Saturated Fat, and Science: Today’s Health Meets Yesterday’s News
  

Below is an excellent website on nutrition

• Choose Nutrition

1. http://health.usnews.com/best-diet/paleo-diet