I am sure when you hear the phrase “Everything in Moderation” you think it is a very reasonable and wise thing to do.
I mean, if you like hamburgers and french fries, as long as you eat it in moderation, that is OK, right?
Well, I am not so sure that “Everything in Moderation” is a wise idea. Let’s think about it a bit more.
Everything?
So, it says EVERYTHING in moderation. How about Hemlock? How about Crack Cocaine? Think of all of the things that should not be part of “everything” when it comes to the statement.
A lot of people don’t like it that I am fasting. That’s OK, what they think really is their opinion. But, no need to give constant criticism. Think about it like this… to me, a hamburger and fries may be just as deadly as crack cocaine is. How? Why?
Well, I can think of a couple reasons.
- I feel that a hamburger and fries would be addictive to me. If I ate one, I might fall back into the habit of eating that. I have a predisposition to want that kind of thing. Now, though, I have kicked the habit and have no desires. But, if I eat that for one meal, maybe I won’t be able to say no to that next burger. Maybe I will be like the alcoholic who takes that one drink after 20 years. Usually, it ends up badly. I have no desire for it now, so why take the risk?
- I am actually allergic to these kinds of foods. I am insulin resistant. Eating a load of carbs has a huge insulin response. If I don’t eat large amounts of carbs, the insulin spikes don’t happen. If I at this kind of thing, the insulin merry-go-round starts again. That is very similar to an allergy. What do you think of a child who has a severe peanut allergy? Should he eat peanuts in moderation? Of course not! He should avoid peanuts at all cost. That applies to me with carbs too.
Fasting?
So, how does this apply to fasting? Well, a lot of people tell me that it is “too extreme” to fast (even though it is something a lot of people do these days). They tell me I should just eat all foods in moderation. If that is what they want, that is fine, and I support it for them. But, I can also choose what is best for me.
For me, if I eat 3 small meals per day, I am hungry. It is very difficult to limit calories like that, for me. I find fasting very easy to do though. I have fasted for extended periods of up to 12 days. I have fasted quite a few times for 10 days and also done a lot of 5-day fasts. It has not been difficult to do. In fact, if you want to call it a diet (I look at it as a lifestyle), I would say that it is the easiest diet that I have ever done in my life.
So, eating in moderation is much harder for me than fasting. So, why not fast?
Everything in moderation? I don’t think it is a wise thing to say. There are always variables. And, let me say, I am not advising anybody to fast, I am only saying it works best for me. Only me. What you do is up to you to decide, and I would not criticize you for it.
Truth lies in the extremes, not in the “middle.”
you know, upon reflection I think that’s true.
Bob, I support you. If it works for you wonderful.
Thanks Luke!
moderation and peace are usually found in the middle ground. Truth, on the other hand is often something that is hard to find and therefore is subject to opinions, mostly based on untruths, and this often polarizes people. The truth is found by pursuing against opposition, while being open to being wrong about what you believe, and is found at the extreme end of the scale.
When I first found out about the type of lifestyle and diet that I’m doing now, I thought it was absolutely idiotic. I resisted it. But enough people recommended it to me, and some people that I really trust, that I decided to give it a try. Doing fantastic things for me, and I know it’s right for me. I’m not saying it’s right for anybody else, but for me it’s the right thing.
I have been following this diet for something with limited fasting as I try to get my medicine adjusted to reduced weight.
Even though certain foods are permitted on the diet, I practice moderation eating the allowed items.
For me, it is the right thing.
Hi LeRoy, I think the difference in what I’m saying and what you are saying is that not everything should be taken in moderation. It’s a personal choice of what you are going to eat or drink, and of those items that you choose moderation is no problem. But as my example in the article, somebody who is deadly allergic to peanuts should definitely not eat peanuts in moderation! I think we’re on the same wavelength here.
Agree. Also, I happened to run across a clip of the Andy Griffith Show where Andy was warning about the danger of eating too many carbs.
How things have changed. Now they make up the majority of the government issued food pyramid, not that I agree with it for myself.
What is the best diet? The one that works.
Now there is a man who really knows what he’s talking about!
Looking for a truth in other’s opinion of you is folly! Do for yourself and be happy with your own choices!
Hi Ron, that’s kind of what I was trying to say in the article. I’m not looking for truth in what other people say about me, I’m at the point I really just don’t care what they say. They are entitled to their opinion, I’m entitled to mine, but only my opinion matters to me. Of course if I find their opinion compelling I may look into it and change my mind, but on this particular matter I’m pretty firm on what I believe, and it’s working well for me.
Bob Martin — Standing up for yourself is the most important. I admire what you’ve been doing. Good health to you!
Thank you Ron. Have a great day.
Actually, “everything in moderation” has been good advice for most people for thousands of years (I believe the saying was attributed to Aristotle). For example, there is nothing wrong for most people to occasionally eat French fries or ice cream, but many people overdo things things, and become overweight and diabetic. I do understand that for some people moderation does not work. In any case, you are a great example of how a change in lifestyle can reverse diabetes, and I admire you for that.
The key though is when you said most people. Most people can eat french fries. Not everybody though, people with diabetes can’t. That’s why I’m saying that everything in moderation is not a good concept, not for everybody.
I like your comparison of Hamburgers to Cocaine , food and drugs of course can be very addictive , there’s a lot of addictions and if it makes you healthy and happy , more power to you Bob
Thank you Lorne! Lots of people can eat hamburgers because they don’t have the same health problems that I do.. but for me, eating a hamburger (the bun is the culprit) is a real killer!
Right on the mark Bob. I completely agree south you!
Thank you Terry! Glad for your support.
Good thoughts, Bob.
I notice how several of the folks commenting “didn’t get it”. Drinking in “moderation”? Well, not for an alcoholic. That’s exactly how most recovering alcoholics who fail do so … they start with jus one or two tiny drinks, just for a taste, never intending to get drunk or even a little “high”. Wham! Falling off the wagon sure hurts.
I’m noticing exactly what you are saying regarding burgers. In days long gone by, eating a big burger used to be very satisfying. That’s the key, “satisfied”, from the word “sated” or finished.
Now, one burger leads directly to another, and after two? I’m still not “satisfied”.
You just can’t apply that “moderation jn all things” to everything, for sure.
Hi Dave, your thoughts and mine are fully in sync. I think a better strategy than “ALL things in moderation” is something like “a variety of things that are good for you in the proper amounts”. Something like that.
I know that fasting is extreme, especially long term fasting, which is what I do regularly now (today I am on day 4 of a planned 6 day fast). But, sometimes in life extreme actions are what is called for. When I get to where I want (and need) to be for my health, I will still fast, but more things like intermittent fasting, like maybe 18 hours per day, with one meal and a snack or something like that. I would consider that moderation, especially in terms of the fasting that my body has become used to.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Bob,
I am VERY interested to hear more about folks that are upset or against you fasting. My Filipino Family and friends very uninformed and resistant to health advice but will jump on ANY trendy pill or super food in the news promoted by ANY Filipino celebrity, GMA or ABS-CBN. Take this and feel great… blah blah blah. Try to show them EVIDENCE and they shrug it off as nonsense and they tell me stories about their friend that did X and got Y. I had one big speech from one yesterday that eating MEAT causes Diabetes. When I mentioned carbs being a major culprit they said…oh carbs are what you need to body cannot survive without them. the more the better. (Dummies)
Are you getting comments and criticism from other filipinos or expats or equally from both. Can yo share what some of the criticisms are and why they might be saying that to you?
FYI, I was into Keto when Keto was not cool or popular or even called Keto. I have been on a Primal Diet for 10 years and it a god send for me personally.
Hi Tito Joe – How are you doing? Have not talked for a while, I hope you are doing well.
I would say that I have gotten harsh criticism from both Filipinos and from Foreigners. One very close friend said that I am an idiot, which I felt was very hurtful.
It all comes down, just like what you experienced, to a lack of knowledge, misinformation. Well, I just try not to listen, and go on with what I know works well for me!
Thanks, Joe, take care of yourself and good luck with your Primal Diet!