Michelle Allison
Canadian nutritionist, author of the blog The Fat Nutritionist.
Dietetics - a young science, which lies at the intersection of several disciplines: chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, psychology. And while scientists are still far from the clues of proper nutrition, we need something to eat to survive. And in the absence of guarantees of each meal is like a leap into the unknown.
Anthropologist Ernest Becker in his book "Escape from Evil" (Escape From Evil) Describes eating as the oldest ritual magic, an action that brings vital energy from one subject to another. All animals to sustain their lives should eat other life, whatever form that may take: breast milk, plants and corpses of other animals.
absorption event, taking in a formerly living thing - a process necessary for survival. But think about it unpleasant and disgusting, because it turns out that between food and death, there is a direct link. People due to self-consciousness from an early age are aware of death. Becker believes that the fear of death and the need to suppress this fear largely determine human behavior.
How did the food culture
Ancient people, filling the stomachs must be decided that life - it's not just survival. They began to create things that could find forgetfulness, tranquility, relaxation, sense. They have built a culture in which death was not the end, but just another rite of passage. People have come up with a system of values, symbols, rituals and rules. Food and Nutrition have also become part of this system.
Now the consumption of food is so enriched with different cultural meanings that for most people its relationship with the cruel laws of survival is completely lost. Even for those who live in extreme poverty, cultural meanings around food are paramount.
People eat when celebrating and mourning; eat, because it is time to eat or to get close to other people; eating out of boredom or for pleasure. No wonder that the primary function of food is so deeply hidden.
No one wants to think about every day that a bowl of cereal for breakfast - a way to postpone death.
The whole essence of the power of culture to forget about death. The desire to live (not just postpone death, but it is completely overcome) grew into an obsession, turning a person into an object that can achieve immortality.
The cult diets and healthy eating - an attempt to transcend his animal nature.
The paradox omnivorous
Man - the most promiscuous of omnivores who ever lived on earth. People eat other animals, insects, plants, fish and seafood, and in rare cases, even the earth, clay, chalk.
We are looking for the variety and novelty, but at the same time can not escape anywhere from inherent in us the fear of food. This reflects the well-known paradox omnivorous, first mentioned psychologist Paul Rozin (Paul Rozin).
The paradox of omnivorous - anxiety arising from the conflict between the desire to try new food and inherited fear of the unknown food.
The rest of omnivores are also experiencing such contradictory impulses, but the man is particularly acute. If not for a tiny probability poisoning and death lurking behind every product and every new diet, choose foods would be easier. Would not it be so much repost on social networks about the need to drink two liters of water per day, or about the magical properties of apple cider vinegar and coconut oil. All belonged to a quieter meal.
Despite numerous attempts of scientists, nutritionists, chefs and celebrities to write a single guidance on nutrition, precise rules we have and no.
Everyone has to reconcile the need for food, and fear of the unknown, when we are still too small to read, count calories and understand abstract ideas about the assimilation of nutrients. All of us as a child passes through the stage fastidiousness in eating. This is a manifestation which has developed in the course of evolution a survival mechanism. It is not surprising that children all over the world are trying to taste, but spit mashed peas.
modern heroes
Omnivorous gives freedom, which pleases and scares simultaneously. Therefore, to protect ourselves, we prefer to follow the example of respected leaders.
Modern heroes - a healthy diet gurus claim that they were cured of obesity, disease and meaningless existence with the help of vegetable juice. Ancient heroes earn their status by defeating death. Today's heroes as proof of his triumph over the beginning of the despicable animals photographed smoothies and themselves in successful positions.
Of course, these gurus do not participate in peer-reviewed research to the anonymous sample. It is much clearer to show your picture "before and after".
Becker believes that at a fundamental level, people experience guilt for being eaten by other living beings, so hungry for redemption of that guilt. A culture not only provides the means to achieve material comfort, but also ways to donate part of it to achieve the desired redemption. Therefore, for a healthy diet guru enough to be healthy, beautiful and successful. They have to give up sugar, cereals and meat. They have to pay.
However, only those who already have the status and resources, can afford to effectively renounce something. For example, to give up sugar and go on some juice from the moss. How else brighter triumph over the animal the beginning and death? And you can do it too. Of course, if you have the time and money on something to decant from moss juice.
As a paradox omnivorous diets generates a cult
People weary and need to choose a vague threat of death lurking behind every wrong choice, crave some of the rules and trust gurus who have achieved success.
We gladly are giving someone their freedom in exchange for the yoke of the diet, which forbids eating favorite foods, and makes us rely on an unknown, inaccessible and tasteless. And all this in order to free themselves from the choice and responsibility.
But diets are constantly changing. What it is now considered the standard of healthy food, Tomorrow may be questionable or obsolete. Besides, it is too much the opposite of diets. Legumes and cereals for many vegans - the basis of the power, but they are the same for paleodiety adherents represent the corrupting influence of agriculture on the environment.
Dietetics itself - a series of contradictions. The only thing that unites the warring diet - a belief that observing them, you can avoid the common human condition and become a pure being.
Some even refer to their diet as a religion, hoping that it will save them. They are waiting, they can protect themselves from disease and death, eating properly.
conclusions
Eat without permanent constraints - is to recognize their mortality and their limits. At the same time you will enjoy food and take responsibility for their choices.
Yes, we still do not know much. But we know that there is no single correct diet. The correct way of eating can be just as much as the people themselves. So that everyone will have to draw their own conclusions about their nutrition and life.