Geez, let's make nutrition even harder to understand

[OKCPirate 5,323]

Interesting article in the NY Times. food really effects us. And it also is scary about how once an idea gets popular support, it can take a long time to get people to re-look at the issue. (There is a verse in the Bible that has always struck me: Numbers 14:18: "he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation." I have noticed that it takes that long to get a "generally accepted" principle out of societal group. I initially studied this on how long it took to get rid of racial prejudice, but it seems to track on a number of subjects).

What is the takeaway from an article like this? To me it is a reminder to keep fact checking. When a report says "may" "possibly" I take it with a grain of salt. The other way of saying it is "we are not sure and it's not clear" - when you hear it that way you know to keep your eyes open for more information.

[summerset 5,261]

To make it even more complicated, it depends on the approach a nutritionist or RD follows if a certain food is considered healthy or not.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I am also convinced that we have different nutritional needs. My boyfriend is a trim athletic man. He is a light eater, but grazes alot. I gain weight when I eat that way; he says he gains weight when he eats too much Protein, more typical meals. We compromise by him joining me in mini-meals so I don't get hungry and graze on chips and crackers that he keeps around. He appreciates it that I don't insist that he eat "man sized" portions... so our compromise works. Anyway, my point is that I don't believe one size fits all.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@@CowgirlJane

I totally agree. People have really varied nutritional needs. Based on blood type, age, ethnicity etc.

Years ago I read Eat Right for your Blood Type and it outlined some of these differences not just by blood type but also ethnicity.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@CowgirlJane

I totally agree. People have really varied nutritional needs. Based on blood type, age, ethnicity etc.

Years ago I read Eat Right for your Blood Type and it outlined some of these differences not just by blood type but also ethnicity.

Yes it's not politically correct, but I do tend to agree. It's amazing that certain drugs work better in one race than another. We are all people and deserve the same rights and protections, but we have to recognize biological realities too.

[Djmohr 6,965]

@@OKCPirate

Great article! It is frustrating because you really don't know what's right anymore. Thankfully most of us are learning what works for us and I have never felt more educated on nutrition than I do right now.

That being said, I am always looking to learn more.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@@CowgirlJane

I totally agree. People have really varied nutritional needs. Based on blood type, age, ethnicity etc.

Years ago I read Eat Right for your Blood Type and it outlined some of these differences not just by blood type but also ethnicity.

Yes it's not politically correct, but I do tend to agree. It's amazing that certain drugs work better in one race than another. We are all people and deserve the same rights and protections, but we have to recognize biological realities too.

Right, it is just a biological fact, not prejudice. Different people in different areas of the world have adapted to their environment over the centuries and their bodies and blood process certain foods better.

Just like it is no coincidence that as soon as western style eating and fast foods show up in countries, the obesity rate explodes.

[theantichick 2,204]

@@CowgirlJane

I totally agree. People have really varied nutritional needs. Based on blood type, age, ethnicity etc.

Years ago I read Eat Right for your Blood Type and it outlined some of these differences not just by blood type but also ethnicity.

Yes it's not politically correct, but I do tend to agree. It's amazing that certain drugs work better in one race than another. We are all people and deserve the same rights and protections, but we have to recognize biological realities too.

And something to keep in mind is that, at least from the evidence I've read, the distinction seems to be where someone's ancestry developed and evolved. So regardless of the amount of skin pigment, someone whose ancestors did a lot of evolving on the African continent may have different dietary needs that one whose ancestors did a lot of evolving on the European continent. I have a friend who has a lot of Central American heritage, and she has lactose intolerance likely because her ancestors evolved to get their Vitamin D from the sun. Virtually all of my ancestors are Scandinavian and Northern European, and they evolved to get their Vitamin D from milk instead of the sun. We both have very light skin, eyes, and hair. So the "racial" divides when it comes to things like dietary tolerance and benefit, is a lot more than skin deep, and should be treated as such instead of being subject to political correctness.