The phrase argy-bargy is very descriptive, not to mention fun to say. It means a lively discussion or dispute, and is exactly what the diet gurus are having. The more I follow these disputes, the more they provide me with laughter, partially because they are so predictable and ego-charged.
What is tiresome is that many of these food spokespeople will not allow differing opinions to co-exist. It is a fight to the black-and-white death; shades of grey are not allowed. Doesn't the controversy cause them indigestion?
I continue to research what is best to put in my mouth, and then continue to believe that nutrition is not one-size-fits-all. What is best for me may not be what is best for you. We each must do the work, experiment, to discover what is our optimum individual diet, and not necessarily eat as dictated by some book or personality.
Most of us would probably be happiest and healthiest hanging out in our own, personal shades of grey.
For me:
- Meat is fine sometimes, as long as the animal has grazed on grass and has not been munching lots of corn or ingesting antibiotics
- Sugar is to be avoided (mostly)
- Processed foods are not really food and thus are not good to eat
- Raw is very good, actually excellent, but not to be eaten exclusively, and, most important, its consumption should not be turned into an unforgiving and finger-pointing cause or religion
- Dairy is fine occasionally, as long as the animals from which it comes fit the first criterion in this list
- Eggs can be part of a healthy diet, as long as the chickens were not raised in cages, and were fed a nutritious diet.
The above are my dietary lifestyle conclusions for now. They are mine, and do not need to be yours, of course.
Yes, I started out 100% raw, and over the months could find no evidence
other than anecdotal that the raw choice was the best to make. The clear and credible science was not to be found. If you have any, please send it along.
The raw-food diet also often left me feeling tired and listless. After much experimentation, I concluded that I need animal protein every few days or more. That's my preference, for me. Naturally, you may not be the same.
About those argy-bargies, take a look at the most recent volleys in the nutrition dustups:
- Mighty Rise of Food Revolution and What it Means to You (Mercola.com)
- The Myth of the Rabid Locavore (Huffington Post)
- "Math Lessons for Locavores" (New York Times)
Kind of reminds me of the old West. Duels, but between dieters, not cowboys. I think I will make a T-shirt that says. "Cease fire. One diet does not fit all."
What do YOU eat? What have you decided is the best food lifestyle for you? How did you do your research and experimentation?
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