I saw this article recently and found the wording interesting https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/08/opinion/sunday/women-dieting-wellness.html
The author makes the statement, “That said, I am probably never going to love my body, and that’s O.K. I think loving our bodies is not only an unrealistic goal in our appearance-obsessed society but also a limiting one.” I have to disagree with her. I would say she is still too young (32 years old) to come to an understanding to love her body.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am not denying how many diets I have tried. The cabbage soup diet, the scarborough diet, and food combining to name a few. I also had my share of food/body issues. Being in my late fifties, I see all the changes aging can make. I think about my complaints in the past and see how trivial they are. When I hear my clients complain about “crepy” skin or flabby lower abs my retort is, “Well it is not cancer.” That usually puts things into perspective. I have lost several clients and friends to the disease.
The authors use of the term “pseudoscientific claims” does not bear weight. The Keto Diet has been proven to reduce seizures in children https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/ketogenic-diet/ . Friends of mine have lost weight on Keto, but the strictness of the ‘diet” has caused them to wane in their diligence. However, for the most part, they have kept most of the weight off. The emphasize on minimum sugar/carbs is something we as a society can use.
Another new one is the Intermittent Fasting trend. It has strong evidence of warding off neurodegenerative diseases https://www.johnshopkinshealthreview.com/issues/spring-summer-2016/articles/are-there-any-proven-benefits-to-fasting
Fasting seems more reasonable to me. Once a week I have a 21 hour fast. I have my last meal by 6pm and then do not eat until 3pm the next day. I like part of my time fasting is during my sleep. I also like there is no need for a whole new menu, grocery list, and restrictions.
I do find it ironic, however, I live a life where I can purposely starve myself. I know there will be more research done on fasting. It is so much better to fast than to take a pill.