It isn’t hard to learn how to be 50% healthier than the standard American diet. That is the best place to start since a total transformation is almost impossible. Fad diets can actually be great, and I would say that most of their testimonials are true for the most part. Most fitness and nutrition “experts” have a basic understanding of what is universally known as BAD and GOOD. The problems arise when they exclaim pure truth to people about their products or their diets. They are different for a reason, so somebody can make money off of people doing them. It is fine to do most of them with basic research like “can I die if I only eat bananas for 6 months.” After that, it is always important to learn more on your own. Never take one person’s word as the gospel. Find literature and statistics that comes from all sides, because you can always learn, and you never actually know what a person’s reasoning is when they tell you about their products or ideas. You can make vast improvements doing some very weird and unhealthy diets, but it is longevity that comes into concern with most of the “fad diets.” You can get quick results, but you always want to learn about what you need in the future as far as nutrition. Short term and long term can be vastly different in the human body. The data is always changing and the science can be hard to follow, but for the most part, you can learn and make changes for yourself accordingly. Everyone is different and from taste to bodily reaction, you never know how individuals will react to certain things. Sometimes it is a long game. I don’t react negatively to much, so it’s admittedly fairly easy for me. I know what I like, but I also realize things that are missing from my daily diet, and I try to incorporate them. People will stand on their mountains and yell about what is best, and why your idea of health and nutrition is wrong, but fuck them in the ears, they’re annoying.
Along with the partisan diet experts, you have the “I’m gonna die anyway, so I’ll just eat what I want” people. That outlook is totally fine, but it is always a little weird to me that I’m the outcast for actively trying to live a longer and more comfortable life. Eating healthy and exercising to me is just obvious maintenance. I always compare the body with a car. Getting the proper nutrition is changing the oil, and exercise is changing/rotating the tires, etc. Gluttony is the leading killer in America, and nobody does anything to change, but if a friend smokes or is an alcoholic, then we all talk about it. Food is an addiction as well, and it’s a very dangerous one, and pretty fucking delicious if you eat cheesecake everyday, I get it. We can all do what we want, which is a beautiful luxury. I am certainly not perfect and the older you get the harder it is to be vigilant with your diet and exercise. Simply put, if you do a fad diet and it helps, keep going. Research healthy alternatives and learn what elements are best to incorporate in your routine. My main reason for trying to be healthy is that I want to be a capable older man. I want to be able to hike at the Grand Canyon when I’m 80, and just get outside to enjoy my old age. Also, overall health is the best way to avoid cancer and other diseases/illness. You don’t see fat old people for a reason, and most very old people are bent over and falling apart. Science shows us how to slow that process and it doesn’t really take that much effort. Eat some healthy alternatives, take necessary supplements, and get off your fat ass. People hate to be uncomfortable, but if you get up and get uncomfortable 10% of the time now, it will make 100% of your life more comfortable in the future.