The Dreaded Word... DIET

Truth be told, we lost sight of eating right years ago. The Paleo diet's way of eating dates back to caveman times. The "organic" way of eating dates back 10,000 years when people went from hunting and gathering to growing items locally. For instance, the flour used for bread was ground up wheat straight from the field not enriched like today's flour. Less than a century ago, processed foods came into play out of convenience. Canning vegetables/fruits has been around much longer however, there were no preservatives except removing air from the food and the occasional salt/vinegar.

The pure definition of "diet" is the foods eaten, as by a particular person or group. Today's definition of diet (such a selection or a limitation on the amount a person eats for reducing weight) is relatively new (within the last century). It wasn't until this time that the weight loss industry started booming. Ever heard of the HCG diet or the Master Cleanse? Both diets started in the 1940's and 1950's. This was the time when processed and convenience foods started to become reality. The basis for both diets (meant for short-term use) was to bring our bodies back to a normal way of eating.

If you look at the non-pill diets or ways of eating, you will notice they all have something in common... Getting back to the perimeter of the grocery store. Staying away from the processed foods with the exception of spices, oils, and vinegars. Frozen fruits and vegetables are good too.

I've read several books (which are about to go to a garage sale) including:

The Virgin Diet
Chris Powell's Choose More, Lose More
Cook Yourself Thin
Eating For Life
The South Beach Diet
The Paleo Diet Solution
The Mayo Clinic Diet

Oh the list goes on (can't remember every book I invested my hard-earned money into). Again, they all have something in common... eating whole foods. Yes, some of them do provide dessert options other than fruit, but all focus on eating fruits, vegetables, meats, etc. which are located in the outer sections of the grocery store.

All this being said, have you tried any of these? Were you successful? I know I have and (obviously) was not successful. IT IS HARD!!! You are used to eating a certain way for all of your life and now you have to undo those teachings and habits and it is not easy! On top of it, it is not cheap either. Every tried eating healthy? Even going to Trader Joe's or Costco (much better organic selection than Sam's), the total at the cash register is just painful.

So what to you do? Some would say "FORGET IT" and continue as they have. Some people really are strong and can do it on their own. Some people need a team to help them. Some people hit rock bottom health-wise are forced to. What would make you breakdown and remove processed sugars, dairy, and gluten?