Paleo Foundation
  • Get Started
    • Apply Now
      • Paleo
      • Keto
      • Grain-Free
      • Paleo + Keto
      • Paleo + Grain-Free
      • Keto + Grain-Free
      • Paleo + Keto + Grain-Free
    • Certifications
      • Paleo Certification
      • Keto Certification
      • Grain-Free Certification
  • Certified Brands
  • Research Library
  • More
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • News
      • Keto Diet
      • Grain-Free
      • Paleo Diet
      • Microbiome
      • Case Studies
      • Announcements
      • Ingredients
      • Business
      • Espanol
Hope for The American Diet

Hope for The American Diet

January 28, 2015 1 Comment 5407 views

This past Christmas Eve I was driving my parents from Washington D.C. To Atlanta, and at hour seven I must confess…I grabbed for my mom’s bag of Cheetos.

As I reminded myself not to eat the entire bag, I remembered my mom’s previous comment, “Cheetos are my comfort food.” I looked at the damage I had done already and told myself I had one more handful to enjoy before leaving the rest for her (she was sleeping).

In true Ron Burgundy style, I thought, “Well that got out of hand quickly!” I connected my desire to continue eating to the popular slogan, “Bet you can’t eat just one!” And truly, it WAS tough to stop. And then I thought, “These scientists sure know what they’re doing to make our ‘food’ so addictive!”

Driving and lost in a continuous stream of thought I continued, wondering, “What hope is there for us (Americans in particular, but I suppose everyone) if I, a model of Paleo adherence, require such willpower to defeat these urges to feast on…junk?” I mean, willpower and discipline are my THING! My greatest strength in my physical accomplishments has never been led by any physical act, it’s been led by the strength of my mind.

What Hope Does the Rest of the World Have Then?

I pondered, “We are conditioned culturally through our youth to eat the foods we eat. We drink sugar water (pop/soda) as if it is the best thing on earth. We don’t bat an eye when a “juice” contains only 5% real juice in its solution! And pizza is almost universally beloved, is it not? Growing up, how popular was mom or dad to when bringing home pizza?”

This is our culture! How will it ever be overcome for the health and betterment of our future? Marketing, advertising, and lobbyists have certainly prevailed…this force is too big to be stopped!

And then I realized our hope.

“People don’t know what they want or need until we show it to them.”

So what model of hope for the American diet do we have? To my Paleo folk,…you’re not going to like this answer. Perhaps our best model is that of veganism.

While we may lose the diet battle with older generations, the hope of our future lies in our youth. But it won’t necessarily start with them. The only way to promote this change is truly one person at a time. The change will start with any and everyone, and take advantage of the malleability of children. Vegans have successfully given us great examples of parents passing their dietary values onto their children.

It Can and Has Been Done. Let Us Remember the Model of Success.

Regardless of whether veganism, Paleo or any diet is the answer to our nation’s dietary problems, we are united in that the model of success for Change will be to educate and expose others, especially our youth, to an alternative to our fast food/junk food nation. Only then will they know their options.

We are seeing it happen already, but we must understand why change is happening. The movement for Change, not specifically veganism, Paleo, or any other diet, begins with exposure. Education and exposure allow the future of Change to see an alternative. Then it will be up to that future population to decide what they want to do, but they will make their decisions knowing there are options!

We can battle it out through dietary dogma for superiority, or we can embrace our commonalities. We aren’t that different. We have common enemies. We have common challenges. And we have a common goal for Change of the American diet if not for our generation, for the future generations.

Already Change is growing in momentum. Natural foods stores are growing in number. Commercial grocery stores are beginning to cater to the desire for organic, grass-fed, and more natural products! The government is subsidizing organic farming. Change is gaining momentum because we are demanding it! Maybe not united, but we are nonetheless providing the demand for new and improved products.

While contemplating thoughts of our commonalities, I realize there is hope for the American diet. And while we can certainly battle it out for a title of dietary superiority that has no actual crown, we would be better served to unite in our common interest – Change.

__________________________________

Hope for the American Diet by Mario Singelmann

Comments

comments

Previous article 5 Tips for Hormonal Balance for Women
Next article The Paleo Diet Is Bullshit
Mario Singelmann

Mario Singelmann

Mario Singelmann is a writer and Director of Fitness for Paleo Movement Magazine. In 2013 he became the first Paleo athlete to earn professional status as a natural bodybuilder. As a trainer/Diet and Fitness coach he has assisted hundreds in their health and fitness transformations. Mario is also the CEO of Get Game Group, offering lifestyle and relationship coaching to men and women. Originally in the field of Education, Mario has qualifications to be a school superintendent, three years experience as a teacher and assistant principal, and has coached football, basketball, soccer, and track. Between his background in Education, coaching athletics, Health and Fitness, and Get Game Group, Mario has worked with all ages and both genders successfully. To contact Mario visit www.getgamegroup.com or mario@getgamegroup.com .

Similar posts from related categories

<span class="hot">Hot <i class="fa fa-bolt"></i></span> The Paleo Diet Is Bullshit

Hot The Paleo Diet Is Bullshit

Food Programs Make It Hard for Parents to Pack Alternative Lunches

Food Programs Make It Hard for Parents to Pack Alternative Lunches

How corporations corrupt science at the public expense

How corporations corrupt science at the public expense

Nurses as Leaders in the Paleo Movement

Nurses as Leaders in the Paleo Movement

Parents, Get It Together

Parents, Get It Together

Navigating Junk Food, Snacks, and Child Food Sensitivities in School

Navigating Junk Food, Snacks, and Child Food Sensitivities in School

Falling Off The Paleo Wagon

Falling Off The Paleo Wagon

Health Care Reform Starts With You

Health Care Reform Starts With You

Comments

  • Robert Robert July 21, 06:55

    I agree change is slowly coming. While the recommended food pyramid is changing much too slowly, the nutritionist on the front lines are advising the public based on more current information.

    Reply
Post Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Latests News

Prime Label Consultants Navigating Keto Labeling Requirements

Prime Label Consultants Navigating Keto Labeling Requirements

March 25, 2021 0
Electronic Press Kit Requirements for Food Brands

Electronic Press Kit Requirements for Food Brands

February 16, 2021 0
Lesser Evil: Embracing Multifaceted Sustainability

Lesser Evil: Embracing Multifaceted Sustainability

Rickaroons: Case Study on The Importance of Community and How Certification Supports That Effort

Rickaroons: Case Study on The Importance of Community and How Certification Supports That Effort

November 30, 2020 0
Ketosis and Carbohydrate Consumption

Ketosis and Carbohydrate Consumption

November 13, 2020 0
4th and Heart: Leveraging Third-Party Certification for Increased Brand Awareness

4th and Heart: Leveraging Third-Party Certification for Increased Brand Awareness

November 11, 2020 0
25
Mar 11:08

Prime Label Consultants Navigating Keto Labeling Requirements

16
Feb 02:34

Electronic Press Kit Requirements for Food Brands

06
Feb 03:48

Lesser Evil: Embracing Multifaceted Sustainability

30
Nov 06:04

Rickaroons: Case Study on The Importance of Community and How Certification Supports That Effort

13
Nov 08:19

Ketosis and Carbohydrate Consumption

11
Nov 01:41

4th and Heart: Leveraging Third-Party Certification for Increased Brand Awareness

  1. Announcements
  2. Business
  3. Case Studies
  4. Case Study
  5. Discussion
  6. Espanol
  7. Fitness
  8. Grain-Free
  9. Health
  10. Ingredients
  11. Interviews
  12. Keto Diet
  1. Microbiome
  2. Misc.
  3. News
  4. Opinion
  5. Other
  6. Paleo Diet
  7. Philosophy
  8. Products
  9. Recipes
  10. Research
  11. Sustainability
  12. Thanksgiving

Popular Posts

5 Consejos para el Equilibrio Hormonal Femenino

5 Consejos para el Equilibrio Hormonal Femenino

August 14, 2018 0
What’s Your Paleo Poop Telling you?

What’s Your Paleo Poop Telling you?

August 11, 2018 10
19 Gluten Cross-Reactive Foods Busted Myth

19 Gluten Cross-Reactive Foods Busted Myth

May 9, 2016 36
Best Ever Paleo Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

Best Ever Paleo Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

October 11, 2016 21
Ceylon vs Cassia : 9 Important Things You Need to Know about Cinnamon

Ceylon vs Cassia : 9 Important Things You Need to Know about Cinnamon

November 9, 2016 0
alcohol 4
breakfast 15
Business 2
case study 24
Certification 2
community 5
desserts 29
Diet 8
fall 30
Grain Free Diet 1
health 36
holiday season 10
Interviews 5
keto certification 1
keto vegan 1
main 25
Opinion 4
PCR 2
Philosophy 5
Popular 12
PRR 1
sides 16
Sustainability 6
trade news 1
why get certified 10
© 2021 Copyright Paleo Foundation. All Rights reserved.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Report an Infringement
Close Window

Loading, Please Wait!

This may take a second or two. Loading, Please Wait!