I just read an article on the internet about dangerous diets of the stars. It was written by some well meaning writer/dietician who seemed to find the same thing wrong with each diet. Namely, the lack of Vitamin D and calcium. I could find no evidence that she worked for the “Milk Board” but her singular cause made it seem like she might.
As I have said before, I don’t believe any diet works, regardless of the amount of milk. If you are fat, you need to change the way you live. That means eating whole foods, mainly plants and eat less; completely cut out sugar, and exercise. You will slowly lose weight and if you maintain the change, you will also maintain your weight. If you don’t, you will get fat again.
The well meaning writer (who may or may not have been influenced by the milk board) was concerned about the loss of vitamin D. Vitamin D is synthesized in your body and the trigger mechanism is in your skin and is activated by ultra violet rays. Yep, sunlight. So, unless you live in an extremely dark place all of the time (you studio rat friends of mine take note) you do not have to worry about Vitamin D. Calcium, on the other hand, is stored and retrieved from your bones and teeth. The continual loss of calcium can cause weakening of the bones and real problems for older people. The main source is in milk and milk products and also in shellfish and a number of vegetables and fruits. Most people do not have a lack of calcium and if they do it is usually accompanied by the lack of vitamin D, which is also rare. The exception is people suffering from osteoporosis and they should be under a doctor’s care.
But, here is a delicious way to get a little cheese in your diet.
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 2 Handfuls Arugula
- 2 Tablespoons Good Blue Cheese
- 1 Apple, peeled and chopped
- Lemon
- Olive Oil
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Salt and Pepper
Tools
- Salad Bowl
- Chef’s Knife
- In the salad bowl place two handfuls of arugula and salt it. I use this method to measure salad amounts. I figure that a good handful is just about all the salad I want and need. I hate wasting it.
- Peel and chop an apple into bite sized pieces. Squeeze a little lemon on the apple once it’s chopped to keep it from browning.
- Add apple and crumbled pieces of the cheese to the arugula.
- Make a simple vinaigrette of two parts oil to one part vinegar, depending on the strength of the vinegar. Taste as you go.
- Dress with just enough to lightly coat the leaves. Add a little pepper and a squeeze of lemon and toss with your hands.
table366 
Chris, I agree with what you are saying, but not with what you are saying. If you have a single objective (become thin), a diet will not work. But the right diet—the right foods…in the right order…in the right combinations…with plenty of water—works wonders. Not to make you thin (although it can work along with exercise to that end). But to make you healthy…and to make you the best (and best looking) version of yourself at your age.
The big problem—the problem that is the driver of the whole diet industry—is that our culture makes us want to be something (someone) other than who we are. I just spent a couple of days with a group of people whose average age is something over 80. Most of them eat well, stay away from prescription drugs if possible, walk, read, work puzzles, and have lots of lively conversation. They look their age. And they look beautiful.
If they wanted to look like Taylor Swift, they would end up just being pathetic. Ever read “Death in Venice?”
Nice blog, Chris. Fun to read.
James, The word “diet” has been hijacked by an industry intent on making money from the vanity of our society. That is why I say “diets” don’t work. If you are fat and do not have a medical disease that is causing the weight gain, you are fat because of lifestyle decisions largely due to your environment and lack of education. My goal when discussing this topic is to give people as much legitimate information as I can without being too preachy or over the top. Some things I know to be really important because of overwhelming empirical evidence like completely cutting out soda and sugary drinks including fruit juices and I will go on about those from time to time. Other things like portion control are logical but up for debate and therefore I don’t emphasize too much those issues.
The single biggest problem in the world of food and nutrition is that we have made it an industry. Every aspect is made into an industry. If you look at any one of those industries, you will see the culprits, from processed food to fad diets. It is very interesting how many areas all at once are pointing to the same problems. Access to food and health care are human rights. The sooner everyone accepts this, the better our children’s chances are to outlive us. Currently, it’s not looking that good.