The
questions here are true. Only the names have been changed to
protect the innocent.
Q:
"Dear Barbara: I realize you aren’t Ann Landers,
however, I do have a family problem that is in your area of
expertise. We’ve tried for several years to convince my
granddaughter that several members of her family should diet,
exercise, etc. I’ve been rebuffed on each occasion and my
suggestions are totally ignored. Now my great-granddaughter
has changed from a beautiful child into a blimp. My family
members live in another state, which makes it more difficult
for me. Do you have any written material that spells out the
ghastly effects of childhood obesity? I’m out of ideas.
Thanks for listening to my problems. Sincerely, Concerned
Grandad"
Dear C.G.,
Ann
Landers, no. But I can point you to materials that spell out
the sad effects of childhood obesity. One of the most recent
is the 2011 report on childhood obesity from the US Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
.
I also
propose that your well-intentioned suggestions may not be the
best solution for your family’s weight issues. When defenses
go up, motivation to make changes often goes down. I would
guess that your great-granddaughter is still a beautiful child
and needs to hear that.
———
Q:
"I enjoy your column every week. My daughter is a
clinical RD (registered dietitian) at a University Hospital in
Arizona. She and her fiancé are on the "Paleo diet"
most of the time. When they were here for a visit last week,
they told my wife and I about it and it sounds pretty
reasonable. What do you think?"
Dear
Jim,
I
reviewed this diet for another publication last year. Its
basic premise is that we would all be healthier if we ate the
same foods that our ancestors ate 2.5 million years ago during
the Paleolithic era — mainly those that can be hunted,
fished or gathered. It therefore includes meat and fish (wild
game preferred) and plant foods like nuts, berries, seeds,
fruit and vegetables. Grains and legumes are prohibited
because they were not introduced until the Neolithic
(agricultural) era. Dairy foods are out as well, since it was
probably very difficult to milk prehistoric cows.
Supporters
of the Paleo diet present evidence that our current diet
wrecks havoc with our caveman/cavewoman constitution. They
point out studies that show how overly processed foods high in
salt, sugar and fat have contributed to modern diseases like
obesity, diabetes and heart disease. No arguing with that.
I am not
convinced however that I need to trade my morning granola and
yogurt for a grass-fed bison burger (hold the bun). It is also
interesting that — as you point out — most people follow
this diet "most of the time."
What do
I think? I think it’s always good to get back to basics. I’m
just not sure I need to go back 2.5 million years.
