I attended an in-house company nutrition seminar last week. It was very informative. The content was good, and the delivery was great as well. It made me think a lot about nutrition, access to information, and a government-directed approach to what is perceived as the best course of action for various aspects.

I take my nutrition pretty seriously and have been doing so for many years now. I have tried different diets such as vegetarian, vegan, cutting diets, bulking diets, carb restrictions, raw, and probably a few others along the way. I have now settled on a primarily ketogenic-based diet, while including periodic carbohydrates, primarily sweet potato. I also include some natural supplements, herbs, spices, and dark chocolate. I'm not a nutritionist, but I am fairly in tune with my body and feel as though my subconscious guides the way for me, as well as physical, mental, and spiritual output.

As I was listening to the instructor who delivered the seminar, I was taken aback a little bit. I have followed that eating style for years. My parents were taught it, and I was taught it, and I almost blindly followed it without hesitation. As I got older and needed to modify my diet to assist in recovery, maintain or increase weight and size, decrease inflammation, and try to keep a clearer head, I learned that this protein, fat, and balanced carbohydrate diet, 2 portions of fruit, and 5 portions of vegetables, and the emphasis on trying to attain an eating habit focused around eating produce in all spectrums of the rainbow, this was not necessarily the most beneficial diet and was definitely subjective to the person following it.

It wasn’t necessarily about the nutritional guide but more so the delivery. It was presented as the path everyone should follow, and failure would result in a negative outcome. "You need to have 36 pieces of fruits and vegetables a week to be in the healthy category, and if not, you run the risk of health issues." I do believe that the fundamental basis of this guide is for the best possible outcome for everyone, and the emphasis on eating whole foods over processed was a great aspect of it. However, the ability to separate yourself and your train of thought from these workshops and seminars that follow a very rigid, outdated, government-advised policy is important in the search for happiness.

In times of government drive in any facet, it is important to try and evaluate the information you are presented with an open mind and choose what you would like from it. In an age where access to information is readily available, and there are comparative opinions on almost all topics on both sides of the fence, it is important for us all to evaluate from a neutral position, try what works for us, and base our progress on our own self-analysis. I'm not a dietician, but I listen to various doctors and nutritional experts from both sides of the fence, try what works for me, and repeat. It's easy to feel absorbed by someone who is delivering an important message, and it can become gospel-type information to your mind. However, it is always important to evaluate as many opinions as you can for yourself, filter the information, and make your own call. If you always make the decision for yourself, right or wrong, you will be happier for it and subsequently be more successful in the search for happiness.

Thanks,

Dean