Paleo, Vegan, Low Carb, Gluten Free: Which Diet is the Healthiest?

Remember the scene from the 1973 movie "Sleeper" in which a health food store owner is woken out of his frozen state 200 years into the future:

Dr. Melik: Well, he's fully recovered, except for a few minor kinks.
Dr. Agon: Has he asked for anything special?
Dr. Melik: Yes, this morning for breakfast. He requested something called wheat germ, organic honey and tiger's milk.
Dr. Agon: [ laughs ] Oh, yes. Those were the charmed substances...that some years ago were felt to contain life-preserving properties.
Dr. Melik: You mean there was no deep fat? No steak or cream pies? Or hot fudge?
Dr. Agon: Those were thought to be unhealthy, precisely the opposite of what we now know to be true.
Dr. Melik: Incredible.

Who thought steak would ever be considered a health food?

Released during a time when low fat was king and wheat germ had the cachet of flax and chia seeds, "Sleeper" epitomizes the topsy turvy world of nutrition. Substances like eggs, coffee, chocolate and red wine are no longer considered bad, and juicy steaks are now revered by Paleo types, most of whom wouldn't let wheat germ touch their lips.

Were you to read a health magazine from the 1970s today, you would likely laugh at some of the dietary recommendations and taboos. We have moved past a one-size-fits-all approach to diet and nutrition toward a more pluralistic view that considers biodiversity and personal preference.

A couple of decades ago, I was a strict vegan for a few years, but I started craving meat. Rather than suppress this urge, I gave in to it. Gradually I came to realize my body is happier when I eat beef, chicken and fish.Yet others who eschew anything with a face or byproduct thereof may feel worse after eating these foods.

Rather than claim, "My diet is right" or "This is the best way to eat," we should all take a step back and consider what is correct for us. If we are at a healthy weight, have sufficient energy and enjoy a feeling of well being, our diet is good, whether it's vegan, paleo, low carb or the Dr. Oz diet du jour.

Still, if you're in the process of losing weight on a program like Medifast, you likely deal with naysayers on a daily basis. The know-it-alls will lecture you that replacement meals are not natural and you cannot eat them forever.

But if you are losing weight and feeling fine, keep doing what you're doing. Medifast worked for me, and it may work for you, too -- though ultimately the program is not designed for you to eat packet meals and shakes forever.

Like Goldilocks, you will ultimately develop a just-right eating style based on regular foods that you have customized to your taste buds and body type.

You can purchase Medifast replacement meals directly from Medifast Centers, the Medifast website or -- for no extra cost -- through the co-branded website of a Medifast TSFL health coach. Medifast does not recommend purchasing its products from third party vendors, but if you choose to do so, you can find them on both Amazon and eBay.

Medifast replacement meals on Amazon

Similar posts:

How Medifast Helped Me Develop Better Habits

Medifast Centers Vs. DIY Medifast

My Favorite Medifast Kitchen Gadgets

Medifast Vs. Lean Cuisine Diet

Visit my other blogs:

Fit Kitty

Food Trends 

Bookish

Dictionary Woman