There is no one right way to eat. Regardless of what anyone tells you.
There is hard evidence that sugar/high-fructose corn syrup and industrial seed oils are toxic to the body and contribute to virtually all modern, degenerative diseases – from obesity to diabetes, heart disease and autoimmunity conditions. There is a huge growing body of evidence that soy, in its processed form (i.e. soy milk, soy protein isolate, etc.) is an endocrine disruptor and anti-nutrient and is best avoided.
There is not a one size fits all diet plan for all of mankind. That is why some people do amazing on gluten-free, some on paleo, and some on low carbohydrates. That is why there are “diet fads.” A percentage of the population always has enough success to sell a book, a pill, a plan for a period of time.
We all need to experiment and come up with our own blue-print for healthy eating.
Once a healthy person determines which foods cause weight gain, energy loss, bad skin, allergies – he or she should stick to this plan 80% of the time, and not worry if they indulge a bit the other 20%.
However, if you are sick, recovering, have severe allergies or any other condition – once you determine your individual blueprint – you will know how to eat and nourish yourself to heal.
There are also the common sense principals.
1. If you need to lose weight – you need to consume fewer calories and exercise more (or at least some).
2. Eat more whole foods.
3. Sleep better and most likely more.
4. Manage stress better.
5. Heal your gut by eating food that does not irritate it.
6. Pills and surgery will give you short term results but not make you healthy.
Talk to your practitioner about getting key blood tests in addition to your annual physical and really determine the source of your health issues – weight gain can be indicative of many other issues which as endocrine health.
Lastly, many doctors prescribe antidepressants when a patient has gained weight, is feeling low, etc. This is not a quick fix and most certainly will have significant side effects. Never prescribe to this as a first course line of treatment. Start first with what you put in your mouth. Second, move your body. Third, reassess what is causing you stress. Forth, give yourself a break and get back to being simple in your approach to wellness.
Us humans always have a way of complicating things, don’t we?