Before I get to today’s post, I need to say something that’s been on my mind for a while, and even more so after a couple of the comments on my last post got a little heated.
When it comes to healthy diets and what we should/should not eat, a lot of people seem to think their way is the only way. I do not agree. No matter what you read in a book, or anywhere else for that matter, there isn’t one single “dietary prescription” that’s going to work for everyone. We’re all different: from our unique cultural backgrounds to our taste preferences to our biochemical makeup. We each need to find our own satisfying way to eat that will best support our individual health. I believe that a whole foods diet supports the health of everyone, but there’s a fair amount of “finessing” that can be done from there…like whether to eat animal foods or not, whether to eat grains or not, discovery/management of individual food allergies/intolerances/sensitivities, etc.
My opinions on nutrition- and therefore the foods that I choose to eat- have been influenced by my upbringing, my naturopathic medical education, my personal dietary experiences/experiments, and all of the research I’ve done (and continue to do every single day) since I set off on this holistic lifestyle path 20 years ago. I started this blog so I’d have a place to share my perspective, which I try to keep both dogma and fad-free. I am grateful that I have a place to express myself, and that there are people who are willing to listen.
That said, I am fine with it if you don’t agree with me…and it’s alright if you want to let me know that in the comments. I can’t possibly please everyone. But I want you to know that I stand by everything I write and I write it with only the best of intentions: to help you live a healthier life. I am well aware that a lot of us are very emotionally invested in our eating patterns and get nervous when our ways are called into question; if that’s true for you, I ask that you keep an open mind and hear me out even if what I am saying makes you uncomfortable. Change can be hard…there’s no doubt about that…but change is what this series is about!
Now let’s get to this week’s One Simple Change topic, ok? Let’s discuss dairy.