The Ultimate Diet

It seems like everyday a new diet book is released on the best sellers list claiming t o have the ONE answe

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r to the developed world's weight epidemic.
These books are usually divided in two categories:

1. Those that tell you to exclude a food group and
2. Those that tell you to use common sense.

I think we are all familiar with the first: the low fat crazes of the 90's (Snackwells, anyone?) The Atkins craze of bacon and steak (hmmmmmm, steak) and a myriad of others that shun balance in favor for the obsessively controlled.

These books appeal to those that have deep guilt issues, and want to punish themselves for being naughty with deprivation.

The second type of book is usually a spin on common sense: don't eat processed foods, there are some foods that are better than others, natural is best, eat more fruits and vegetables and less animal products AND if you do eat animal products, chose lean meats over fried pork rinds. But nobody is going to buy a book based on what your grandma already knew about food. That's why author's need a spin, an exotic twist so they call sell their books.

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They need a trendy yet profoundly insecure celebrity to endorse the diet. ehem. "way of life" Maybe they'll tie some obscure mysticism tied to the way the food should be grown or prepared. They have to. Because common sense is not trendy, it's not fashionable, marketable or profitable. BUT if you embelish common sense with a trendy name (a far away, exotic vacation destination perhaps) Put a shiny cover with celebrity endorsements and submit your "way of life" to all the PR reps you know....

baby!you will make it $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$