Thanks, Heather.
I agree that there is no one diet (diet meaning what one typically eats, not a diet as in a weight-loss effort) that is the best for everyone. I wouldn't even suggest that Fast-5 is best weight-loss/weight maintenance way of eating for everyone. Even if we knew what the best diet was for one person, it would not necessarily be the best diet for anyone else due to genetic differences.
I have been the only moderator of this group until now and my philosophy has been to lean toward permissiveness rather than moderation. After all, I do not know what the perfect diet is, so discussing advantages and disadvantages of different approaches is relevant to those who care enough about their health to try Fast-5. The feedback posted recently indicates that the food evangelism isn't being ignored as I thought, but is being perceived as hostile and bullying. I do not know why some who eat a particular way feel so strongly about it that everyone should. Perhaps it is so that if their choice turns out to be an error, they will have company in the outcome. Perhaps they see the choice as obvious when to other perspectives it simply isn't so.
It could be beneficial to our descendants for each of us to adopt a specific philosophy of food selection and stick to it (i.e., vegan, vegetarian, paleo, carnivore, low carb, zero carb), so that one day we might actually be able to sort out what is the best diet for people of a particular genetic makeup. That said, I don't feel any real obligation to stick to something forever if it gets boring, doesn't feel good, or some piece of evidence suggests it may not be such a good idea. Life is for living. Enjoying food, particularly with others, is a part of it.
People in this group should all feel welcome to express opinions even if it is simply based on personal hunch or experience. I value all of the experiences that have been shared here. Those opinions should be expressed in a tone of sharing or support, not criticism. That's a distinction that I should have been more emphatic about in my moderation of this group, and I apologize for not correcting the issue sooner.
For those who have been contributing with a positive/supportive tone, I thank you. If any of you receive future posts that you find offensive, unpleasant, negative or critical, you're welcome to email me directly.
Thanks,
Bert
Bert Herring
Fast-5 Corporation
--- In fast5@yahoogroups.com, Heather Twist <HeatherTwist@...> wrote:
>
> That's a good term, "food evangelism". It bothers me too, which is why I try
> to post "counterpoints". Fast-5 is NOT about "one diet". I mean, it's
> a very good thing to post "what works" and "what doesn't work" ...
> that is how we learn. Or "in this study, they found that ... ". Fast-5
> is largely about experimentation.
>
> But it's a different thing to say "You have to do this!". It does kind of
> ruin the ambiance (and maybe the willingness for people to share
> their own experiences).
>
> Perhaps we can put it to Dr. Herring: if the consensus is that
> "food evangelism" is off-topic, people who indulge in it can be
> put on moderation? I tend to agree with Flippetskater, the people tend
> to follow people around, so ground rules are maybe more effective than
> unsubbing.
>
> Personally too, I dislike Sparkpeople because of all
> the ads, and their emphasis on certain kinds of foods (mostly food
> products, not what I would call "real food". I really don't care which
> is better, McDonald's or Wendy's!). Being bombarded with the concept of
> counting calories leads me away from my primary goal, which is to figure
> out "what really works" for my particular body, largely based on what
> my own appestat is telling me.
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Apr 1, 2011 at 7:20 AM, <msdanacat@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > This group used to be much more friendly, helpful and inclusive. Heather
> > and others were and still are very interesting and educational, and I've
> > learned a lot from them.
> >
> > For some time though there has been a bullying atmosphere brought on by
> > several members who are, as has been said, overly "food evangelical." The
> > attitudes on display are obnoxious, rude and off-putting, regardless of the
> > merits of the eating program they promote.
> >
> > I can't blame those who wish to leave, but I will miss reading their
> > contributions. I don't intend to unsubscribe myself, but think I will also
> > check out this newer group.
> >
> > - Dana
> >
> >
> >
>
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