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10 Reasons NOT to Eat Healthier




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December 31, 2014 by Andrea Fabry 16 Comments

Many of us are considering a dietary change, one with fewer processed, “boxed” foods. Others are contemplating going gluten-free. Perhaps chronic illness is a motivating factor. Or a child with behavioral issues. Or merely a general desire to eat healthier.

10 Reasons NOT to Eat Healthier

All sorts of doubts creep in when we make a decision to change. Doubts that keep us from taking action. Below are ten such doubts, along with ten truths to counter them.

    1. People will think I’m crazy.
      True.
      People also thought physician Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis was crazy when he suggested that hand disinfection played a role in the health of birth mothers. The connection between the food we eat and our health seems equally obvious, but anytime we go against the tide we are likely to experience ridicule and skepticism. This is simply part of the journey.
    2. It’s expensive.
      True.
      The immediate costs may be higher, but the long-term costs are likely to be significantly lower as we save on doctor appointments, emergency room visits, and prescriptions. Colleen Huber, a naturopath, contends that eating organically is not necessarily more expensive. She did a comparison several years ago and found the two types of diet economically comparable. Her study can be found here.
    3. It might not “work.”
      True.
      Dietary change seldom yields immediate results. Completely restored health is not a guarantee. But there is no guarantee with any change we make. Isn’t it better to try rather than not try? Why not take the risk of eating healthier? If life gets better, and likely it will, healing may simply be honey on the flax cracker (so to speak).
    4. There are so many diets out there. They can’t all be right.
      True.
      Some diets say juicing is good. Others say not. Some are vegan. Others are meat-based. Some are raw. Some are cooked. Some include sweeteners. Others do not. What do they have in common? No approach invites people to eat unlimited fast food, refined sugar, soda, and boxed food. The confusion factor is one of the biggest hindrances toward altering our diet. This is where our intuition is a necessity. There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to food. We’re each unique, with our specific needs. Don’t be afraid to research, study, and ask questions. Be willing to make changes as you go along.
    5. It will be hard on my kids.
      True.
      It’s also true that it is hard on our kids to continue to eat sugar and processed foods. The evidence for this is mounting. We can’t protect our children from pain; we can only do the best we can with the best explanation we can offer. If a child understands the reasons for the unusual foods, he/she may be more willing to try. Offer a trial period such as 30 days. It’s often difficult for a child to think of giving up these refined/processed foods “forever.” Try to find fun, creative alternatives for special occasions like holidays and birthdays.Our son with type 1 diabetes resisted the changes initially but now offers a refreshing perspective. See Colin’s post Type 1 Diabetes and Real Food.
    6. I might get sick.
      True.
      Sometimes the body is so worn down it doesn’t let us understand the food we’re eating is doing us harm. If sugar is perpetuating some of the bad “bugs,” we often don’t know it. When our body “wakes up” and we begin feeding it healthier foods, toxins can die and create die-off symptoms, which are often worse than the general feeling of malaise we may have started with. There are numerous ways to get through the die-off, such as Epsom salt baths, activated charcoal, vitamin C, and many others. If we’re willing to get worse before we get better, we may eventually enjoy a whole new level of health.
    7. My food might not taste good.
      True.
      Diets high in processed foods “trick” the body into thinking it likes something, when, in fact, our taste buds are “dumbed down” rather than enhanced. Give new foods a try. Study the taste system and you’ll find that we are designed for nutritional intricacy. You may be shocked at the foods you will love and how quickly the processed foods lose their appeal.
    8. The extreme dietary restriction isn’t necessarily a good thing.
      True.
      Eating good, healthy, real food does not need to involve restriction. If you look at the ingredients in a fast food meal, you’ll find that corn and soy are behind most of it. In contrast, there are more than 70 types of vegetables, numerous varieties of animals, and lots of parts to these animals. There is an abundance of herbs and spices to flavor these foods. For some,  extreme may not be necessary. Eating less fast food and cooking more from scratch may be enough. But for those with severe illness, this quote from Hippocrates may apply:”Extreme remedies are very appropriate for extreme diseases.”Sometimes a strong message to the body can lead to a big change.
    9. I don’t think I can get my spouse or older children on board.
      True.
      We can’t control others, in any area of life. We can, however, do our best to educate and explain. We can lead by example. We can try. A slow transition is often better than an abrupt, unwelcome change. Introduce one food at a time and try to find satisfying substitutes for their favorite foods. Ask for a family experiment. Initiate challenges. Make the change as exciting as possible.
    10. It will be difficult.
      True.
      There’s simply no way around this one. It is hard to change patterns, food patterns especially. Good things don’t come easily. There’s no magic pill when it comes to health and diet. Convenience foods are just that: convenient. But there is something gratifying and empowering about this kind of hard work.

In summary, there are plenty of reasons to stick with the “old way.” Plenty of reasons not to step out and try something new. This quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes offers some powerful inspiration:

“I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it—but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.”

Today offers a brand new opportunity with infinite possibilities – the perfect time to set sail.

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Comments

  1. Angela Burch says

    December 31, 2014 at 10:11 am

    This is so true and beautifully written. I love your positive outlook, Andrea. You have made a significant impact on my life, and I am a better person because of it.

    Thank you…for everything.

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      January 1, 2015 at 11:21 am

      Thank you Angela! What a great way for us to start the year together. 🙂

      Reply
  2. heather says

    January 5, 2015 at 10:19 am

    there is simply no better way of putting it than you have here! #4 is the biggest one for me, as it’s hard to know “which” dietary advice to really follow!

    Reply
  3. Kylie says

    January 5, 2015 at 11:24 am

    So appreciate your fresh perspective here!

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      January 5, 2015 at 11:36 am

      Thanks Kylie! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Mindy Benkert says

    January 5, 2015 at 2:26 pm

    I love this! Sounds like you are inside my head at times. I have made strides to change our lifestyle and eating and I have seen the benefits. My older kids haven’t been to the doctor in several years. I can’t even remember the last time I went for a sickness. We still catch colds but I think I bodies can fight them off better now. 🙂

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      January 5, 2015 at 6:10 pm

      Thanks for taking the time to comment. I know that this will encourage others to keep making strides. I’m glad you’ve seen the benefits with your kids. I agree with you that there is a healthy way to fight a cold.

      Reply
  5. Kathy says

    January 5, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    I absolutely love #7 (actually the entire article)! I think it is so true that once you eat healthier you are totally turned off by processed and fast food. It is just amazing what are bodies can do once we give it the right fuel. Thank you for such a great post!

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      January 6, 2015 at 10:56 am

      Thanks Kathy. That’s why it’s such a step of faith. You don’t really get the reward until you try. So hard to make this kind of change. Nice to connect with you!

      Reply
  6. All Natural Katie says

    January 7, 2015 at 1:28 pm

    I really like the way you presented the information. I find the “do this” “don’t do this” opposites amusing. Like juicing vs. smoothies vs. eating the whole fruits. I focus on eating whole foods and healthy dark chocolate in moderate. A little splurge once in a while is “healthy.” 🙂

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      January 7, 2015 at 3:28 pm

      I like your “healthy dark chocolate in moderation.” I’m with you. 🙂 So nice to connect, Katie.

      Reply
  7. Amy @Home & Farm Sense says

    January 10, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    Andrea – I love that you hit the issues that occur when switching to a real food diet head on. So many folks made it sound all hunky dory when it is a huge learning curve but one that is well worth it!!

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      January 11, 2015 at 1:16 pm

      Thanks Amy! I love the name of your blog. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Summer says

    January 26, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    Great article – just found your blog on Pinterest. A great book for getting your family onboard is “Dinner The Playbook”. It’s about introducing your family to new foods and the art of the family dinner. GREAT read. I think we are going to do the dinner challenge soon – 30 new recipes in 30 days. Everyone will get used to trying new foods.

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      January 27, 2015 at 9:43 am

      Thanks for this tip, Summer! I’m going to check out the book for sure.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Green Moms Network Week in Review says:
    January 9, 2015 at 4:48 am

    […] you every heard or used these reasons to not eat healthier? It Takes Time breaks down these lies we tell […]

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MEET ANDREA

I am a certified Building Biology Advocate, a former journalist, mother of nine, and avid CrossFitter who likes to think outside the box. After our family's health crisis in 2008, I learned to ask questions about what's in our food, our water, and our air. I hope to empower you as you seek to live safely in a complex world. Thankfully, small steps lead to big changes. Let's travel this road together, one step at a time.

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