I'd like to argue in favor of fueling ourselves via *Intuitive Eating. I've put the asterisk there on purpose, as I'll explain throughout this piece.
The field of nutrition contains some of the most convoluted science there is. Individuals vary greatly in terms of how they respond to different diets. This means that the results of research trials- well conducted though they may be- differ. Additionally, the fitness industry and tabloid journalists like to latch on to these studies' conclusions. They do so before repeat studies are conducted, and they extrapolate. Scientists are meticulous about stating exactly what the research showed them. They specify correlation vs. causation. The media does NOT. They promote dietary practices with bold and unfounded claims. They'll cite the studies, sure. But it is up to a critical consumer to read them and exercise caution in generalizing results. Side note, Sigma Nutrition Radio is a GREAT podcast. There is a fascinating episode about Nutrigenomics (the influence of genetic makeup on how individuals respond to nutrients) The link is here: https://sigmanutrition.com/episode110/
My point is this- with a bevy of contradictory results and inflammatory media, how DO we fuel ourselves? What is considered healthy eating? I stand in passionate support of crafting an educated intuition about our individual bodies. Before we can intuit what our bodies need, we need to become fluent in their language. This means gaining a basic understanding of physiology. It means learning how different nutrients and activities affect body systems. Once this becomes part of our knowledge network, we are far better equipped to interpret body signals. We are also vastly more likely to respond to them in beneficial ways.
For example, all we know after a bout of intense exertion is that we are HUNGRY. We feel acute glycogen deprivation, and are driven to seek lots of calories quickly. This craving could lead us to eat whatever is closest by, in large quantities. However, our knowledge base tells us that we need carbohydrates and protein (ideally in a 3:1 ratio). It also informs us that micronutrients are most easily digested from whole food sources (unprocessed food, rather than supplements). We can use this information to craft a post- workout meal that satisfies both our raw hunger and underlying needs.
Regardless of bullshit running rampant, there are nutrition principles that have held up over time and trial.
I recommend using a method called n=1 to determine what sort of eating best suits your body. I learned about this method in another Sigma Nutrition podcast: https://sigmanutrition.com/episode94/. Science has yet to discover an ideal diet, even after dedicating brilliant minds and many years to the cause. This is partially because we all respond differently to food. Regardless of how large a study's sample size was, it did not include you. This means that the data might apply to you, and it might not. So try it out, if it appeals to you. Find out if you do better eating a high fat diet, or if taking B12 supplements feels beneficial. Conduct studies in which n=1, where YOU are the only subject.
The results will be individual and personal, relevant only to you. It is through experimentation that we discover how to best take care of ourselves. I so recommend trying this if you experience any health trouble. Sleep, digestion, skin clarity, energy... Nutrition can impact all of these and more. So, do some research. Find out what the empirical data is, and see if it applies to you. It is an investment of time, but oh is it worth it.
