Remember the 80’s? Back before the Internet, when people shared information, it was likely done in the form of a mimeograph or what we used to call “Xerox copies.” I remember my mother bringing home one of these mimeographs of something called The Cabbage Soup Diet that was supposedly developed by a cardiologist who swore that this soup was the cure to heart disease and obesity. The recipe was pretty simple and full of vegetables, and as soups go, pretty healthy. The mimeograph stated that one could eat as much of this soup as they wanted, but just this soup. The problem is that this is a very bland soup and after eating it for two or three meals, you get bored.

Thankfully, in the Internet age, we have access to lots of ideas, opinions, and information so that we can make our own decisions based upon all the information posted online. This also allows for discussion around what works, what doesn’t, and most importantly, why. The Cabbage Soup Diet is a deprivation diet: it cuts out a lot of food groups and restricts food groups dramatically.

I overheard two co-workers talking this morning, and one was advocating this very same soup. I know that this “Diet” is still out there, as my own mother-in-law is an adherent. When they co-workers saw me approach, one of them asked me, “What do you think about the Cabbage Soup Diet?” I told them that I personally couldn’t do it because I need variety and a more varied diet. I need to be able to have meats, vegetables, fruits, and in various forms. Its the variety that allows me to stick with eating good, whole foods and keeps me from wanting to quit the Paleo lifestyle. This is very important to Sherry and I; we have to have delicious foods.

I am not a fan of diets that are restrictive or bland. Some people may try to claim that Paleo is restrictive, but in actuality, it’s not. I eat meat, vegetables, fruit, and even some dairy from time to time. I have eggs daily. All the nutrients a human needs comes from the foods I eat. What I have cut out of my diet is high-carb foods: grains, beans, and anything with added sugar and most dairy.

Whatever you do, make sure it’s something that is healthy for you and that you can stick with. Changing your diet temporarily is never going to work for the long term. Moderation is not something people with eating issues can do successfully (ask me how I know). The only real way to make a permanent change is to make a lifestyle change. Nobody likes hearing it, but it’s the truth. The good news is that it’s not as bad as people make it out to be.