Mufa Schmufa

Who can explain this?

Just say 'no' to Fad Diets

It is no wonder that our sense of nutrition has become convoluted. It is too much to ask, amidst the endless diets out there, to know what is best and what is bunk. It seems like we really do need experts to help us find the way back to nutritional health.

Nutrition is science, and science can be daunting unless you have studied it. Who is really motivated to read about the Krebs Cycle, anyhow? It makes sense that nutrition is somewhat mysterious, and there exists a craving for guidance.

The Mufa Diet (or “Flat Belly Diet”), which focuses primarily on monounsaturated fatty acids, is not necessarily a bad direction to be led. Foods that contain monounsaturated fatty acids are currently known to be more health beneficial than those containing saturated fat which can cause atherosclerosis (plaque build-up on artery walls).

Most plant fats such as avocado, olives and canola as suggested by the diet, are unsaturated whereas most animal fats are saturated. Consuming more plant source than animal source fat makes sense. If this diet starts a big trend of eating healthy fat, touché! But otherwise it seems to lack balance and appropriate motive.

Though fat is an essential macro-nutrient, according to the USDA, it should only occupy the lowest percentage of our daily intake of total nutrients*. Fat is calorie-dense and energy rich; a little bit goes a long way, healthy or not. The Mufa Diet does encourage small plate portions, but why focus on only one food group?

Let's not forget about our grains, protein, fruits, vegetables, all playing key roles to our health. Each of these groups have healthy or unhealthy options that deserve the same attention and consideration as monounsaturated fatty acids do. Focusing on only one food group neglects to encourage balance, variety or moderation, regardless of plate size.

It could be worse; the Mufa diet does inspire our awareness to the health benefits of monounsatuated fatty acids, however that becomes a moot point. The Mufa Diet loses validity and authority by not only negecting some of the basic fundamentals of nutritional science, but by also making nonsense claims about physical appearances. All trendy diets with miracle claims should be disregarded as rubbish regardless of content. Afterall, let's not underestimate the discipline, effort, and hours in pilates class that it takes to acheive perfect abs.

Leading a healthy lifestyle can be rewarding in many ways; body, mind and spirit. As stated by Wardlaw/Smith in Contemporary Nutrition, a basic plan for promoting health and preventing disease includes: "eating a varied diet, performing regular physical activity, not smoking, not abusing nutrient supplements (if used), consuming adequate water and other fluids, getting enough sleep, limiting alcohol intake and coping with stress".

If you are motivated to change your diet and level of fitness but don't know how, please be kind to yourself. Rather than leading yourself on a wild-goose-chase for the perfect abs, visit a nutritional professional, and go to pilates class. It takes time and patience to transition into a balanced diet and exercise routine that is right for you. The real miracle comes from doing it right!

*Reference: Wardlaw/Smith's Contemporary Nutrition, and www.mypyramid.gov