Healthy Eating: The Dogmas of Dieting
Can a trend toward healthy eating ever be a bad thing? We look at how healthy eating has become dogma for some and can leave non-believers feeling rejected
It has crept into your life undetected, slowly edging into your daily routine, gestating in your mind after being glimpsed in the corner of your eye. From the ever-expanding ‘free-from’ aisle in your local shop and the tiny ‘GF’ logos cropping up on restaurant menus like a silent pox, to being able to order a bunless burger without the waiting staff batting an eyelid, the cult of health is bigger than it has ever been. If you’re not subscribing to one of the advocated health tribes, then you’re a heathen, you have no religion, because, apparently, ‘on the seventh day, God created green juice.’
I’ve watched my Twitter and Instagram feeds steadily clog up with mason jars of chia puddings, smoothies and turmeric teas with a growing fascination. I want to be a part of this movement, I want to be an effortlessly athletic thing, smiling at the camera lens, nibbling suggestively at a bit of kale. But it is not easy. I’ve referred to this as a religious cult, because it requires a similar type of feverish faith.
There are no cheat days, there is no falling off the band-wagon; if a grain of refined sugar passes your lips (let alone a cheeky craft beer) – you fail. When you (undoubtedly) fail, this religion's god is not a happy, smiling Buddha, but the vengeful god of the Old Testament; there will be punishment, which I found out first hand.
At the start of the year, I found myself optimistically trying the Whole30 diet, a particularly exacting regime where you avoid specific ‘inflammatory’ food groups, such as sugar, grains and dairy for 30 days. According to the website, just "one bite of pizza, one splash of milk in your coffee, one lick of the spoon mixing the batter within the 30-day period and you’ve broken the 'reset' button, requiring you to start over again on day one." And I was very much one of those smug people posting pictures of their dinners and snacks with #healthyfoodporn, #clean, #fitfoodie and the collection of tags that collect you into the bosom of ‘the believers.’
It was intoxicating, the sudden community of people liking your pictures, offering you encouragement and advice, sharing your success. Until you sin. Then you are immediately cast out, a leper amongst angels. As soon as it was clear that I was subbing in the odd bag of crisps (but they were root vegetable!), the Friday night glass of fizz, and then Sunday brunch eggy bread, I was promptly unfriended, unfollowed and shown a very toned cold shoulder.
So where can I go from here? I am a dairy-loving, bread-worshipping sinner flung from the bright collective of clear-skinned, taut-bodied saints. I’m happy to report that there is a middle way, for us that prefer a more lenient god. A 5:2-type religion, if you will. No need to restrict your diet for 30 straight days, just eat healthily most of the time. And with the rise of the health cult, there has been a rise of tasty healthy food choices to answer the growing demand. So nowadays, if you need to fall off the health wagon, you don’t need to fall too far.
Here are some recommendations for tasty and healthy food products and places in the Northwest and beyond, which will keep your fit Insta-pals (and your body) happy:
THE PLACES:
A revolutionary concept: a bar that doesn’t serve alcohol. But not only that, it is a community-led social enterprise, so you can feel righteous as you sip your booze-free ‘Shampagne Cocktail.’
Wholesome & Raw, Manchester
A fresh-juice vendor in Spinningfields that offers you juices, smoothies, fruit and salad pots, as well as superfood ‘shots’ that will kickstart your immune system.
Wahu, Manchester
Wahu allows you to build your own healthy lunches and offers a huge selection of fresh and healthy lunch, breakfast and drink options.
Pho Cafe, Leeds
A family-run Vietnamese restaurant specialising in street food and pho (a healthy noodle soup with fresh vegetables and herbs; a delicious and healthy alternative to a Chinese takeaway).
THE PRODUCTS
Franks Staks, stocked in Harvey Nichols
A self-claimed ‘lifestyle’ brand, but essentially a daily pouch that has a tailored nutrient mix to suit your needs, whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle, detox or increase energy. Your pack could have meal replacements, shake mixes or capsules, so you can fit being healthy around your life.
Qnola, online at Qnola.co.uk
An easy, healthy but rather expensive breakfast solution based on protein-rich quinoa, because not everyone has time to make eggs for breakfast.
Gluten-free pasta, stocked at Holland & Barrett
A range of pasta and noodles that are vegan, organic and gluten-free, made from adzuki, black beans, mung beans or edamame. This will revolutionise your quick mid-week pasta dinners.