Moderation is a popular concept that has been promoted by the food industry. They had a slogan that went like this:
“There’s room for all kinds of food in a healthy diet.”
The promoted idea is that people can eat anything they want, as long as the foundation of the diet is healthy. Unfortunately, what we’ve seen play out as a result is a cultural diet based in processed and refined faux foods, with the true moderation applying to anything resembling actual food; to the extent one eats processed foods, one displaces healthy whole foods. Actual nutrition is drastically compromised.
This has led to fantastic damage to our collective health.
According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, one in three American adults are affected by obesity. Every 2 minutes a person dies of weight-related causes. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the US, second only to smoking. Aside from obesity, many of our most prevalent diseases are caused by inflammation from the foods we eat. Cancer rates, for instance, are now 1 in 4. For the first time in the history of the planet, we have childhood inflammatory disease like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Moderation is clearly not working.
One issue may be that people have many different definitions of what moderation means. For many, moderation is a rationalization for what they want to eat NOW. The use of the word ‘moderation’ just means the intent to use restraint.
Another potential issue is the fact that sugar/sodium/processed corn/refined wheat laden food products are highly addictive. As the Lay’s potato chip commercial used to say, “Nobody can eat just one!” Moderation is almost physically impossible when addictive substances are at play.
Finally, when what we are moderating is toxic to the human body, is there really any safe level? The FDA clearly states that there is no safe level of consumption of trans-fats (present in any fried product and many commercial baked goods). Is it sane to moderate chemicals with no safe level of consumption?
For those who are seeking to drop fat, it’s important to understand that moderation will not lead to positive physical change when what you’re moderating is toxic!
Think: our bodies are complex biological mechanisms, and no matter what we are thinking, feeling, or excusing the bottom line is still that poo is poo and toxicity is toxicity no matter what your rationalization for putting the substance into your pie-hole.
Moderation can work if you already eat well and you’re already healthy. But moderation isn’t what people need when you’re trying to promote massive change on a cultural level. Moderation doesn’t inspire, and it doesn’t last when you try to institute it. To change a human body requires tight attention, accountability, and consistently clean, whole food.
When it comes to Transformation apply this simple equation: Moderation = Mediocrity.
Genesis Transformation's Blog 
Samantha Ray
July 5, 2011
Well said Sheri!!! It is amazing the things people tell themselves to rationalize eating poo!!! And all of our perspectives of what ‘moderation’ can mean are different too.
nathana
July 7, 2011
I totally agree. I was in my friend’s house and saw some “Silk soy chocolate milk” with 14 grams of sugar – touting low fat. His daughter is supposedly dieting. Sugar is addictive, and the processed food is not helping her lose weight. If she was drinking water, she would feel better and be able to maintain a healthy balance instead of the sugar highs and lows. I have been telling them both to drink water only.
The sad part is she is 24 years old, these habits are developed early and with 50 extra pounds now, I can’t imagine what her struggles and health issues will be in 20 years. He also has diabetes, high blood pressure and needs to lose 70 pounds. I am so sad. I love them both. And have been trying to educate them about food for years. Do you have any suggestions?
Sheri Lynn
July 8, 2011
We’ve found that the singular most powerful way to help other humans change is by example. It’s like ‘trying’ to talk someone into not smoking, with a cigarette hanging out of your mouth!
Another route is to gently and non-judgementally bring up the subject, and determine interest. We find our friends that are ready for change ASK questions, knowing we pay attention to our eating. When someone is asking a question, they are ready to listen. At that point, you can share your ‘experience, strength, and hope’ as the 12 step groups say.
Other people learn from us by what we DO – not what we say. As the old saying goes, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” We really cannot change other people. We can only be a good example (or a terrible warning!).