Paul M. Cook > wrote:
>South Beach works for a lot of people. But with all of them, you have to
>stick with it and not stray. That's the hard part.

The reason we all stray is culture. No culture eats along scientific lines;
cultures develop cuisines based on food availability, climate and aesthetic
preferences. All these diets expect people to eat in a disembodied, acultural
way that rubs up against any real culture upon intersection. That's why when
I'm on the first two phases of South Beach, I can hardly go out to eat with
anyone who eats along cultural lines because I'll feel deprived if I don't have
something like what they're having. Now, some people get on the scientific
bandwagon and stop caring about culture. They're so high on losing weight and
not feeling horrible anymore that they become zealots against supposedly toxic
foods. I'd rather lose less weight and understand that some of my most
cherished and pleasurable culinary moments are entirely cultural and not
entirely healthy for me.

Orlando