Now it is not only Swedish traditional media that is jumping on the low carb train. Today Finland's main newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat takes a balanced stand on the diet as well. For those of you blessed with the knowledge of our beautiful language, here the editor's opinion: It's not worth it to put down the low carb diet.
I guess the editor is reacting on the tv debate some days ago, which I had already made some reflections about but not yet had time to publish here on my blog.
Some days ago I saw a debate on low carb diet on Finnish National Television. As usual, there were the two sides represented among the debators: pro-fat/low carb and pro-low fat/"high fiber through carbs". I was amazed to see how the low carb (high fat) society is gaining territory through simply stating the personal benefits such diet has brought on their life while it seems as if the official state position of defending low fat does just not sound so convincing anymore. Or is it just me interpreting things here? It can't be, super markets are sold out on butter and lowcarb articles are present even in all evening press editions - also here on the eastern side of the pond.
What really puzzles me in this current food debate is that there are researchers out there that are not interested in digging into some real interesting topics, which clear potentials of making remarkable contributions to science and instead they claim that there are more valuable areas to which they can dedicate their time. Somehow their argument that where they get their financing has nothing to do with what they do research about just does not sound so convincing . So once again, why don't they want to do research that can bring them fame and glory then?
To be clear on things here, I am not promoting a Low Carb High Fat diet to anyone! I am in favor of everyone figuring out what their own body needs. Even more so after having read Michael Pollan's very balanced book "In defense of food" this weekend. However, the connection between LCHF and "real food" for common people is usually that when you go on a carb-detox a la LCHF you quickly notice how much space in the grocery store is completely useless because it is occupied by products that according to Pollan's arguments "would not be recognized as food by your great grand mother". You start reading labels and you realize how much stuff is filled with substances that you do not want nowhere near your metabolic system. This is not food, says Pollan, this is food science and if you want to live a long and healthy life, you'd better stay away from those products.
There, two flies in one. You can see the Finnish telly debate here: A Talk - karppaaminen.
And if you're interested in Pollan then please check out his homepage: In Defense of Food
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