The modern American is only about 10,000 years removed from his Paleolithic ancestors, hunter-gatherers who lived on seeds, nuts, fruits, and the meat of animals hunted with primitive weapons. Needless to say, they never saw a burger bar or pizza restaurant. Because food was scarce and had to be won at great cost from the environment, early man was “programmed” to like and seek out sustaining, high-calorie nutrition over what today we would see as healthier foods. Because minerals were hard to find, early man was drawn to foods with a high salt content.
The years have passed and man’s circumstances have changed beyond anything his ancestors would have recognized. Yet, man himself keeps many of those earlier characteristics. We have the same number of teeth as our large-jawed ancient ancestors – making lucrative work for dentists – and to the undoing of many, today we have exactly the same appetites. No one, except in very hot weather, wants a salad when they can have cookies, burgers, or candy. Everyone loves fatty, salty, or sweet snacks.
With the obesity epidemic now threatening even the children of America, Nutritionist and Exercise Specialist Isobel De Los Rios has come up with a new – or perhaps a very old – solution. Her best-selling Diet Solution Program teaches that to lose weight and stay slim like our ancestors, we must re-learn their eating habits and way of life. That doesn’t mean of course that we must run around after woolly mammoths (they’re rather scarce today) with flint-tipped spears, but rather that we should turn away from modern, over-processed foods in favor of single-ingredient foods: grilled meats, fish, fruits, and vegetables.
Isobel says she has helped 30,000 individuals shed their weight problems and achieve a healthier shape and lifestyle, starting with her own mother who was overweight and diabetic. Isobel’s web site describes how she tried out her diet on this woman who shed 40lbs and as a bonus, was able to come off diabetes medication. Isobel herself also lost weight and today has a slim, youthful figure in her photos.
The diet owes its success to common sense: we know what is bad for us and it is these fatty, high-glycemic and over-processed foods that must be given up, along with a couple of surprise items such as any wheat products, even wholegrain ones. Yet a glance at the recipe section on her web site is reassuring: satisfying meals, puddings and snacks are all allowed – some are even drenched in butter, honey, or maple syrup. There are even recipe ideas to counter chocolate cravings.
One possible reason for the program’s success is its claim that other diets have it all wrong. To lose weight you must eat lots of food, not cut down. Now that’s a diet anyone would want to try!