The Overton Window of Food

Eating healthy is not the same as eating "clean". Avoiding processed foods is stupid. All you really need to look at is the calories, protein and fiber, then make sure you get enough vitamins and minerals and your sodium is balanced with potassium. I would eat something made from plastic bottles and forever chemicals if it had the right macros (and they removed the toxic parts).

Full sugar soda might be bad for you but diet versions are basically free, the only issue is the salt content but you would need to drink insane amounts or have a heart condition for that to be a problem. MSG lets you use less salt and makes naturally bland food taste way better. Aspartame is harmless, and so is caffeine if you drink enough water to avoid dehydration. White monster is basically a health food.

Natural doesn't mean good. Natural is boring. The only way to replace unhealthy processed food is with healthy processed food that's just as addictive. Don't torture yourself with things that don't taste good.

The article is spoken from the persective of someone, unfortunatly representitive, who does not depend on there body to perform at it's limits, which when done consistantly and is continiously optimised and maximised, will leave absoulutly no doubt about what constitutes "good food". There is zero lag between energy and endurance when at your limits,and with no time for sub optimum food, no time for anything but , work, eat, sleep. Analysis becomes a luxury, and honest pragmatism in the face of failure forces descisions. And sure, if it's hot, doing hot work that requires full PPE in the sun, the ya a sugary drink, but it's water, sugar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt, and if there is time grated ginger, ZAM baby!, still costs a buck a glass plus the time, but nothing you can buy pre made will touch it, snap off a chunk of some serious chocolate and go baby go. What everybody is missing, is satiation, and it must be earned.

Good article. I'm a fitness enthusiast, a martial artist, and a now and then personal trainer.

I've had similar talks with my wife and children. My six year old is always reading labels and watching for added sugar and protein when we're shopping.

"This one is new, it only has 9 grams added sugar can we try it?"

"This looks yummy but it has 40 grams of added sugar!"

"Ooh daddy this one has 15 grams of protein from peas and whey." (We've also talked about how too much soy protein is not great for men's health)

Ice cream is our main indulgence, which we sometimes make ourselves.

Remember, there is a well paid army of food scientists and psychologists working against you. That incredibly satisfying crunch in the new snack you found is not an accident. It makes it satisfying to eat, which makes you buy more.

You get what you measure, you measure what you get. The only thing corporations care about is money. Number go up, good.

In general the closer you can get to simple unprocessed ingredients, the better your health will be.