Taboo conversation topics: Politics, religion and... Diet?

[ConanTheLibrarian]

Ever feel that diet is a very bad topic to bring up with friends and coworkers, like religion and politics?

I mean even close allies of the Atkins diet, like sugar-busters and paleo, will strongly disagree about things. But bring in vegans, lacto-ovo vegetarians, South Beach, Zone, blood-type, Ornish and things can get really heated.

Anyway, after some tough spats of my own, I wonder if I should add diet to my list of taboo conversation topics and just flash my gym card (which I had before Atkins anyway) if anyone asks. Nutrition is just as much a part of who you are as religion and political views.

(Of course, some people love to argue, and the Atkins diet does tend to elicit a stronger response than other diets )

[FwL]

IMHO all three areas attract obsessive and dogmatic types of people.

[mizski]

It is hard to find a good discussion with any of these topics. I learned to stay away from politics and I witnessed three different weight loss boards go down in flames over the last election. I studied a lot of different religions at a graduate level and aside from those classes (those were some great discussions), I don't talk about religion either.

The diet thing baffles me though. Most people who are trying to lose weight have tried many many different diets. Yet, most can't talk about them objectively and that is too bad because just because a diet didn't work for you or your lifestyle does not mean it will not work for anyone else. Conversely, just because you've found the ideal diet plan that is working for you doesn't me it will work for someone else. The weight loss community could be a huge resource if they didn't have that "my way or the highway" mentality.

I belong to another dieting board that has a very large community and covers all known (and some unknown) eating and weight loss plans. And there are only a small group that can objectively cross diet plan lines and offer advice and insight without diet bias.

I just don't get it. We see newbies here all the time that are struggling with Atkins. It may not be the right plan for them. And it is a shame that more of us don't mention to them that Plan X might be right up their alley and then wish them weight loss success.

[msanjelpie]

Originally Posted by mizski

It is hard to find a good discussion with any of these topics. I learned to stay away from politics and I witnessed three different weight loss boards go down in flames over the last election. I studied a lot of different religions at a graduate level and aside from those classes (those were some great discussions), I don't talk about religion either.

The diet thing baffles me though. Most people who are trying to lose weight have tried many many different diets. Yet, most can't talk about them objectively and that is too bad because just because a diet didn't work for you or your lifestyle does not mean it will not work for anyone else. Conversely, just because you've found the ideal diet plan that is working for you doesn't me it will work for someone else. The weight loss community could be a huge resource if they didn't have that "my way or the highway" mentality.

Exchange the words 'weight loss community' for 'religion of choice' and you have the same mentality...

[liv]

Weightloss is a very personal choice and you need a bit of a leap of faith when you embrace a method maybe that only leads to some righteousness. Perhaps not the best thing to have happen but I think given that nature of things somewhat unavoidable.

I think I avoid diet talk in "good company" Too many people feel offended or embarrassed by it. Some because they are not on a diet but feel they should be.