Honest doctors recognize the limitations of any one approach. It's my understanding that exogenous ketones work for a few hours, max. Means something to an athlete or gym rat, I suppose, but not sustainable for continuous health benefits. A bit of research indicates many believe the advertising, drink that without changing what else they eat, and give up as "diets don't work!"
One thing the explosion of "fad" diets did was create an awareness of keto, a lot faster and more thoroughly than our efforts could.
While a lot of it is not based on real science, at least the concept, and people claiming success, as I do, is out there. I am careful to add that I do it in the way science recommends. There are no shortcuts.
For some reason I find myself drawn to studying the concept of Fat Acceptance, where people claim no control over their weight for genetic, societal, and other unreachable reasons. Some even defiantly created a category called "don't want to lose weight" and these video diaries are half giant sugary drinks, and half carbs, wrapped in deep fried carbs, with sugary sauce. Desserts start at breakfast. Two snacks between meals. I find it horrifying and they find it heaven. Denial off the charts.
It's been a long time since I knew what fast food is out there, and we are remote AND without many franchises. Apparently desserts through the drive through have expanded madly. Some chains seem to be experimenting with the science fiction food, like those wildly colored concoctions at Disney World.
Perhaps it's because these folks have a horror of real food. Steak and salad is
delicious. Steak and eggs are my favorite breakfast. But I think if I kept eating fake food, that would take over. If all I ate was such food, I would counter a protein craving with chicken nuggets, not chicken. In these videos, I barely see meat, unless it's bacon. And I'm suspecting that a lot of what is sold as meat, isn't. Vegan is super popular because they say that's "healthy." A vegan behavior trait. A lack of animal involvement means a food is both moral and nourishing, they claim. Which has zero science, total belief.
Perhaps I watch videos on the subject because it could have been me. And there's a competing set of videos debunking it, and those are my favorites
A long way of saying that we need to demand actual public education about our health. We are pushing back with actual science. I find that incredibly persuasive. I was willing to try new ways of eating, but unfortunately, some people have built their daily life around the drive through. The office is full of people who bring in coffee and breakfast, eat out for lunch, and grab takeout on the way home. I've been one of them.
When life seems crammed full of constant work and errands, the investment of grocery shopping, putting it all away, taking it out and cooking it, and then cleaning up after... all of this is a chore we can wave away with some extra money, and get some time to spend. We can't afford a cook, but we can afford to buy these products.
It was one thing when we thought it was harmless. That's actually what first baffled the author of
Ultra Processed People. He and his wife cooked most nights, even with two small children. They used takeout and frozen entrees that were similar to the meals they cooked. They "ate better" than many families. While all that was true, the convenience foods like cereal were still there, and had an impact. But all of us have been marketed to -- relentlessly -- so our mind makes it easier to grab the bright colors and sweet tastes.
He started connecting toddler behavior to snacks and his own "routine" digestive issues that he could now tie to certain meals. It's so clear once we pay attention. But zillions of dollars are spent so we don't think about it.
It's getting harder to suspend our disbelief.