People hate diets or the idea of it. So much so, that they think there’s a culture to it. And all the science behind it is also a sham that doesn’t work. 

I didn’t enjoy going to school or college very much.  You don’t see me calling civics, moral science, history or a second language like Hindi or French a waste of time or denounce education, reading, writing, math and organised learning in institutions. 

You not being able to adhere to a rigid set of rules that underpin an effort to lose, maintain or gain weight does not make the rules wrong.

Calorie deficits, surpluses, high satiety foods, foods effective at satiation, increasing the amount of fiber you eat or picking quality sources of protein or dietary fat are effective habits rooted in science.  

A rigid set of dietary recommendations starts with a calorie intake level and individual targets for protein, fat, carbohydrate, micronutrients and water. Foods are picked to fit those targets. This approach definitely works but it can be incredibly challenging.

It might require you to make
extensive changes to how much food you are eating, what foods you are eating, when you eat and how you prep the food you are eating. This move is the hardest intervention one can pull off. Yet, this drastic intervention is what most people gravitate towards.

It takes a great deal of conviction, will-power and motivation to stick with a rigid plan. And when you stick to it, the results are predictable and self-evident. 

But it takes a lot of time and energy that most people can’t muster up. And when they fail, they blame the science, the process and label it a culture that failed them. 

In reality, they picked a game they did not have the skill or time for. But there are plenty of people playing the game and having a good time with and a lot to show for it. Hate the player, not the game.