Last week, I gave a presentation at a health and wellness fair. The speaker before me was an Internist and referenced Time magazine's cover story ... The Oz Diet. So, when I was flying home, I purchased the magazine hoping that Dr. Oz would make sense of the complex world of diet, health, and lifestyle.
Oh, was I disappointed. Dr. Oz's information floated up on my B.S. chart. Rather than pick apart most of the article, I decided to write a letter to the editor of Time. Here it is.
Dear Editor,
No doubt, The Oz Diet continues the confusion and myths. Let's look at a few "facts" that Dr. Oz states:
#1 - "The era of myth and marketing is at last giving way to an era of hard fact."
The reality is: billions are being spent in advertising and marketing to hype processed and fast food. I'll pass on the "heart-healthy" Cheerios and the Rice Krispies that Helps Support My Child's Immunity!
#2 "The only fat that is universally accepted as bad is trans fat, and that's now been stripped out of most foods."
If Dr. Oz was going to state facts, he would have warned readers that many processed foods (Ritz Crackers, Nilla Wafers, Girl Scout Cookies, Snackwells, Cheetos - to name just a few) boast zero grams of trans fat, when, in fact, the product contains partially hydrogenated oils (trans fat).
#3 "... don't go crazy with the salt shaker."
He neglects to mention that upward of 80% of the salt in our food comes from restaurants and processed food.
#4 "... it's best to add this antioxidant (resveratrol) to your list of supplements."
At this point, he appears to be a salesman for the supplement industry!
#5 "Eat in moderation."
While that's a wonderful buzz-phrase, and most people state it with confidence, it comes with no definition. Thus, moderation is a pliable concept. And candidly, does not work.
Dr. Oz could have moved the ball forward by stating something as simple as this: To stay out of the Circle of Disease, eliminate this: fast food, processed food, soda, junk food, minimize sugar and salt, and up the exercise.
Unfortunately, the marketing and advertising people would have pounced all over Dr. Oz for making such a "radical" proclamation.
Oh, was I disappointed. Dr. Oz's information floated up on my B.S. chart. Rather than pick apart most of the article, I decided to write a letter to the editor of Time. Here it is.
Dear Editor,
No doubt, The Oz Diet continues the confusion and myths. Let's look at a few "facts" that Dr. Oz states:
#1 - "The era of myth and marketing is at last giving way to an era of hard fact."
The reality is: billions are being spent in advertising and marketing to hype processed and fast food. I'll pass on the "heart-healthy" Cheerios and the Rice Krispies that Helps Support My Child's Immunity!
#2 "The only fat that is universally accepted as bad is trans fat, and that's now been stripped out of most foods."
If Dr. Oz was going to state facts, he would have warned readers that many processed foods (Ritz Crackers, Nilla Wafers, Girl Scout Cookies, Snackwells, Cheetos - to name just a few) boast zero grams of trans fat, when, in fact, the product contains partially hydrogenated oils (trans fat).
#3 "... don't go crazy with the salt shaker."
He neglects to mention that upward of 80% of the salt in our food comes from restaurants and processed food.
#4 "... it's best to add this antioxidant (resveratrol) to your list of supplements."
At this point, he appears to be a salesman for the supplement industry!
#5 "Eat in moderation."
While that's a wonderful buzz-phrase, and most people state it with confidence, it comes with no definition. Thus, moderation is a pliable concept. And candidly, does not work.
Dr. Oz could have moved the ball forward by stating something as simple as this: To stay out of the Circle of Disease, eliminate this: fast food, processed food, soda, junk food, minimize sugar and salt, and up the exercise.
Unfortunately, the marketing and advertising people would have pounced all over Dr. Oz for making such a "radical" proclamation.
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