Cryptic Message on Yogurt Container: "Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads"

As I was just about to pry the foil top off of my cup of Voskos Greek yogurt this morning, I happened to notice a thumb-sized message on there. "Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads." My interest was sparked; was this an observation or a request? Was this just some witty little piece of empowerment for any woman who decides she's going to enjoy a cup of Greek yogurt? Well, if that's the case then thank you, Voskos, for that inspiring message.

But...on second glance, I noticed one more word, "Approved." Ohhhhh, so my yogurt did have an agenda. So much for a simple shout out from blueberry live cultures to me. Being my curious, ever-Googling self, ("What's that, you say? Who was King Henry VIII's third wife's name? Give me just one second.....oh! Jane Seymour! Huh?") I embarked on a trek down the informational highway. Really, it took like, a quarter of a minute to find out what "Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads Approved" meant.

I have the feeling that I'm a little behind on the times, but maybe some (one, two?) of you are as well. "Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads" is a book, ya'll! Written by Christine Avanti, this book is a guide to going against the fad diet grain. I mentally applauded this woman, yet I still couldn't help but feel like smacking my forehead in a classic "Doh!" for humanity.

Avanti preaches:

"...This time I'm REALLY sticking to my diet. I'm going to STARVE myself and eat NOTHING besides a salad. A big salad piled high with everything. Breaded chicken, candied nuts, bacon, cheese, plenty of protein and fats but missing the one thing you'll be rooting around for tonight in your kitchen and the ONE DIRTIEST, FILTHIEST, WORD IN THE DIET WORLD - THE "C" WORD:

CARBS!!!

YES you are caught! You're stuffing yourself with CARBS at night aren't you - you sneaky snacker?EVERYBODY KNOWS that CARBS ARE BAD!

Um, no. Actually your body needs carbs - especially your brain - in order to continue living...

...Shocking yet entirely true.

And the reason why is that yourbrain functions on ONE FUEL ONLY. And that fuel is...

Glucose. Blood sugar. From the carbs we eat.

Okay, now you know you need carbs and that is GREAT...Please don't run out and eat a bunch of ice cream and cheesecakes, gain 30 pounds and then call me and say, "you said to eat carbs, so I did and look at me!"

There are a few more important details to know.

Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads explains it all in a way that is very simple and clear. " 

As I was reading this, I realized just how clueless the public really is concerning proper diet. We are all aware that many thousands of people fall into the fad diet rut each year, but I guess I always assumed it was just out of impatience. "They know better, but they just don't care," I reasoned. The truth just might be that no, they don't know better.

I suppose that I shouldn't be too hard on everyone since I have to admit I've taken a few college nutrition courses...very, very basic nutrition courses, mind you. And with the staggering amount of false information out there, I can see how so many people could be mislead.

The facts are this. You can't cut out carbs and expect to have any energy. You can't cut out protein and expect to have healthy muscle mass (and no, I'm not talking about body-builder lumps). You cannot excommunicate all fat from your diet and expect to stay alive. You need what are referred to as "essential nutrients." Keyword here: essential. Carbs, protein, and fat are all essential nutrients, as well as water, vitamins, and minerals. These are all essential because your body cannot make them; you have to consume them.

Of course, all in moderation, and remember that some fats are better than others. Saturated and trans fats are yucky; monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are wonderful!

Annnnnd breathe.

One more thing I'd like to add from Avanti's page...she mentions searching high and low for her nutritionist's mentor, this wise "guru" who held the key to smart nutrition. It sounds like she's about to hike Mt. Everest in search of an enlightened Sherpa or something.  

"It turns out his ideas came primarily from a handful of textbooks about Human Nutrition and Endocrinology. "

Hmmm. Okay, well...that makes sense. Avanti is making wheelbarrows full of cash when all anyone would really need to do to find out about proper nutrition is pick up a used nutrition textbook from the local community college bookstore.

I really can't blame her, but I can sit here and slowly sip my hateraide for as long as I wish. It's really good with a nice warm chocolate chip cookie. Just one. Or two.

For more information visit: http://www.christineavanti.com/SkinnyChicks.php