So I helped Dr Garth Davis write Proteinaholic, which came out this month (and is getting lots of love at the bookstores and in amazon reviews, so thank you very much).
(Note to reader: for maximum effect, this next paragraph should be read in one long breath.)
And the book basically says (spoiler alert) that we're obsessed with protein, and we're eating way too much of it, and excluding many other important nutrients because we're so obsessed with protein (I'm looking at you, fiber), and we would be healthier and slimmer if we just calmed down a bit and ate a plant-based diet that limited our protein intake to levels appropriate for humans.
And inhale…
But… but… but… you may splutter. What about all the studies that show we need more protein than we're getting now?
What about the evidence that saturated fat (animal protein's best friend) is good for us, and we should be eating bacon and eggs for breakfast every morning?
How do we make sense of all the conflicting scientific information out there?
The answer, my friends, can be summed up in one word.
Plastics.
Oops, wrong movie.
I meant, Statistics.
When you rely on your Facebook feed or the evening news, or sadly, even the New York Times (check out this particularly SMH column from earlier this week), for nutritional guidance, you're missing a crucial filter: validity.
As Harvard researcher John Bohannon revealed recently, it's scandalously easy to run a terrible study that's practically guaranteed in advance to return any result you want and get it published in an online journal and get an ignorant media to blurt your false conclusions to the world.
It cost him 600 Euros to get published. Imagine what an entire industry willing to subvert science in deference to profiteering (dairy, meat, egg, sugar, and soda industries, I'm looking at you) can do with their virtually unlimited “R & D” budget.
Unless you look behind the curtain at the quality of the study, every nutritional debate simply devolves into a “he said she said” shouting match in which the merchants of disease wield by far the biggest megaphone.
And central to quality and validity is statistical analysis.
My long-time friend Dr Glenn Livingston is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and data-driven marketer. He uses statistics intensively in all three capacities, and his track record of profitable ventures testifies to his ability to use statistics accurately.
Glenn read Proteinaholic, liked it a lot, and wanted to ask me about the statistical underbelly of the nutritional world.
We got on the phone and recorded a rollicking conversation in which I explain why there's so much misinformation masquerading as real science.
We start with an overview of Proteinaholic, and then turn to the statistics.
Enjoy, add your voice to the conversation via the comment box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots!
Looking for Transformational Change?
You know how when you discovered plant-based eating, you basically went, “Holy shit, how come the entire healthcare system isn't totally embracing this as one of the most powerful keys to disease prevention and reversal!”?
That's how I feel now about a psychological approach to transformational change called “Memory Reconsolidation.” Few psychologists have heard about it, and when they do hear the radical transformations it can bring about in a very short time, they're often skeptical to the point of disbelief.
But I've added Memory Reconsolidation work to my own coaching, and can attest to its amazing efficacy. So much so, that I'm devoting the next year to mastering it, studying with the best clinicians and teachers in the world, and then introducing it into health coaching through my trainings.
Right now, I want to triple my coaching practice to get more and more opportunities to do this work. And I'm lowering my fees – a lot – to make it easier for people to work with me.
If you're interested in working with me (and willing to commit to a minimum of 2 months), click the link below to open the form in a new browser tab and I'll get back to you within 3 business days.
Yes, I'm interested in Memory Reconsolidation Coaching.
You CAN Change Other People!
Well, that's what Peter Bregman and I claim in our provocative book of that title.
What we really mean is, you can help the people around you make behavioral changes in their own best interests. If you think you're powerless to help people change, it's because you've been going about it the wrong way.
Discover our straightforward, replicable process here: You Can Change Other People.
Audiobook: Use the Weight to Lose the Weight
Listen to Josh LaJaunie and me narrate our latest audiobook, about how to start moving when you're obese.
It's $10, and Josh and I split it evenly 🙂
Tip Jar
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Music
The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.
It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.
You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.
Gratitudes
Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons – Kim Harrison – Lynn McLellan – Brittany Porter – Dominic Marro – Barbara Whitney – Tammy Black – Amy Good – Amanda Hatherly – Mary Jane Wheeler – Ellen Kennelly – Melissa Cobb – Rachel Behrens – Tina Scharf – Tina Ahern – Jen Vilkinofsky – David Byczek – Michele X – Elspeth Feldman – Leah Stolar – Allan Kristensen – Colleen Peck – Michele Landry – Jozina – Sara Durkacs – Kelly Cameron – Janet Selby – Claire Adams – Tom Fronczak – Jeannette Benham – Gila Lacerte – David Donohue – Blair Seibert – Doron Avizov – Gio and Carolyn Argentati – Jodi Friesner – Mischa Rosen – Michael Worobiec – AvIvA Lael – Alicia Lemus – Val Linnemann – Nick Harper – Bandana Chawla – Molly Levine – The Inscrutable Harry R – Susan Laverty the Panda Vegan – Craig Covic – Adam Scharf – Karen Bury – Heather Morgan – Nigel Davies – Marian Blum – Teresa Kopel – Julian Watkins – Brid O'Connell – Shannon Herschman – Linda Ayotte – Holm Hedegaard – Isa Tousignant – Connie Haneline – Erin Greer – Alicia Davis – Heather O'Connor – Carollynne Jensen – Sheri Orlekoski of Plant Powered for Health – Karen Smith – Scott Mirani – Karen and Joe Crabtree – Kirby Burton – Theresa Carrell – Kevin Macaulay – Elizabeth Rothschild – Ann Jesse – Sheryl Dwyer – Jenny Hazelton – Peter W Evans – Dennis Bird – Darby Kelly – Lori Fanney – Linnea Lundquist – Emily Iaconelli – Levi Wallach – Rosamonde McAtee – Dan Pokorney – Stephen Leinin – Patty DeMartino – Mike and Donna Kartz – Deanne Bishop – Bilberry Elf – Marjorie Lewis – Tricia Adams – Nancy Sheldon – Lindsey Bashore – Gunn Marit Hagen – Tracey Gulledge – Lara Hedin – Meg from Mamasezz – Stacey Stokes – Ben Savage – Michael K – David Hughes -Coni Rodgers – Claire England – Sally Robertson – Parham Ganchi – Amy Dailey – Brian Tourville – Mark Jeffrey Johnson – Josie Dempsey – Caryn Schmitt – Pamela Hayden – Emily Perryman – Allison Corbett – Richard Stone – Lauren Vaught of Edible Musings – Erin Hastey – Sean Owens – Sagar Naik – Erika Piedra – Danielle Roberts – Michael Leuchten – Sarah Johnson – Katharine Floyd – Meryl Fury – for your generous support of the podcast.
Disclosure
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This was an intellectual tour de force for the McDougall version of WFPB, exactly what I follow with passion. Reading and loving Proteinaholic at the moment.. it’s a lot of fun to be part of an intellectually superior but politically weak minority. What really matters over the long haul is that reality always imposes its authority on situations like this, albeit in a painfully slow time frame. We are not going to reach the carnist majority anytime soon, and nor should we try, which is what I in the early months of this journey focus on leading by example in the form of long-distance running. First marathon three months away.
Thanks, Ralph. I appreciate your kind words.
And I agree with you about reality and time frame. I’ve often felt that we need the truth much more than the truth needs us.
Best of luck on your marathon – which one is it?
The book is on the way. Perhaps this book or similar should be required reading for all. At the very least for health professionals.
Thank You, for another wonderful episode.