Over my time here on earth (a whopping 2 weeks shy of 26 years), I have found that above everything else, everyone has one thing in common... ... ... an opinion. Every single person alive has an opinion, on something. I don't care if you admit to it or not, you view things (I didn't say everything) one way or another. This isn't to say that you may see both sides of an argument/point as possible. However, at the end of the sentence, you have an opinion on something.
In terms of opinions, I found that there are three areas of discussion where people's opinion on the matter are capable of causing a city uproar. These are the areas of Politics, Religion, and yes, Nutrition. For sake of time, and that I don't want to get into your opinion of the other two, we are going to stick with Nutrition.
There are no lack of nutritional options in today's fitness world. This diet, that plan, these meals, those foods. Anyone you talk to that promotes a certain type of nutritional plan will probably do more of bashing others than actually promoting theirs. One of the biggest problems with nutrition discussions is that you can go over the same piece of advice from about a million different views. Often it is found that nutrition professionals from different arenas are promoting the same basic concepts of healthy living, just coming at it from a different perspective (It's like driving to a destination - there is more than one way to get there). All too often, people (even professionals) speak on nutrition from the basis of emotion, rather than science and/or fact. They want a certain nutritional plan to work so they promote it wildly, without any real backing of information.
I promote the Paleo nutritional plan. I don't promote Paleo because "the cavemen did it" or because it is popular in the CrossFit community. I promote it because the idea behind nutrient-rich carbohydrates is one that I believe in, fully. The above picture I think illustrates (however comical it may be) the different views on Paleo.
Now, here is some ugly truth... ... ... I don't eat a strict Paleo diet.
Then why do I promote it?
As an athlete, I find a value in certain foods (in certain amount at certain times) that are not permitted on the Paleo Nutritional Plan. However, that doesn't mean I think it is bad (in fact, I highly recommend) that people eliminate things such as dairy, grains and sugar from their diet. Reason being, when meeting with the majority of nutritional clients, they will only do maybe about 50%-75% of what you tell them to. So, a suggestion of 100% elimination of product X may only lead to 70% reduction....I still consider that a step in the right direction. Obviously, there are those exceptions of individuals that do 100% of what you tell them to do. Oh darn, they get healthy, too. Even within the same nutritional plans (I'm going to stick to Paleo for the sake of conversation), there is disagreements as to what can or cannot be consumed. I don't think you are going to die an early death by eating a spoonful of peanut butter (or any other product that a plan doesn't permit). But if doing A, B, and C are going to get you to the destination, why take a longer route?
In the end, find what works for you. I tell all of my clients that it comes down to 3 things: How you look, feel, and perform. It is up to you as to what order you want to put them in.
Ask questions. Try, fail & adjust. And for Heaven's sake, dip your wings in full fat blue cheese.
