Do Humans Even Know What to Eat Anymore? Why Food Advice Feels So Confusing

Sometimes I wonder — do humans even know what to eat anymore?

We are supposed to be the most intelligent species on the planet. We have sent people to the moon, built machines that speak back to us, and created tiny computers that live in our pockets. And yet, when it comes to something as basic as food, we are constantly confused.

One day, carbohydrates are dangerous. The next day, they are described as essential for brain function. Coffee is unhealthy — unless it happens to be Tuesday, when it becomes a superfood. Eggs were once considered heart attacks in a shell. Now, they are praised as protein-packed miracles.

There is always a new diet trend making the rounds — keto, paleo, vegan, carnivore, Mediterranean, intermittent fasting, and one that seems to include nothing but air and regret. Cookbooks continue to fly off the shelves (see my earlier post Does Anyone Still Cook from Cookbooks — or Are They Just Christmas Gifts?), while social media feeds are filled with rainbow-colored bowls and buzzwords like “gut health.”

Despite all this advice, people are still hungry, still confused, or quietly eating chips in shame because they “broke the plan.” After thousands of years of human evolution, we are still asking the most basic question: What should I eat today?

In fact, some people may even be snacking on things they should not — which brings to mind another earlier post: Why Do We Need Labels Saying “Do Not Eat the Potting Mix?

Maybe we have overcomplicated it. Maybe food is not supposed to be this difficult. Perhaps the ancient humans who simply grilled whatever they could find had it right all along.

Of course, I am not suggesting that we return to chasing wild animals for lunch. But would it not be nice if eating did not come with a lecture, a 7-step recipe, or a sense of guilt?

At this point, I would settle for a meal that does not argue with me.

So tonight, I am having toast. Just toast. And I will not be searching the internet to check whether it is allowed.

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