Changes Happen All the Time
Changes Happen All the Time
Change is one of the few things we can count on. It’s happening all around us, every day, in ways big and small. Yet for some reason, while we roll with most changes in our lives, there’s one area that seems to trigger pushback like no other: nutrition.
Before I get there, let’s look at a few examples of change that most of us accept without much complaint or whining.
Fashion
Fashion is always changing. Some trends stick, others fade quickly, and many leave us scratching our heads years later. Personally, I’m not sad that hoop skirts and corsets aren’t part of everyday life anymore.
The same goes for shoulder pads and disco jumpsuits. They had their time, people wore them, and eventually, people moved on. Even if someone didn’t embrace the next big thing, thankfully, they usually stopped clinging to a trend once it passed.
Change in fashion is expected. It’s part of the cycle. No one’s out here demanding a return to microminis and perms (well, most people aren’t).
Social Norms
Think about how much social norms have shifted in just a few decades.
In the 1950s, married couples on TV slept in separate beds. They couldn’t even say the word “pregnant” on screen, yet somehow Lucy and Desi had a baby. Watching old movies and shows now can feel uncomfortable, not just because of outdated language or humor, but also because our standards have changed.
In the 70s and 80s, tattoos carried heavy stereotypes. If you had one, people assumed you were a sailor, a biker, or in a gang. Now tattoos are so common that it’s rare to meet someone who doesn’t have at least one.
Social norms shift with time. What was once shocking or frowned upon eventually becomes normal.
Technology
Technology might be the most obvious example of constant change. We may not have flying cars yet, but we’re living in what would have looked like science fiction a generation ago.
We carry smartphones more powerful than the computers that once filled entire buildings. We can video chat instantly with someone on the other side of the planet. We have robot vacuums cleaning our homes.
And one of my personal favorites: we can pause, rewind, or record a TV show with a single button. That used to be unthinkable. Now, it’s just the way things are.
Medicine
Medical advancements have transformed what it means to receive a diagnosis. Not too long ago, a cancer diagnosis was considered the end of the road. Today, with modern treatments, many people live decades after being diagnosed.
Go back even further, and the lack of basic hygiene in medicine seems shocking. President Garfield was shot, but what killed him was an infection—because his doctors didn’t wash their hands. That was standard practice at the time.
Now we know how critical handwashing is to preventing infections. Medicine evolves, and we accept those changes because they save lives.
Nutrition Recommendations
And then there’s nutrition.
In the early 1900s, scientists were just beginning to identify vitamins and understand nutrients. Nutrition as a science is still relatively young compared to medicine or physics. Our knowledge continues to grow, and recommendations evolve with new evidence.
Here are a few examples:
At one time, shortening was the go-to fat. Now we know it’s not great for us.
Coffee was once viewed with suspicion. Today, research shows it can fit into a healthy lifestyle.
Eggs were demonized for cholesterol. Now we recognize they can be part of a balanced diet.
Yet when nutrition guidance shifts, people get upset. “They keep changing their minds.” “They don’t know what they’re talking about.”
But here’s the reality: change in nutrition is no different from change in fashion, medicine, or technology. As we learn more, we do better. Guidance is updated to reflect the latest science, not personal opinions.
Final Thought
Change isn’t always comfortable, but it’s always happening. We adapt to new clothes, new technology, new norms, and new medical practices. Nutrition deserves the same openness. Instead of clinging to outdated beliefs or resisting updates, we can embrace the fact that nutrition is evolving—just like everything else in life.
Real World Nutrition Refreshed: I am revitalizing and updating my blog archive and re-publishing it. Stay tuned as I review, update, refresh, and re-share these posts to provide you with even more valuable information on nutrition, health, and overall wellness—and keep things timely. A portion of this blog was initially posted on March 31, 2022, and has been updated here.
