This is what is puzzling: more times than I can count, I hear, "my neighbor/co-worker/sister did x and it worked for her; I think I will try that." People are constantly grasping at straws to lose weight, improve vitality, sleep better, or reduce other unwanted symptoms. Yet, the Bradys appear to be healthy, beautiful people. (Granted, I actually know nothing about their health status.) It would not be unexpected to infer what they are doing IS working for them. So why isn't anyone saying, "if it worked for them, I think I will try it." Why is that?
As Americans we tend to get our health information from people and organizations who profit from our mis-health. Think about the "food" that we purchase and consume. We believe we've found the best new breakfast or the hottest new superfood. But much of what we buy has a glossy label and an ad agency behind it. Notice how the food outlined by Brady's chef is simply food? It's real food. There are no name brands. Yet, the simplicity of it all seems ludicrous, undelicious, unsatisfying, unreasonable or something else. (I would love for you to write in the comment section any words you think describe the diet.)
The Brady household chooses to eliminate some foods. And the rationale for these choices can be scientifically backed. But forget scientific evidence. No one really cares about that anyway. (If we all did we wouldn't be mocking Tom Brady's diet). Instead, let me tell you about what happened to your officemate/brother/friend. Let's call him Joe. Joe was a Crossfit athlete with whom I worked. After working together for a month, he had a nearly perfect home-cooked diet but still complained of joint pain (though all of his other complaints were gone!). He painstakingly took me through his diet, every spice, every ingredient, every supplement. And ding-ding-ding: he was putting hot peppers on his side salad every day at lunch. We took those out of his diet and within 4 days the pain was gone.Yep, that's right. Did you know hot peppers are nightshades, just like tomatoes? And so is the "superfood" goji berries? As well as potatoes, bell peppers and eggplant?
Now, I'm not suggesting that all Italians and tomato lovers everywhere stop eating tomatoes. Tomatoes have a lot of really wonderful properties. But I am suggesting that when something works for you, it works for YOU. Learn to treat your body as a human experiment. How do you feel when you eat cooked tomatoes? Or raw tomatoes? You can test this with any food. You might need to consume a double serving of tomatoes for a few days in row to see if they affect you.
Be aware of when you dismiss "crazy" diets like this one. I will tell you that the Brady's diet is way more sane than a lot of the diets currently on the market. I will refrain from listing them here. But, if you'd like my two cents on a diet, just call it out in the comments. Be sure to include what you think about it, or what your experience has been with it.
Good luck and have fun!
