The subtle classism of dietary tribalism

I’ve oft spoke of the inherent dangers of tribalism when it comes to food and exercise, even when weighed against the advantages of belonging. We desperately seek to be a part of something greater and as religion wanes societally we gravitate towards other social forms of tribalism. In many people today it seems to revolve around diet.

There may be some merit to diet tribalism. Identity will drive values and values will help drive grit or determination or perseverance when things are difficult. It is much easier to value process over outcome when it is part of your identity (see my Motivation Monday series). But with this identifying what is the cost?

For one, dogmatic engagement with anything is anathema to my values so let’s just start there. My biases are pretty heavily anti-dogma so whether it’s religion or food I see blind faith as a huge negative. Putting that aside, my biggest issue with the food tribes today is that they are utterly devoid of empathy towards those who are suffering worst in the obesity epidemic.

In recent years it started with Paleo. Simply shop the outside of the grocery store. Only the freshest ingredients. Oh and if you’re gonna eat fruits and vegetables they’ve gotta be organic. That steak? Make sure it’s grass fed. Probably ought to just buy a dairy farm for your milk.

Now we see the propagation of carnivore and keto trust fund IG influencers selling $30/lb beef for all your dietary needs. Wake up with some $10/dozen eggs to start. And guess what? You don’t even need to monitor your intake! Just eat and eat! All the meat! All for less than $50 per day.

There are a litany of reasons to dislike fad dietary trends. But aside from the unnecessary nature of them, it’s this tone deafness on the subject of class that I find most disturbing. To attempt to fight the battle against obesity only in those who can afford it is morally and ethically reprehensible. As an industry we can and should do better. We owe it not just to ourselves but to greater society as a whole.