Breaking Down the Cognitive Dissonance Around “Eating Your Vegetables”

Breaking Down the Cognitive Dissonance Around “Eating Your Vegetables”

Believe it or not, I used to be that coach—the one preaching the power of greens like they were some magical elixir. From raw vegan to vegan to vegetarian, I told everyone (as a coach, no less!) to pile on the veggies for fiber, vitamins, and mineral benefits. I was convinced they were essential to health and healing. My motto? The greener, the better. It was more than a personal preference; it became my mantra and livelihood. I even owned a health food café where I offered green juice detoxes to help people “cleanse” and get healthy. My slow juicer, a faithful companion I used at least four times a week for over a decade, is now collecting dust in a cupboard—a relic of a mindset I no longer follow.

After sharing my post in April 2024, The Vegan Showdown: Why Plants Hate Us (and Other Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Your Food), I received some backlash. That post struck a nerve with many of you as was to be expected, so I wanted to dive deeper into this journey of unlearning the veggie gospel—a journey that’s been far from simple.

A Radical Shift: Questioning the Green Gospel

Two years ago, I stumbled upon a radical idea: what if vegetables aren’t essential—and maybe even harmful? This wasn’t just a simple dietary shift; it felt like the ground was vanishing beneath me. I spent nine months in a complete mental tug-of-war, questioning everything I’d ever believed (and taught!) about greens. There were so many days I’d sit down to eat, look at my plate, and think, Is this okay? Could it actually be better than the piles of greens I used to swear by?

Two years ago, I stumbled upon a radical idea: what if vegetables aren’t essential—and maybe even harmful? This wasn’t just a simple dietary shift; it felt like the ground was vanishing beneath me. I spent nine months in a complete mental tug-of-war, questioning everything I’d ever believed (and taught!) about greens. There were so many days I’d sit down to eat, look at my plate, and think, Is this okay? Could it actually be better than the piles of greens I used to swear by?

The Mental Tug-of-War

Unlearning the veggie gospel isn’t a switch you can just flip. It’s more like peeling away layers that took years to build up. Leaving vegetables behind didn’t just mean changing my diet; it meant unlearning years of beliefs, training, and programming. I’d built an entire philosophy around greens. I even sold green juice detoxes as the ultimate “health food.” But as I dug deeper into human dietary history, I realised that we evolved on a diet dominated by animal foods—not veggies. This isn’t a new diet; it’s actually a return to our roots, as I discuss in my blog post Dietary Whiplash: A Return to Our Species Appropriate Diet.

Letting the Benefits Speak for Themselves

Once I moved past the mental battle, the real-world results started pouring in. Steady energy, fewer aches, clearer focus—all things I hadn’t felt so consistently before. Each improvement helped loosen that tight grip of my old veggie-based beliefs. Leaving the greens wasn’t just a choice; it was a release from myths we’ve been spoon-fed for generations. Every ribeye I ate without a side of something green felt like a small rebellion, a reminder that health doesn’t have to come from a plate of steamed veggies.

Ditching the Green Gospel: Embrace the Freedom to Question

So, if you’re feeling the inner tug-of-war, wondering if everything you’ve been told about “eating your greens” is true, just know it’s okay to question it. Take it from someone who once lived and breathed the green gospel: there’s a whole world of health beyond the salad bar. It’s okay to explore it and, most importantly, to let your body speak for itself.

Patrick
Your Greens-Free Rib Eye Devourer 🥩🦁

Related Carnivore Chronicles

You’ve made it this far—why stop now? Dive into these juicy Caveman Diaries that’ll keep your carnivore game strong. Whether you’re here for tips, tricks, or a good laugh at those “plant-based” myths, we’ve got you covered. Grab your steak, sit back, and enjoy the ride!

Oh, and while you’re at it, why not share this chronicle with your mates?

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