“Everything in Moderation” vs “Some Things in Moderation”
Before defending the phrase “everything in moderation,” pause and consider what it truly implies. Do we mean everything? Would you advocate for:
- Stealing in moderation?
- Infidelity in moderation?
- Methamphetamines in moderation?
Just because we might get away with doing or consuming something harmful occasionally doesn’t mean we should. The idea that anything can be justified “in moderation” is misleading, especially when it comes to substances proven to harm the body, degrade health, or increase disease risk.
Some Things Should Be Avoided Entirely
Below is a list of foods and substances known to be toxic, pro-inflammatory, or carcinogenic. Rather than consuming these “in moderation,” it is far more reasonable—and biologically sound—to eliminate them:
Toxic and Harmful Foods to Avoid
- Aspartame and all artificial sweeteners (e.g., pink, yellow, and blue packets)
- High-fructose corn syrup, rice syrup, soy syrup
- Trans fats (commonly found in corn oil, canola oil, and palm oil)
- Chips (potato chips, corn chips, flavored chips, etc.)
- Donuts and deep-fried pastries
- Soda, fruit juices, and energy drinks (e.g., Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Red Bull)
- Bleached flour
- Processed meats
- Microwave popcorn
These items are heavily consumed in the average diet, yet they are known contributors to chronic disease, obesity, and cancer. Eliminating them is not about deprivation—it is about liberation.
The Path to Sustainable Nutrition and Pleasure
The Course supports not just the removal of toxic foods but a full transformation of taste, habit, and identity—through emotional work and personality change. When internal alignment is restored, foods that once seemed “bland” or “restrictive” become deeply satisfying.
Anti-Inflammatory, Nourishing Foods to Embrace
- Fish: Sockeye salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, cod, halibut
- Eggs: Poached, soft- or hard-boiled
- Meats: Grass-finished beef, lamb
- Dairy: Organic butter and cream
- Grains: Sprouted whole grains (e.g., Ezekiel bread), brown rice, quinoa, millet, basmati rice
- Vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, spinach, chard, kale, green beans (always cooked); raw celery, snap peas, green peas
- Nuts & Seeds: Walnuts, pistachios, pecans, macadamia nuts
- Fruits: Blueberries, strawberries, wild berries, apples (organic), pears (organic), pineapple, papaya, kiwi, banana, grapes (organic)
- Other: Sweet potatoes, yams, small portions of yellow potatoes; avocados, onions, mushrooms, beets, olives, olive oil
- Beans: Kidney beans
- Beverages: Green tea, herbal teas, organic coffee (in moderation)
Final Thought
Moderation is only wise when applied to things that are inherently healthy, natural, or neutral. For harmful substances, moderation is not wisdom—it’s compromise.
Moderation Foods
The following foods are okay and recommended in moderation. Determining what moderation amounts are key.
- Meat (less than 4 ounces a day)
- Dairy
- Grains
- Natural Sugar
- Alcohol (1 glass or less a day)
- Caffeine (200 mg a day)
Foods and Substances Proven by Science to Cause Cancer
- Smoking (Processed)
- Excess Sugar (Processed)
- Radiation in Excess
- Toxic Chemicals, Glyphosate, Wood Dust, Coal, Asbestos, Pesticides, Formaldehyde, Implants (Breast, Hips, Mesh), Air Pollution, Some Plastic
- Heavy Metals (Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Silica)
- Charred Meats, Acrylamide
- Alcohol in Excess
- Processed Foods, Hydrogenated Oils, Salted, Cured, Pickled Foods, Processed Meats
- Birth Control Hormones, Other Pharmaceuticals
Mark Colafranceschi, D.C. • Licensed Chiropractic Physician – Arizona License #009154 • Scottsdale, Arizona