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What's Your Edge
David Benefield : Poker Blog I find that any time at a social gathering religion, politics, or nutrition is brought up, nothing good ever comes of it. I have been in countless arguments at parties with people about religion. This is the big one. The thing is.. everyone is pretty closed minded in their views on this. Most people have it ingrained in their brains from an early age what is ‘right’ for them to believe in. It is a product of your environment kind of thing. Some people take the initiative to explore the concepts on their own, but the average person doesn’t bother, and just follows along with what their parents tell them to believe in. Trying to have a conversation with someone like this seems to be a complete waste of time.
On politics, I certainly don’t know enough to have any kind of argument with someone about public policy, economics, whatever. It just isn’t something I know enough about to feel a need to comment on. However, there are tons of other people that have a similar level of knowledge and go around spouting off about how conservative they are, or how much they love liberal policy and blah blah. If you say ANYTHING against their beliefs, they get extremely defensive and start to argue with you and the hate seems to build immediately. It is uncanny.
However, the BIGGEST one I find is nutrition. What we know about nutrition is learned from our parents, or from our educators in school. Most of this is rubbish, what we call the ‘american diet’. Now, I don’t know a ton about nutrition, but I do know that eating fried food, tons of processed shit, and a bunch of added sugar in everything doesn’t lead to longevity of life. This isn’t an issue ever really, and most people agree with this assessment. Something interesting seems to happen though when you go on a non ‘mainstream’ diet.
I am now on day 9 of eating a vegan diet, and I am enjoying it very much. Don’t get me wrong, I would really like to crush a giant steak, a crabcake soaked in buttery lobster sauce, and a giant piece of chocolate fudge cake with ice cream. I am doing this as a discipline thing to get myself back on eating healthy track before the series. Playing tournaments for 12-14 hours a day can be quite grueling, and if I am bogged down with processed junk in my diet, I tend to lose focus much easier than if I eat super clean.
However.. sometimes people seem to get offended when you say you are eating a vegan diet. It is an inexplicable experience. It is almost as if by consuming said diet, you are personally attacking someone else that consistently eats meat. You are essentially saying they are wrong without ever saying anything. Some people take offense to the mere fact that you don’t want to consume animal products, and are greatly put off by it. They even get defensive and try to tell you that it is unhealthy, and that eating animals is much more conducive to long term health.
Regardless of whether or not this is true, I find it amusing that some people can get ridiculously worked up about this. I mean really, why the fuck does it matter what I eat? I am not doing this for other people. I am doing it for my personal health and well being, and am not trying to prove something to anyone other than myself and exercise a little discipline. In the last week or so, there have been probably 10 instances where people try to tell me that I will wither away and die, I won’t get enough protein, that eating animals is way healthier than ‘sitting around eating grass’.
Well, this is debatable, but I don’t really want to get into that right now. I can see great arguments for eating a super clean diet without any processed foods, but adding in high quality fish, hormone free beef, etc. I honestly have no idea what is ‘optimal’ for long term health and fitness, but that isn’t really the point right now. The point is, why do people get super defensive and offended whenever someone disagrees with their eating habits? I try hard not to impress my nutritional views on others, but if someone asks I will gladly talk about why I am doing what I am doing. I have never at any point said ‘this is way better than what you are doing and you should do it too, this is the best diet ever you will live forever.’
It seems as though it is even more extreme than religious conversations. God forbid you go to a Christian school in the south and mention the fact that you are atheist (god forbid, get it?). You will likely get maliciously attacked, told you are wrong, stupid, going to hell, etc. Well, with nutrition, a very similar thing occurs. You won’t get enough protein, you will die of b12 deficiency, animals are HEALTHY to eat, we were MADE to be hunters, to kill and eat our food, and on and on.
The thing is.. it is all but IMPOSSIBLE to change anyone’s mind about these topics. Everyone seems VERY set in their views, and there is nothing wrong with that! I could care less what you believe in. It doesn’t affect my life in any way. It seems silly to constantly try to impress your views on others. I think it is great when people can have constructive arguments about these topics, but in my limited experiences it just isn’t possible. From now on I will try to avoid talking about politics, religion, and nutrition in any way unless the person is genuinely interested in learning or hearing a different point of view. I certainly have my ideas about what I believe in as far as these things, but I am always open to hearing other sides of the story. Many seem to not share this feeling.
Anyways, sorry for the minirant, just something I wanted to get off my chest. The 40k is in a couple days and I can’t wait. Tomorrow I am going shopping to pick up a new suit, some nice dressy clothes, etc. I like to dress up, and haven’t gone shopping for that kinda stuff in a while. I will probably stop by the Rio and try to reg during my shopping spree. I wonder how many people there will be.. I am hoping there are around 300, but that seems rather ambitious. In any case, it should be a lot of fun and a good way to start off the series.
-David
May 27, 09 03:40:17
I don't care one way or another what diet you choose to be on....it does tilt me a little bit that you now have to exclude Naked Fish from your diet :(
May 27, 09 03:41:50
No offense, but seriously Dave, it's not healthy to eat vegan food. Eating animals is MUCH better for your longterm health. If you just eat grass you will not get the protein that you need.
just to inform.
May 27, 09 04:09:59
Yep, political views and religion are a big part of peoples personality, of who they are, and if you express differing views on those matters, people get defensive. Its stupid really and I really hate it. Especially since many people talk about politics and public policy with little or no real knowledge of facts. Many people get an impression based on what have heard here or there and dont have the self criticism to realize that the matters they are expressing their opinions on may be a bit more complex than what they think. I like to discuss politics and such with people whether they share my views or not, in fact its more interesting when they are of a different opinion. And I dont really care if people have a limited knowledge of the matter being discussed as long as they realize this and are openminded. I dont know everything about everything either but I try to act accordingly when discussing various topics. What really tilts me is people who mouth off their very strong views on things based on very little knowledge and when they dont really want to have a real discussion on the matters.
To take an example, I work in public administration in Finland and much of my work has to do with the European Union. The EU is at its basis an economical union with a lot of legislation in various fields. As an international organization its kind of distant to the ordinary citizen. The effects of its action come mainly through the implementation of the legislation by member states and through the EU's weight in foreign trade negociations etc. Its wide range of activities are admittedly difficult for the ordinary citizen to fully understand. All the polls show that the common citizen in the different member states have close to zero knowledge of the funtionning and activities of the EU. This unfortunately doesnt stop people from speaking their mind about it. People are quick to blame the EU for any kind of economic problems and any piece of legislation they dont like as well as for bureaucratic inefficiency which they see in its activities but forget all the positive effects that are harder to see (increased trade within EU, inrease of EUs wieght in international trade negociations, free movement of people within the EU where you can travel without a passport and work and study in different member states, more economic stability due to a common currency, etc.). People very easily adopt a hostile attitude toward an international organization such as the EU and aggressively defend this view which is based more on a fear of loss of national independence/identity than on facts. Again, I like to talk about these topics with people and try to explain my view on them but what really tilts me is that people tend to stubbornly stick to their views even with no real knowledge of the matter. And yes, if you disagree with certain people they get very aggressive about it. The EU is often seen by some parts of the society as a bureaucrats' idea and thing and people love to hate it. Its one of those things that people in certain social groups seem to think that the only view they are supposed to have is a negative one, its almost like part of their identity, just like despising politicians and public authorities in general seems to sometimes be. I dont know if im making any sense to you...
As for debates on diets, everybody has always been ok with my mainly steak based diet so dunno, lol. Yeah, I think if you talk about vegan diet people easily think like does this guy think hes better than me, all health diet and moral values and so. Its obviously silly but I think thats what it is about, although people may not even realize it themself. <BR><BR>Im sorry about my rant too.
May 27, 09 05:27:35
I guess the moral of the story is most people are ignorant yet arrogant. That's why we make money at poker. :)
May 27, 09 09:10:38
David, I really think you'll like this clip if you've not already seen it. It is a sketch by Tim Minchin, an Aussie comic who is pretty awesome. Its about how those debates you just discussed generally develop.
Best of luck in the 40k and the rest of the Series.
Anyhow here's the link
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujUQn0HhGEk
If it doesn't work, just type in Storm by Tim Minchin into youtube, it's worth a watch.
May 27, 09 09:38:33
You speak the truth sir. Closemindedness gets you not very far and religion is a product of a persons environment near 100% of the time. As for nutrition, eat what you want, but if you give up beer and hard booze I will hunt you down and force feed!
May 27, 09 09:41:22
But you didn't answer the question - how are you gonna get enough protein? Aren't you just going to become a twig?
May 27, 09 09:51:47
The sign of true intelligence is being able to hold two opposing ideas in your mind at the same time (and not go crazy from it).
I never assume I can change people's mind about such subjects as you discuss. As you mention, it's easy to tell when someone has no interest of holding an opposing idea, even for a second. I do like to have discussions with smart, articulate people who have different views than me, but only for MY benefit...not for theirs (unless I can see they are really looking to get something out of it vs. just trying to change my mind). Only by doing so can we 1) make our own arguments stronger (by seeing and adjusting for what others see as the weaknesses in them) or 2) realize maybe the way we have been thinking isn't so optimal after all. It takes a strong person to admit they're wrong, especially about something as personal as these subjects. Really similar concept to improving at poker; you obv get that so it's hard to understand why everyone else doesn't. But it's really a hard thing to do.
End of rant.
May 27, 09 11:18:55
The best diet is to eat nothing and only drink the blood of young childern. Just look at Madonna.
May 27, 09 11:19:52
"The thing is.. it is all but IMPOSSIBLE to change anyone’s mind about these topics. Everyone seems VERY set in their views,"
Why blog about it then?
May 27, 09 12:10:47
The fact that you put nutrition in the same category as religion and politics leads me to believe that you have some serious issues, dude. Your nutrition obsession confirms that there is a fat guy dying to break out of that metrosexual shell you call a body.
I hope you can find a Johnnie who will roll with you.
Congrats on the 25K HU result.
May 27, 09 13:21:39
Not trying to tell you what to do but if you are switching diets you should make sure you're getting everything you need and if not take a supplement. When my sister first became a vegetarian she did not take the time to research what nutrients she would be missing. As a result she suffered from an iron deficiency, got very fatigued, lost concentration and just overall went through a really rough time until she figured out what was wrong.
As a guy you're not losing blood regularly so you don't have to worry as much about an iron deficiency but there are nutrients that your body normally gets from animal products that it needs to function and if you simply cut those out you are going to get into trouble. If you're switching to a Vegi or Vegan diet you should take the time to make sure you're still getting all the stuff you need.
May 27, 09 15:39:26
If someone tells you that you'll wither away, just tell them that Tony Gonzalez is vegan and that will surely shut them the hell up about that.
May 27, 09 15:52:02
As someone who is a vegan and and 5"11 165 with 5 percent bodyfat I can assure you what your doing will be benificial to you. I studied nutrition in college and though I learned a lot of stuff in the textbooks journals, etc that we had to read I learned far more on my own, researching. Some of the things people have said to you were the same they said to me, like where do you get your protein from or you are going to be deficient in so many vitamins. When my bro said that to me we went onto a nutritional tracking site and layed out our diets, I had between 150-500% daily recommendation of every single vitamin and mineral and he he had 100+ in less than half. Nuts, seeds, fruit, oats, quinoa, etc are the most nutritionally dense foods by far. And as for protein quinoa, nuts, seeds, lentils, beans or protein powders like pea protein are all "complete proteins." People only know what they hear and as someone who was once on a paleolithic diet, trust me your on the right path.
May 27, 09 15:52:53
BTW if your craving ice cream "coconut bliss" and "purely decadent" are the sh*t
May 27, 09 15:57:47
Religion is a poison and does nothing but harm. I know what you mean about people being closed minded in terms of religion. Are you an Atheist Dave?
May 27, 09 16:09:09
HI Dave,
I agree 100% with you about peoples mind on being set. It is like one cow leading the way to the field and all the other cattle follow and don't review any other maps to find their on way.
First off, there are a lot of healthy people that are vegans. I do not eat as much meat as I use too based on increasing my own frequency and awareness. I was nutritionist and trainer for over 8 years and during that time did the body for life 3 times got runner up once and transformed my life completely. I would eat protein and tons of meat and thought this was the only way to get big and strong. After about 4 years when I was 20 I could not digest meat as good. The reason was that I depleted my enzyme stores. A naturopath told me that I had to lower my protein as I was producing too much uric acid and not producing enough enzymes acid. I have put immense studies into life force and eating meat vs. Vegan diets and I think there is pros and cons for both regimens. Many groups around the world believe that you absorb the negative life force from the animals when you eat meat which can possibly lessen your awareness or from reaching higher levels of consciousness. Others say the non heme vs. heme iron bonds are stronger with eating meat which makes the the absorption or bioavailability much easier to absorb the nutrients and micro nutrients and especially the iron. Today, with the antibiotics, GMO foods, pesticides, herbicides and other things I think there is a ton of things us humans have to do to be healthy now. Considering 40% people in North America are expected to get cancer. 1/3 heart disease. The other may still get something else like diabetes or ... This limits anyone from being very healthy long term I believe and especially with all the new genetically modification techniques. Did you know there are over 250 approved pesticides just for organic foods. Or the fact that most foods are irradiated even organics before being delivered to your local grocery store. My Opinion is only the strong human genotype will come out on top in this tuff times.
I agree with most people on here Vegan diets are tuff. If you are going to attack it make sure you are getting the correct nutrients and do your research. Negreanu has been vegan for 6 years and I think he would be a good guy to talk too. Food combining maybe be huge for being successful and has been around for 1000s of years. Combining beans with rices to get the complete proteins and making sure you are balancing iron will prove to be extra important. Once you got this down you will do well, but make sure to do your research.
I would be happy to help you out if you need it. And maybe you would help me out for the wsop this year playing a couple events and the main event. I have some of the sickest work out routines ever for transforming your physique fast. I have tons of transformation pics too. Any how, I am just responding because I think you on the right track to the go in a great direction in your life.
Do what you think is right, but make sure you speaking to your doctor and getting feedback and blood work to make sure your iron, thyroid levels and other are in check.
Very best regards,
May 27, 09 19:17:50
But you didn't answer the question - how are you gonna get enough protein? Aren't you just going to become a twig?
Stinger885
Well that'll give new meaning to "you are what you eat"
May 27, 09 23:44:16
Dave Good Sources of Protein to research:
Complete Proteins;
Any Beans with Brown rice (Lundberg non gmo organic rice and Organic and beans)
Lentils with rise same as above
Barley
All these sources are low glycemic too
Tofu naturally fermented with out the estrogen forming properties of some fermented type tofus.
Soy Tempeh, but not a big fan as it builds estrogen
Others
-Spirluna
-Blue Green ALgae
-seaweed
-kelp
-Quinoa more calcium then milk
-Amaranth
-Legumes plus seeds like flax or sesame
-Legumes plus nuts etc..
-Veggie burgers not a fan
*Hemp which is complete omega 3 6 9 very good choice
Tons of choices keep is to keep the nutrients high and eat very clean
Udo' and hemp good soucrces of omega as well another good source is molecular distilled phytoplankton awesome.
Any how message me if you may need anything.
May 28, 09 00:15:10
Another thing to keep in mind on the whole topic of nutrition, is Ph balance both in the foods we eat and our bodies in general.
Obvious things like soda, many of us know are very acidic, but other things like bread, anything pickled, or most seafood, beans, are quite acidic while things like ginger, barley grass and spinach and carrots are alkaline.
We should be more conscious about this balance for many reasons, one of which is that cancer forms most often in acidic enviroments.
May 30, 09 05:18:34
In terms of nutrition it's fine to be a vegetarian, as long as you make an effort to get the protein and other nutrients that you need... but isn't the food just really unsatisfying? It's like you're eating a bunch of side dishes without ever getting to the main course.
May 31, 09 18:23:14
"Everyone seems VERY set in their views, and there is nothing wrong with that!"
There is something wrong with that as Bertrand Russell said it best, "The fundamental cause of trouble in the world today is that the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt."
Jun 1, 09 04:00:28
Mr B,
Interesting topic i enjoyed reading. I would say because we are social beings people will always try to push their beliefs and lifestyles onto others. The more you deviate from the norm the greater you will experience this. Greater education for the masses seems to be the only way to evolve in this respect.
Jun 2, 09 11:59:53
This post made me LOL, from the other side of the water America always looks like a land of extremes. Fat Fit, conservative liberal, intelligent dumb ass, etc.
But if you need diet defence, Shaolin Monks with the Kung Fu stuff are all vegetarian. They get enough protein from beans and nuts. Check this video called Shaolin Super Humans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRxhlJGYe1o
personally though nothing takes the wind out of their sails like nodding and saying 'you know what, I think your right' followed by a swift topic change to something light hearted. If they have any sense they’ll realise bitching at parties and social gathering is bad craic.
Jun 11, 09 15:57:47
I think that people know very well that they are doing wrong by eating animals. However, as long as everyone does it they do not have to care and they can go on thinking about how nice guys they are knowing deep in their hearts that they are doing a terrible thing. Now when a vegan shows up, he is a living example that no one needs meat and just by his existance he forces people to think about the injustice they keep taking part in. So no wonder people are pissed.
Jul 4, 09 14:31:54
I've actually been doing some similar searching into nutrition so that I can perform optimally at the poker table, in the gym, and on the mats (BJJ.) As funny as it sounds, one book that's a super easy read that really changed my views on food is called "Skinny Bitch." My girlfriend turned me on to it, but it's like, written under the masquerade of being a diet book for girls, but by the time you get through it, you realize they don't give as shit if you're skinny, they want you to be healthy, and it promotes a vegan life style.
I could do almond milk instead of cow's milk, but idk if I can go without sushi. I think I non-processed, no fried, no junk diet with high quality fish and meat would be close to optimal for someone like me also. Please do tell if you come up with something that seems to work for you.
Another good book that's a bit of a tougher read but certainly worthwhile is omnivore's dilemma.
Best of luck in your endeavors,
James
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