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We’ve just finished our first full week of a 28-day experimental diet. It started off based on “The Engine 2 Diet”: strictly vegan, no alcohol, and zero added oils.  We’ve customized it a bit to reflect our own values and research.  It has been very illuminating so far.

We were very strict the first 5-6 days, but eating fake soy stuff instead of real food was grating. It was starting to feel like the absolute avoidance of any dairy was unhealthy. The most compelling stuff we’ve ever read about food came from Michael Pollan, and it stuck with us. So really, what started off as a vegan experiment has now become more of a “real foods” experiment. We’re not going to lose sleep over fresh local pasta from our  local farmers market having some egg or milk in it.

Our biggest problem with the diet has been getting enough protein. I had some scrambled eggs for breakfast today, and that was the first non-vegetarian meal I’ve had in a week. I’m glad I finally got some protein that didn’t come from soy or nuts, but even eggs still seem a little gross to me now. I can’t imagine ever wanting a hamburger again, which kind of blows my mind. I have no desire to eat meat right now.

It feels very liberating now that we’ve agreed to be less focused on Engine 2 and more focused on real foods. What’s amazing to me is that I didn’t take the first opportunity to abuse our newly relaxed approach at breakfast at Kerby Lane. I got some normal whole wheat pancakes instead of their vegan variety, and I didn’t even want bacon or sausage. I’ve never in my entire life NOT wanted bacon. This a strange experience…

Michael Pollan sums up all of his prodigious research on food in one axiom: “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” That is the central premise we’re adopting. Eating “mostly” plants is still a far cry from where we started. But this, unlike Engine 2, feels sustainable on a long term basis for us. I think about how much of what I used to eat wasn’t really food, just overly-processed junk, and it irritates me that I put such bad fuel in my system for so long.

I hope the next few weeks continue to go well. I’m learning a lot, and I feel healthier than I’ve felt in a long time. I also realize I’m at risk of becoming an obnoxious hippie food snob. But I’m okay with that.

We had our first meal on our new diet: “french toast” with “sausage.” Actually, not bad at all. I think the key on this will be to eat lots of fruit and other fresh tasty things. It’s just hard not to miss our old stand-by’s.

Tomorrow morning, my wife and I are starting a 28 day experimental diet based on the book The Engine 2 Diet. Basically, it’s vegan. Holy cow. Er, holy soy…

I’ve been a devout meat-eater my whole life. I’ve joked that if there’s no meat, there’s no meal. But now I’m a father with a family to think about. And I have done my share of research on diet and nutrition which leads me to conclude that the western diet I’ve come to love doesn’t love me back. So for the next 4 weeks, I’m going to see what no soda, no dairy, no overly processed foods (what Michael Pollan calls “edible food-like substances”), and no meat feels like.

I’m tempted to take “before pictures,” since I would expect something like this to trigger some weight loss, though that’s not the primary goal. Right now, it’s just an experiment. Think of it as the complete opposite of Super Size Me.

I’m not sure what the long-term impact on my diet and eating habits will be, but I’m proud of us for trying something outside our comfort zone. More than anything, I’m anxious to learn what my reaction will be once we have started. I could see this going a million different ways. Should be interesting!