The Hollando Diet

The Gray Lady surveys diet fads. What a shame that I was born too late to behold the spectacle of Fletcherization! Some highlights: lipophobia (1970s anti-red meat scare), carbophobia (the modern Atkins/South Beach scourge), and strategic placement of Bulgarian yogurt (Dr. Kellogg’s contribution). The article offers the standard explanations for Europe’s greater success: smaller portions, no snacking, and the emphasis on meals as a communal experience–not unlike Yale’s residential college dining halls.

What amazes me is that the article consumes four pages online in order to provide about half a page of useful data. Hence my reluctance to trade the online Times for the print version.