This may seem like a good idea in theory, but diet neurosis is a lot like other forms of neurosis, like crossfit, liberalism, recycling and Scientology: it just isn't enough for them if they do it. It has to be THE WHOLE WORLD!
But there may be a solution. If she is already prone to diet neuroses, and you're worried it might affect your marriage, you can always try to introduce her to this particular diet neurosis (for her health).
A SINGLE mum-of-two claims she beats the flu by drinking sperm smoothies
Who knows, it might work.
But then, if she ends up thinking it's great, she may want you to do it as well. |:
My mother is very worried about my Chef Rip diet. Maybe I should point out to her that 90% of her calories come from cheese and wine. At least she eats her veggies.
OP,
I was pretty strictly vegan for about 2 years, and was about 95% compliant for another 3-4 years. I was influenced to try it out after reading The China Study and articles/books by John McDougall, Dean Ornish, Rip Esselstyn, et al. (probably a lot of similar material that your wife's friends are reading). Regretfully, I was easily impressionable and fell for the "meat/dairy/oils/too-much-protein/etc will cause cancer/diabetes/Weatern Disease" argument.
I discovered Starting Strength last year, and while searching this board I saw a number of references to Gary Taubes' "Good Calories, Bad Calories". I decided to buy it out of curiosity. His book presents a side to the nutrition debate that the "plant" crowd never discusses, and it was eye-opening for me. It was a big wake-up call that I needed to learn how to analyze data for myself instead of relying on "experts".
At 6'2", I've gone from a 170 lb insect to a 220 lb human child since starting my Linear Progression, and I still have another 20 lbs to go to reach manhood. Like everyone else, I feel better, look better, got stronger, more sex drive, less aches and pains, etc.
You already know that arguing with your wife is a futile endeavor. My recommendation is point her in the direction of good material and become more educated yourself. Gary Taubes' book is a great place to start (I don't necessarily agree with his war on carbs, but his book is valuable because it presents a viewpoint that has been stifled). Someone else mentioned Denise Minger - I highly recommend reading her critique of The China Study.
The more I learn, the more humility is forced upon me because I realize just how little I understand the world. And surprise, surprise: humility is a far more powerful weapon of persuasion than is arrogance, ideological arguments, emotional appeal, etc.
Don't give up, there's still hope
I don't have a problem with the Mrs in regard to what I eat, I have a problem of getting something to eat. Well not really, however she gives me no grief about food, I in fact giver her grief with regard to getting her to do some weight training which would really improve her quality of life. Perhaps if you tried to include her in your training activities you could win her over so to speak.
Thriving on raw eggs, world's oldest person marks 117th birthday in Italy
Thriving on raw eggs, world's oldest person marks 117th birthday in Italy | Reuters
"She has never eaten much fruit or vegetables."
My grandfather is a 93 year old retired farmer.
His dietary staples for most of his life included cured meats and fresh, raw milk.
Butter in his morning and afternoon coffee, cooked the beans with the bacon fat rendered at breakfast, that sort of thing.
He kept a garden and would cook vegetables with sausage. He had an apple tree that he turned into pie and cider, and a strawberry patch for his home made ice cream.
Clearly the healthiest ways to consume all of that.
I take all modern dietary advice with a grain of salt, mostly because it doesn't taste like anything otherwise.
Humans love to simplify complex questions. Few of us are good in differentiating causes from correlations. That's a survival strategy evolution made strong in us, decisions had to be done quickly and somewhat near the correct ballpark. If our ancestors waited to long if they should flee from that scheme in the woods or go investiate, they had a good chance of becoming the meal instead of getting some. Quick beats accurate.
Tell your wife that there's not one major contributing factor to develop cancer, or two, but AT LEAST hundreds. And they can amplify each other or mitigate. I learned that a really powerful weapon against cancer is not being afraid of it. Enjoy your life, quit worrying so much and grow old. (But then again, humans LOVE to worry. :-P )