Ockham's Razor

Ockham's Razor is the principle proposed by William Ockham in the fourteenth century: ``Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate'', which translates as ``entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily''. This is often simplified to "the simplest solution is usually the correct one" - I like to think of dieting in the same way. A more straightforward application of Ockham's razor in relation to dieting is when we compare the simple act of watching portion sizes, exercising daily, and focusing on health to any if not all the other diet options out there, Ockham's razor can be applied. If we are confronted with two dietary theories which have the same predictions of weight loss and the available data cannot distinguish between them, Ockham's razor directs us to study in depth the simplest of the theories. It does not guarantee that the simplest theory will be correct, it merely establishes priorities. I believe that watching portion sizes, exercising daily and focusing on health should be the first priority in anyone's health obtainment/fat loss library as its simplicity backed by science is obvious. Nothing works for everyone, but some general concepts can be applied to everyone with some positive results. That is the true simplicity of eating correctly - a path to health with simple application to everyday situations. Once the road has been viewed it is easier to travel down it. Watch your portion sizes, exercise daily, and focus on health. The simplest solution is usually the correct one.