Why it may appear like the world is against you when trying to live healthily

For most of history, food was scarce. Nowadays calorie dense food that is thin on nutrition is easily available and is relatively cheap, definitely compared to food that is closer to its natural form and is nutritious.

To be successful meaning to survive when food is scarce, body develops mechanisms to store energy reserves. What does this mean when food is plenty? The body not being aware of availability of food, stores excess calories as fat.

Before electricity became widespread, most food consumption happened during waking hours and if at all stretched a few more hours, around the fire that is until the fire dies. So perhaps 8 hours or so.

Nowadays starting with breakfast, it is the norm for the food consumption to average 12 hours from breakfast to dinner and more often longer with the late night snack.

Life has become sedentary as we rely on various modes of transport and appliances that can perform chores. Compared to pre-modern farming, most office jobs or even factory jobs require significantly less physical activity.

Always on lifestyle prevents individuals from obtaining a genuine break. Continued exposure to bright light reduces sleep quality.