Dietitian Confession #4:
Reflections of "Cringe-Worthy" Nutrition Advice
Just about every Dietitian and RD-to-be has seen and shared this "Dietitian humor" meme - because it is totally relatable to our profession. Even though I no longer work in retail, I continue to receive NUMEROUS questions on supplements (see previous Confessions #3 blog post) as well as a vast array of concerns around diet messaging in our society. It's not a surprise a majority of the diet culture my clients share comes from celebrities, self-proclaimed "nutritionists," MD's, other health professionals, or their families....but unfortunately there are even some Registered Dietitians out there who are very diet focused, which I feel can negatively affect client outcomes.
So why and how do professionals (including Dietitians, who have similar education and meet the same credentialing standards) sometimes have conflicting advice? Well in short, it's because:
1) We're human like everyone else, with different opinions, &
2) We have different nutrition philosophies based on our own experiences and beliefs.
Plain and simple.
**Now before you go and point fingers at ALL Dietitians for being misleading or not credible, think for a moment: Imagine EVERY medical professional you've EVER come in contact with...Do they or do they not have different approaches or prescriptions for the same diagnosis? Have you ever gone into the doctor and knew for sure they'd give you a certain treatment plan, only to leave the clinic surprised by the outcome?
Dietitians are no different. Our ultimate goal is to promote the health & wellness of our clients, and we are the trusted facilitators for lifestyle change; meeting the client where they're at. This should be INDIVIDUALIZED, not a "one-size-fits-all" meal plan or program.
This is where my disagreements with diets comes to play: I'm by no means demonizing the intention of choosing healthful, nutritious foods; what I AM saying is that through my experience (and many can agree) diets don't work. They may be "successful" in the short term, but when a person stops following said "diet," weight gain and previous eating patterns often return. Instead of having an "all-or-nothing" approach with food, why not practice balance, variety & moderation from the start to incorporate practical and sustaining eating patterns? If gradual weight loss occurs, it will be because your body is attempting to return to its set-point, not because it's in starvation mode.
When I hear people with a platform or media outlet (RD's included) promoting "Good vs. bad" foods, "The miracle cure for weight loss," or "The key to a healthy life" that DOESN'T incorporate balance, variety, & moderation....I'll admit I cringe a little inside. I'm not trying to say "I'm right, they're wrong"....BUUUTTT I want people to be more informed of the information they receive on a daily basis. I also want to help educate how to critically evaluate the media, so others can make the best decision for their families.
Speaking of media outlets - For those of you who are my friends on social media, you already know I've found a newfound love for podcasts & blogs. I will always be a lifelong learner, and I love being able to multitask when I'm charting at work, or even as I'm writing this post. But I'll be the first to admit, I've deleted a few from my playlist when I realized they were promoting "diet talk," or had very narrow viewpoints of what "healthy" is. Of course working in the eating disorder field, I'm probably super sensitive to anything that's even remotely triggering...but I think that's helped me wean out the bullshit. :)
I kid you not, I was listening to a podcast the other day, and the Dietitian (ugh - I hate to admit it) blatantly said "You shouldn't eat ____ because it's bad for you. EVERYONE should eat ____."
GRRRRRR.....
Yes, there are foods that provide more nutritional value than others, but in my opinion the above statement is harmful. Using my critical-thinking skills and nutrition background, I stopped to evaluate what this particular RD was trying to convey. I asked myself "Why is ____ bad? Is it because it's calorically dense? Is it lacking vitamins/minerals? Is it high in sugar, carbohydrates or fat?" Maybe the food in question did meet those criteria, but that doesn't equate it to being "bad." It is a proven fact that one food, one meal, & even one day of eating will NOT cause direct weight gain, weight loss, or a nutrient deficiency...it's our eating pattern over time that counts.
My other "favorites" (obviously sarcasm inserted) are people or celebrities who don't even have a background in health or nutrition, and give their "advice" on why GMO's are bad, why organic is "healthier", why everyone should eliminate certain food groups, the definition of "successful dieting;" ......you get the drift.
If you were to ask me what my true Christmas wish is this year, it would be to blow all of these peoples' minds by dropping the bombshell that:
KALE IS A GMO CROP!!! 8-O
(*gasp*)!
**The truly snarky RD in me would LOVE to hear their responses to this, as well as seeing how they figure out what their alternative to green smoothies would be.....hehehehehehe... Okay, I'll stop being mean ;-)
***Also, just so we're clear, I have nothing against kale and do actually enjoy it - (unless it's raw and not massaged properly to take the bitterness away)! All I'm doing is poking fun at how singular items become pedestals in the food industry. Other "trendy" examples: chia seeds, kombucha, acai berries, etc. Eating these foods in and of themselves will not magically cure a disease; your entire eating patterns and lifestyle are also taken into account. (i.e. are you still a smoker? Are you sedentary? Are you restricting or bingeing)?
Do I consume the foods mentioned above, and partake in food trends? I sure do! Do I believe they are my 'end-all-be-all' to my health and well-being? Absolutely not. Which is why I want to refer others to nutrition-information that I feel is valid and has substance. Are you curious which blogs/podcasts I read and listen to? Below is a great starting list:
BLOGS
Dietitian Gone Wild - mostly recipes. Be aware there are some advertisements that promote "Foods to avoid," but overall she has some interesting flavor profiles.
Dare To Not Diet - this blogger is also one-half of the Dietitians Unplugged podcast crew (link below)
Food Insight- Straight from the International Food Information Council, this provides straight up (& brief) resources on all things food science, nutrition, farming, and education.
PODCASTS (Promoting Body Positivity/Eating Disorder Awareness)
Reclaiming You! - Not an RD, but I just love her body positivity posts and well-rounded topics (body kindness, reclaiming rest, helpful movement) and more.
PODCASTS (food science, culinary, & general nutrition education)
30 Second Bytes w/ Dietitian Cindy - literally the shortest podcasts out there! Great on the go!
Food Heaven Made Easy - they do promote a more plant-based eating approach and holistic values, but I find their podcast very informative and interesting!
The Dietitian's Dilemma- new RD's from Australia busting food-myths!
The Nourished Child - For all you mommas and mommas-to-be! Great science & evidenced-based (take that TRUMP)! info for you & the littles
Nutrition Diva's Quick and Dirty Tips - The title says it all! :)
My final word? It's all about BALANCE. Eat the foods you love, while also choosing nutrition from all food groups. Forget how many calories you're burning, and just move in a way you enjoy. Sure, you can eat an apple a day, but having a donut every so often is okay too. If you're experiencing anxiety around your exercise or food, remember that STRESS is one of the biggest culprits of long-term health consequences.
Don't sweat the small stuff. Eat your veggies - and dessert - and focus on things in life that truly matter (MUCH more than calories). :)
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