Nutrition used to be so simple when we were kids. You had cereal and milk for breakfast. A sandwich for lunch, with fruit, chips, or a cookie. At dinner you just needed to clean your plate. Sound familiar?
I remember when it got complicated for me. I was 13 years old. I stepped on the scale and was shocked to see I had gained 20 pounds in a year! That seemed like way too much. So naturally I became very interested in nutrition. I launched a teenager’s search for a healthier diet- via books, magazines, the internet (1998’s internet, mind you), and a general survey of my peers. The first diet I tried was low-fat, followed by Atkins, south beach, vegan, vegetarian, sugar-free, detox, high fiber, fruit fasts- you name it, I bet you I’ve tried it. I even visited an esthetician who insisted I drink 12 cups of water per day- everyone should! Huh?! When I saw that nutrition was a major at the college I was interested in, it was a no-brainer.
Alright, this brings me to an important subject: how to identify a “nutrition expert”. Do an internet search on “nutrition” or “diet” and you will find nothing less than an avalanche of information. So what now? How can you sift the right from the wrong? Sound advice backed by scientific research vs. hyped-up opinion? Well, take a closer look at who or where the advice is coming from. Did you realize that many people who identify themselves as “nutritionists” have no formal education, training, or certification to go along with that? Hmm.
Ok, so who are the nutrition experts? Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). Hey, that’s me! And guess why? They spend a minimum of 4 years studying the particulars every food item you can imagine, nutrition for different populations and cultures, food service management, nutritional biochemistry and metabolism, chemistries and biologies of all kinds, anatomy and physiology, and medical nutrition therapy…. are you bored yet? But, that’s not all. On top of that, RDNs go through a separate internship program averaging one year in length where they get hands-on training in the fields of clinical nutrition, food service management, health and wellness, community nutrition, and the list goes on. Throughout this entire process, the emphasis is on practicing nutrition utilizing ever-advancing medical and nutritional research. After completing this rigorous program, they must pass the nationally recognized registration exam. Then, and only then, are they nutrition experts!
Why is all this training necessary? The fact of the matter is food is medicine, really. Just as a doctor doesn’t give every patient he or she sees the same type or amount of medication regardless of medical condition or symptoms, there is no one diet a dietitian would prescribe to fit all. Think of a dietitian as a mathematician with nutrition numbers- that’s the best way I can describe it. Medical and nutritional research has established practice guidelines for RDNs, and they use formulas to calculate individual’s needs for calories, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fluids, and even vitamins and minerals that are specific to each age group, gender and medical condition. Too much or too little of any of these nutrients can lead to very serious health problems- especially in individuals who are at risk due to underlying medical conditions. So that’s at the heart of what a dietitian does!
Now, I have to be honest- armed with all this nutrition knowledge can make you a little weird about food! Ok, really weird. RDNs are notorious for being nervous, over-analytical eaters. I once took an aerobics class alongside one who afterwards popped opened a tiny tupperware bowl of steamed broccoli and savored it like it was a chocolate bar (uh… ?!). I too was a nervous eater at first! But several things have changed that. One, I married a guy’s guy who in our first year of marriage tried to overhaul my fruit and veggie-heavy shopping carts with mounds of soda, meats, and cheeses… he has lovingly met me in the middle since (alright, alright, I basically won that battle)! But he taught me a lesson in enjoying sinfully delicious foods I used to ban- in moderation of course! Second, I took an awesome class on Gastronomy- the pleasures of eating- that reminded me of all the beautiful feelings and sensations that go along with indulging in really delicious food. Third, I had a baby, which has made me realize that eating healthy when you’re utterly exhausted, pressed for time, have an insatiable appetite (hello pregnancy and lactation!), and can’t really think straight is TOUGH! Bottom line- I LOVE food. I think about it all day. I do love my veggies and fruits quite a bit. But also, dark chocolate and salt and vinegar chips are kind of my boyfriends.
So, all that said, I am here to help! Do I have some magic diet tricks up my sleeve? Not exactly. But I can help you see things as a dietitian does, one subject at a time, to help you make informed decisions about what and how you eat. It is my plan/ hope to uncover nutrition myths, share recipes I love (probably some sinful ones thrown in for good measure), help you navigate grocery stores better, share quick run-downs on specific nutrition subjects, and keep you up-to-date with interesting emerging research. And probably other stuff too! Most will probably be general nutrition guidance. If you have any specific medical conditions (ie. high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, heart disease, etc.) or questions, please do not hesitate to email me! I am also available for one-on-one counseling in person or via telephone/ internet.
Thank you for reading! Stay tuned…..
Jessica
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