"Can You Give Me a Good Diet?"

Saturday, May 9, 2015

If I had a quarter for every time I heard that question, I wouldn't need to work as a dietitian any more.

First off, I hate the term "diet". It is usually spoken in a negative tone and more often than not implies a short term restriction of calories or certain foods or food groups to aid in weight loss. 

The definition of diet as a noun: the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitiually eats; or a special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either to lose weight or for medical reasons. It can also be used as a verb: restrict oneself to small amounts or special kinds of food in order to lose weight. 

While all those definitions are true, the first is my favorite. Notice the word habitually. It implies a lifestyle, habits, choices made continuously. It conjures an image of a life designed around deliberate choices; choices made to reach a desired end. Most people who ask me for a diet do not have this definition in mind. They're thinking of the second. They want me to give them a quick answer, a magic pill, if you will, to help them lose weight. 

There is no magic pill. There are no special foods that will melt fat or burn calories because they "require more energy to digest than they contain". 

Second, nutrition is personal. Just like each and every person is different, the nutrition that is best for that person will be different. I can't - and won't - give them a calorie goal, "dieting tips" or any other nutrition advice without first having the chance to view a medical record for pertinent information or interviewing the person for lifestyle choices and daily habits. What works for one person might not work for all.

And, last but certainly not least, more than likely they don't want to hear what I have to say or have no intention of taking any of my advice or instructions to heart. 

In the early stages of my career as a dietitian, when I was asked that question, I was eager to answer. I wanted to help people. After all, that's why I wanted to be a dietitian. I would start out with, "Sure! Make sure to eat 3 meals a day, incorportate lots of fruits and vegetables and try to exercise." But as soon as I opened my mouth, the person asking the question would interrupt (or if they were nice would wait till I finished) and say, "I just can't do breakfast. It makes me sick to eat in the morning." or "I hate salads. I just can't do vegetables because I hate salads." 

It seems the minute they start to hear changes that have to be made or things they'll have to do that don't include a magic pill or food or some secret only a dietitian must have, they stop listening. 

An individual doesn't gain weight or become unhealthy or develop a disease overnight: chances are they won't lose weight, get healthier or suddenly be cured of a disease overnight either. No one seems to want to hear that. And I don't blame them. Waiting is hard. Change is harder. But a quick fix is just that:  a quick fix. It's not a solution. 

So please don't ask me if I know a good diet.

But if you would like personalized nutrition advice tailored to your specific height, weight, BMI, disease and/or health state, I'd be more than happy to make an appointment with you. Please be prepared to hear what you might not want to hear or be advised to make changes you may think at first to be too hard. But I promise to help you make changes that you can incorporate (and may have suggested yourself!) into your daily life. If you're unable to make an appointment with me, please seek advice from another Registered Dietitian. Use the "Find an Expert" tool on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website. http://www.eatright.org/find-an-expert 

If you do ask me, please don't be surprised to hear, "I'm sorry, I don't. But I'm sure Dr. Oz does."

Happy Mother's Day!

Friday, May 8, 2015

For Mother's Day, I'd like to thank three people who inspired me to be a dietitian and have influenced my practice as a dietitian. 

1) My Mamaw, Violet Ellen Bailey. 

As a baby, I was a fussy eater and Mamaw would spend hours trying to get me to take a bottle or eat my baby food. I am inspired hearing those stories. How much love do we show others by cooking for them, feeding them, encouraging them to eat? When I go to work every day at the long term care facility where I'm employed, I see numerous residents who need encouragement to eat or need fed and I'm reminded of my mamaw and her dedication to me. It gives me determination to find new and better ways to help nourish my residents. I remember going to Mamaw's house and watching and helping her cook dinner. Her and Papaw either had a garden or got fresh produce from my great-grandpa's garden. There was almost always home-canned or fresh vegetables to eat. She believed in me and encouraged me in my goal to become a dietitian. I only wish she could have seen me succeed. I know she would be proud.

2) My mom, Sherri. 

My mom was the first dietitian I know. No, she didn't go to school and study nutrition, do an internship, or take a registration exam. But she taught me the basics of meal planning: no all white meals - make sure to have lots of color on the plate; no more than 2 starches at a meal - if you have potatoes and corn, no bread on the table; and variety is the spice of life - she cooked a lot of different vegetables and foods in addition to encouraging me to participate in fruit and vegetable programs at the local supermarket. She set an example by buying healthy snacks and cooking complete meals. During my first job as a dietitian, I was responsible for planning the menus for the residence halls. In my mind, I could hear my mom saying, "What will it look like on the plate?" Chicken, cauliflower, and mashed potatoes make for a pretty boring meal. But swap broccoli for cauliflower and roasted redskin potatoes for the mashed and it's a colorful, healthy meal. When I told Mom about my goal to be a dietitian, she never discouraged me or tried to get me to choose a different path. She only ever encouraged me. And to this day, she heeds any nutritional advice I may offer her. My mom was my first dietitian and my first client. 

3) My foods/home ec teacher, Teresa Tresslar. 

During one of her foods classes, she took us to the local hospital to tour the kitchen. I was a sophomore and was trying to decide the course I wanted to take for my career. I knew I loved to cook, I loved to teach and I loved science, health and nutrition. Not knowing of any career path that combined all those passions, I had decided that I could continue to cook for fun and teach a Sunday School class at church, thereby fulfilling those passions. That left health/nutrition/science. I had been researching careers in science prior to this field trip. During the tour of the kitchen we met the hospital's dietitian. When she described what she did, my ears perked up: all my passions combined in one career! I started researching jobs within the dietetics field. I was sold! From then on, that was my goal.  I researched colleges with dietetics programs. I settled on IU and the rest is history. 

So on Mother's Day 2015, as I reflect back on 15 years of studying/practicing in the field of nutrition/dietetics, I give thanks and honor to three women who influenced not only my career but my life. Thank you! Happy Mother's Day!