Myths: Nutrition Counseling

Many people are reluctant to seek nutrition counseling because we have a number of assumptions about the professional…and what the consultation may be like.

Nutrition Professionals are all the same:

Nutrition counselors can cover a broad spectrum and have many different backgrounds and degrees. Some are in hospitals, others in private practice, others at health co-ops. Some are passionate about cooking, others don’t really enjoy it. Some prefer to just talk food, others like to delve more into your emotions and feelings surrounding food. Some specialize in sports nutrition, others work in geriatric nutrition. We all have slightly different skills, approaches, and expertise.

Know everything about food:

Nutrition is a vast field, so if you have a very specific question about an area we’re not familiar with, we may not know the answer right off the bat. Personally, I look to science based research for answers. There are many fad based diets, as well as a long history of discovery regarding how diet affects overall health. 

Only people with medical issues like obesity and diabetes need nutrition advice

Actually, Nutrition coaching is for a multitude of issues. Namely, empowering you to create a positive and healthy relationship with food. You (or your loved one) may be training for a marathon, increasing your time spent playing sports, discovered an allergy, decided to become vegan or vegetarian, or even just read something on the internet about how to stay young forever/reclaim your vitality. You may be able to do all of these things on your own, but a little science based advice will get you where you want to go faster and with less confusion. 

Getting advice on nutrition is just going to be depressing:

I am not the food police. We are hard enough on ourselves, hiring someone to shake a finger at you for eating something is not helpful. Besides, when you think of healthy nutrition like a DIET you begin to think of forbidden food. Instead of making a list of everything you can never eat again we will use an intuitive eating evidence-based approach to change our mindset and behaviors to implement a functionally nutritious way of eating to lead a stronger, healthier life.

I’m a good cook, I don’t need any help in the kitchen: 

That is awesome! Unfortunately, many of the recipes we grew up with have may be hard on our health. Depending on the culture at the time, decadence, preservatives, and time saving may have been more important than a balanced meal. Now let’s talk about how to use all your kitchen skills (and lets not forget grocery shopping skills) to fuel your body, mind, and the bodies of everyone who sits at your table. 

I can’t cook at all, so nutrition coaching is a fool’s errand:

Do not fret, come with an open mind and we can help you adopt a new attitude around food and health. Starting with a blank slate means it may take more time, but even if you eat at restaurants all the time nutrition coaching can help you learn healthy eating habits that will change your level of energy and the way you feel for the better. Not to mention, I can teach you a few quick, easy recipes the you can use even if you don’t have a fridge. 

Fat/Gluten/Sugar/fill in the blank free 

Many of us remember low fat diets from our youth, they were based on the research at the time, but that research has changed, and so have our recommendations. Instead of being the food police, nutrition professionals are going to help you find what works for you, and helps you maintain a happy, healthy lifestyle. 

Food guide lectures

I promise you that every nutrition class and government program your nutrition counsellor attended included a food guide in some form; pyramid, pagoda, rainbow, plate, wheel, calendar, compass and many more. But many of us realize that people don’t want to come and be lectured about the food guide. While food guides can be a great initial discussion and learning tool, nutritional knowledge is developing a more flexible view of eating. Healthy eating looks different for different people and may not necessarily fit within a specific food guide’s recommendations.