Avoiding Unnecessary Food Restrictions
There is so much conflicting nutrition information out there. It is hard to know what to listen to and what not. In this video, Kim will help you to make sense of nutrition information you recieve, and how to work out what is best for you.
Ask yourself 4 Questions:
Let’s use “dairy” as the example. Someone says to you – “You shouldn’t have dairy, it’s toxic”.
Question 1: Where is this information coming from? Is it from a reliable source?
Always check you are getting your information from a reliable source. For nutritionists, this is a lot easier as we understand literature and physiology and can pick up on “bullshit science” pretty quickly. If you don’t have a science background, it’s harder (hence why many people eventually DO go see someone qualified to get some clarity).
For your reference, the following are usually NOT good sources of information:
- Fashion or Gossip Magazines
- Gym owners and gym staff,
- Supplement store owners/staff
- Chefs
- Instagram influences
- Youtube health bloggers
Better places to get information from:
- Registered or Qualified Nutritionists and Dietitians
- Degree Qualified Naturopaths
Question 2: Are there any cultures that survive and thrive of this food?
I love this one. Let’s use cheese as the example – Can you imagine telling the French or anyone in Europe for that matter that all cheese is bad for them. They would not so politely tell you F** off and scrape off another helping of Raclette over their Jamon and potatoes. Or imagine asking the Greeks to take their feta out of their greek salad. Looking at cultural diversity has helped me so much with keeping my head on my shoulders with nutrition. What we have to remember, is that the health of different cultures in itself, IS one big study and it shows incredible diversity with regards to how we can thrive off multiple diets.
Question 3: What does my body tell me? Listening to your bodies own innate intelligence
When you eat something, does it make YOU feel better or worse, or no different? Again with the dairy example – if dairy makes you feel worse, if it worsens your acne, if is makes your periods heavier, if is gives you gas, bloating, blocked nose etc. Then yes. Dairy perhaps isn’t for you. (Note: There could be other things that can cause those symptoms so it is worth seeing a health professional to rule those out first). On the contrary. If you do not react to dairy at all, or can handle it fine in moderation (e.g. 1-2 servings a day), then there may be no good reason to avoid it at all.
Question 4: What do you actually like eating – “If you like it, eat it. If you don’t, don’t"
Maybe you’ve now come to the conclusion that: A) You’ve been avoiding something due to information from an unreliable source B) You understand now that populations can thrive off it so it’s not so deadly after all C) You don’t actually have any negative reaction to it
BUT your thinking – Kim, I don’t even like cheese! So do I have to eat it? Absolutely not. As far as I’m concerned, “I just don’t like it” is a perfectly justified reason not to include it in your diet. Like me and tinned tuna. I hate tuna. (HOWEVER: If eating something causes anxiety – that’s different. That’s a food fear which needs to be addressed).
On the other hand, if like DO like something, and you do not react negatively to it – then “I like it” is also a perfectly justified reason to have it IN your diet.
For example, why go on diet that eliminates all cheese if you LOVE cheese and it gives you no ill side effects? I personally can’t imagine my life without being allowed chocolate! Avoiding things you love completely, only creates restrictive thoughts and feelings of deprivation The right way of eating for you is one filled with foods you enjoy, without any guilt attached.
In summary, before setting any food rules, or making any drastic diet changes:
- Check your information is from a reliable source (someone qualified in nutrition).
- Think back to culture and tradition
- Listen to your body – give your gut instinct more credit.
- Listen to your own food preferences
In the DediKate Nutrition Education Programme, I teach you how to avoid fad diets, and ask the right questions so that you can become the expert of your OWN body.
See you there!
Kim x (DediKate's Registered Nutritionist)
