Who should be allowed to talk about food, eating and nutrition.
I got a bachelors of science degree in biotechnology. I was far from the best student but memorising how cells work for two semesters left me with some elementary understanding of how it works.
I got a diploma in broadcast journalism from the ACJ.
I then got my diploma in Sports Nutrition from the International Olympic Committee.
My approach to nutrition is quantitative and aims to foster habits. Figure out how many potential calories a client needs. Factor for the foods they can eat. Portion it out to ensure the client gets enough protein and fiber. Supplement with an Omega 3 in most cases. Push for adherence by prioritising food inclusion and gradually introduce portion control.
As a thumb rule, if the client needs a calorie deficit (and not all do), use the smallest deficit you can to help them lose weight. If they’re having a hard time improving body composition, use activity to increase calorie expenditure. I am not a fan of large deficits.
I use verified databases from USDA. I base my protein recommendations on studies by Rajavel Elangovan. I factor for quality of protein using DIASS or IAAO scores (whichever is available).
If a client requires lots of hand holding, has several allergies or requires exclusion diets, I refer it out to folks like Geetha Ghaliyavar
If a hypothetical rule came into force that does not allow me talk about nutrition, would it be fair? Would my diploma ‘allow’ me to talk about nutrition to my clients or potential clients?
THE PROBLEMS
If you don’t allow for public engagement, discourse or conversations about nutrition, you drive conversations underground or into private forums. I don’t know about you but i would rather take the misinformation bull by the horns and know who is spewing it rather than have it fly off the radar.
What happens if ‘official’ dietitian’s spew misinformation? Will they be disbarred? How about recommendations to NOT strength train (happens a lot)?
How about the nature of the recommendations? Would Amura and similar organisations that revolve around ‘fighting’ diabetes and insulin resistance come under the radar? How would you deal with recommendations that push for counterproductive, criminally low calorie intake levels. How about diets that don’t recommend atleast a gram of protein per kg a day? How about organisations that hawk blood sugar monitors? AI apps that talk about nutrition?
Takeaway
Dietitians have only one option: dramatically improve the precision and quality of messaging to combat poor quality information that comes from ‘within’ or outside.
The reason slick communicators get so much attention is people want information they can use. And they will take it from anywhere. That vacuum needs filling. And the market does not care if the information comes from a person with or without a degree. It just has to work. Ideally sustainably.
I got a bachelors of science degree in biotechnology. I was far from the best student but memorising how cells work for two semesters left me with some elementary understanding of how it works.
I got a diploma in broadcast journalism from the ACJ.
I then got my diploma in Sports Nutrition from the International Olympic Committee.
My approach to nutrition is quantitative and aims to foster habits. Figure out how many potential calories a client needs. Factor for the foods they can eat. Portion it out to ensure the client gets enough protein and fiber. Supplement with an Omega 3 in most cases. Push for adherence by prioritising food inclusion and gradually introduce portion control.
As a thumb rule, if the client needs a calorie deficit (and not all do), use the smallest deficit you can to help them lose weight. If they’re having a hard time improving body composition, use activity to increase calorie expenditure. I am not a fan of large deficits.
I use verified databases from USDA. I base my protein recommendations on studies by Rajavel Elangovan. I factor for quality of protein using DIASS or IAAO scores (whichever is available).
If a client requires lots of hand holding, has several allergies or requires exclusion diets, I refer it out to folks like Geetha Ghaliyavar
If a hypothetical rule came into force that does not allow me talk about nutrition, would it be fair? Would my diploma ‘allow’ me to talk about nutrition to my clients or potential clients?
THE PROBLEMS
If you don’t allow for public engagement, discourse or conversations about nutrition, you drive conversations underground or into private forums. I don’t know about you but i would rather take the misinformation bull by the horns and know who is spewing it rather than have it fly off the radar.
What happens if ‘official’ dietitian’s spew misinformation? Will they be disbarred? How about recommendations to NOT strength train (happens a lot)?
How about the nature of the recommendations? Would Amura and similar organisations that revolve around ‘fighting’ diabetes and insulin resistance come under the radar? How would you deal with recommendations that push for counterproductive, criminally low calorie intake levels. How about diets that don’t recommend atleast a gram of protein per kg a day? How about organisations that hawk blood sugar monitors? AI apps that talk about nutrition?
Takeaway
Dietitians have only one option: dramatically improve the precision and quality of messaging to combat poor quality information that comes from ‘within’ or outside.
The reason slick communicators get so much attention is people want information they can use. And they will take it from anywhere. That vacuum needs filling. And the market does not care if the information comes from a person with or without a degree. It just has to work. Ideally sustainably.