Who'd be a Dietitian?

(Peter - Don't Fear the Fat ) #1

In theory you could be a great power for good. In practice we’d probably be really frustrated by the existing system.
Pre Keto I requested advice from a dietitian, I don’t feel I need one now but kept my appointment (phone) out of interest.
My level 5 dietitian/nutritionist listened well and while being ultra impressed by my health improvement and low carb approach was understandably guarded with advice.
Maybe the only change has to come from within.
Anyhooo I can’t apply, maybe you can?

[The Dietetics and Nutrition BSc degree ] From the very bottom.(https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/dietetics-and-nutrition---bsc-hons/)

(Mike W.) #2

I feel that whomever you end up working for would have their own “agenda” for lack of a better term and moving from that script would end you up in some hot water. I think we need to change the minds of the ones teaching and coming up with backwards ideas like food pyramids to see any real change. I personally would like someone to hold me accountable to my choices and lead gently when I sway. I can gain all the knowledge I need on my own. Also I’m far too fat for anyone to actually listen to me about diet advice, and most people seeking advice from a dietitian just want to look good in a swimsuit not actually get healthy…in my limited experience.

(Peter - Don't Fear the Fat ) #3

Yeah, that’s what I thought, you’d just be the mouth piece for a broken system.

You’d be all right, all done online nowadays and trust me, you look great :blush:

(Pete A) #4

I don’t tell others how I think they should eat or take care of themselves.

Ever.

(Robin) #5

Same, unless they sincerely ask. And even then, I just tell them I avoid sugar and processed food… so I don’t scare them off…

(Pete A) #6

There are lots of funny replies. I’ve said no sugar, processed food etc non GMO (whatever that means)

(Peter - Don't Fear the Fat ) #7

The time I can see a reason for the role is advice for someone developing a new health issue, or a carer needing advice, perhaps for a child, or learning difficulties, or the elderly, not everyone can read a ingredients labels! … there might be people that need telling, no?

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #8

The main issue is what standards you are expected to adhere to by the licensing body. In the U.S., such things vary state by state, and there would be a state dietitian’s organisation either regulating you or advising the state regulatory board. (Though I believe that not every state requires a dietitian to be licensed. How the U.K. does it, I have no idea.

(Peter - Don't Fear the Fat ) #9

Similar I’m sure. You’d be answerable to the NHS and their guide lines.
Just found this nutritional advice on the US Diabetes Ass site. A good example of what we’re up against.They recommend Carbs a plenty.

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(MC) #10

NHS dietary guidelines are similar to the US:

  1. Base your meals on higher fibre starchy carbohydrates

Starchy carbohydrates should make up just over a third of the food you eat. They include potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and cereals.

(Central Florida Bob ) #11

and

My wife was a volunteer at a clinic that offered free or low-cost health care (FWIW, a national organization called Volunteers in Medicine). Her job was answering phones and doing some clerical stuff as she has never had any medical training, just wanted to help.

When conversations would come up at work, sometimes she’d mention being keto (which she really does for convenience; I’m the one that needs to be). The ignorance was astounding. Nurses with 30 or 40 years experience that didn’t understand ketosis isn’t ketoacidosis. Eating fat makes you fat. Every dumb stereotype we ever talk about here. Of course, they’re not going to listen to a lowly receptionist. They’re the experts! When she told them, for example, that we’d helped my brother get off diabetic meds for the first time in 20 years by going keto, it was like quoting calculus to kindergartners. It meant nothing to them and they couldn’t deal with it, so they just ignored it.

After the first few experiences she adopted that attitude of don’t talk about it. If they sincerely ask, maybe.

I rarely mention it. If someone is talking about some study and it’s obvious crap, I may point out why it’s crap, but I never talk first.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #12

And then they wonder why we’re all diabetic and overweight? Sheesh!

#13

A picture is worth 1000 words! I have some older relatives, then in their late 70s, who I got doing low carb (not quite keto) in 2017 with me. One was a TOFI diabetic since age 55 who was recovering from bypass. The other needed to lose at least 30 lbs. They both accomplished their goals. I keep before and after pictures on my phone in a special file. One is a picture of the TOFI (who no longer takes T2 meds) after their heart attack looking frail and the other is after they went on a long hike on vacation looking fit and happy the following summer. The one that really startles onlookers is of the overweight person. I show a photo that I have of them from 10 years earlier (when they were even heavier) and an amazing picture of them in front of their friend’s boat. I have no idea who the friend is or where the boat is but it is honestly the best picture of a 78 year old wearing LuLuLemon you will ever see. Everyone gasps when they see it! Plus I say the TOFI is no longer on T2 meds and those injecting get this wistful look.

This is completely my problem. I hate the bias. We met some new friends last year, and we were discussing dinner. At the time they were primarily vegetarians. I asked why and they said because they believe it is healthier. I started to say something and got the feeling nothing I said would be taken seriously and smiled and nodded and ordered a steak! They are now doing Keto although came to it on their own!

I hired a dietician for one of my kids. The kid thought they needed a better more varied diet, insurance paid for it, kid wanted it and one of her classmates recommended this person. She was very nice but did all the nonsense with that the kid (late teens) must eat breakfast and four other meals or else may have disordered eating! The food suggestions were terrible, not even good based on DASH or one of the other balanced diets. About a month later I see my kid walking out of school holding a decent sized bottle of regular cola! Huh?! Are you kidding me, I never buy that unless I need to clean rust off my bicycle seat hardware! Afte the summer I did not encourage the kid to see this person anymore. Apparently her specialty was anorexia which I did not realize, when your tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail

(Kirk Wolak) #14

Honestly,
I saw a registered dietitian. I told her cutting carbs seems to be easier…
She was deadset against it, and brought up EVERY fear tactic. Then said I
needed 5 smaller meals, and 2 snacks.

Which I followed, and watched myself gain weight, and have blood sugar problems.
Eventually I came to learn that She had liposuction (because her balanced approach
was working so well). She would go home, put dinner on to cook, and do 30-45 minutes on her stationary bike. And despite being a dietitian, was struggling to maintain her weight.

I quickly realized she had “no special knowledge”, and I flipped back to lower carb.
Eventually Atkins. But never felt great (I have Egg Allergies and Dairy issues), and those
were stables on making atkins enjoyable. Also, I did “net” carbs, and way too much diet soda.
I was close enough to my target weight, and adding some carbs back in, ruined me!

It took decades for me to find Carnivore and Fasting… And massive improvements.

Now, I don’t want to talk to some dietitian… I want to follow those who started out FAT,
and managed to do better, become healthier… Like Dr. Berry, etc. etc. etc.

(Joey) #15

Rather than say “keto,” I tell folks who inquire about my mid-60s trim physique that I am struggling with a gluten deficiency. The knowing (then slightly puzzled) looks on their faces are priceless.

#16

Problem is once you have that title you can’t help anymore, that’s why so many actually into fitness and health become nutrition coaches and seek other trusted certs in the fitness world, but not mainstream medical like ones. Once you do it makes no difference what you know or think, you’re just part of the system.

Stay outside of that, and you can make a difference. Huge advantage there is more people don’t trust doctors and the sick care system more than ever now, so no problem getting people to come to you.

#17

While I agree that your dietician sounds as bad as my kid’s (see above), and her advice definitely was not right for you, and once you were gaining she should have realized and switched gears, I am starting to think there are some people who will never be effortlessly thin. Although it sounds like carnivore may be it for you but I am not there yet.

I would not judge the dietician based on her own weight (the bad advice absolutely!). I know more about diet than most people eating SAD without question, however, because I carry extra weight people do not believe me! Fat is the last great prejudice left and it is not protected although it should be. For some people attaining a BMI of 24 is as impossible as a 40 year old going from being 5’4 feet to 6 feet in height! Jimmy Moore is a perfect example of someone who knows a lot about diet but it does not translate to a BMI of 18 (although I have not kept up with him recently, I am speaking of 2018 Jimmy.)

One of my relatives did their DNA and one of the most interesting things was they (who had never been thin) were told their natural BMI was a 26! That represents the best case for them and most of their lives they were on diets that only worked temporarily (because their body wanted homeostasis) although since going low carb they are thinner than previously. This same person has exercised 5X per week (former recruited aerobic athlete and is naturally muscular (but was also overweight)) their entire adult lives because they actually like it! Exercise has many benefits but losing weight “for some people” may not be one of them.

My relative, in their DNA test, they were also told that they did not have the gene to easily break down starch. One of their friends (unrelated) who was tested by the same company was told they did have the gene! And that person has been underweight for many years. They tried Keto and could stick to it but lost too much weight to be healthy (and they were thin to begin with). I told them to eat more fat but it did not appeal to them. The friend does lower carb now.

I have to wonder if there is one ideal human diet. In 2017 when I started Keto I thought there was. I still think for many people Keto is it but I am not sure it is for absolutely everyone based on genetics and to a lesser extent taste preferences

(Kirk Wolak) #18

I read your reply, started catching up on Videos, and ran across this one…
Which agrees with some of your points…

TLDW; --> It could be the protein or the processing…

#19

I don’t think there is a “one size fits all” diet.

I think it’s printed in your DNA to eat the way your personal ancestors ate for the last couple hundred years. That used to be easy to do, but not today, given we are in a nation of immigrants and a mobile society.

So, we each have to find our way…

(Peter - Don't Fear the Fat ) #20

A work colleague of mine diagnosed with insulin resistance just hired a Harley Street dietician.
I was delighted with a keto diet recommendation…… one that includes sweet corn, carrot and brown rice!
Apparently they claimed the rice was needed because an enzyme it produces would be a big loss! Really? Sounds unlikely to me.