Lies may sound a little harsh.....more like fibs. Sitll bad, huh? First, I would like to clarify that Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists are the leading experts in all things food and nutrition, and work very hard, long after graduation to stay up to date on current studies and trends. I just think we need to rethink some of the stale tips and "isms" that we share with our clients and patients on a daily basis. It can be hard to sum up the way someone should eat vs how they are eating in just one meeting or session. That being said, I have given some favorite nutrition tidbits a makeover.
"A serving of meat should be about the size of your palm". Really? What if you have tiny baby hands, or large hands? May not add up if you are eating lean chicken breast every meal, but replace that with a few ounces of red meat and we are talking a difference in hundreds of calories a sitting. Your best bet is to buy an inexpensive food scale and actually weigh your meat if portion control is a goal.
"Take the stairs at work to get in more exercise". While I always give snaps to anyone who ditches the elevator for the creepy stairwell, it may only add up to a few minutes each day of actual activity. For exercise to be effective in weight loss or improving cardiovascular health, we need a minimum of 30 minutes each day of moderate to intense exercise. This number may even be closer to 60-90 minutes for others. It can be easier to reach your exercise goals if you make your plans realistic. Be specific with the time and place. Are you really going to go for a run or walk outside if it is snowing? Find something you can do right in your own home.
"Eating healthy is enjoyable". It should and can be, but let’s face it; doing the right thing every meal/every day is not always easy...or fun. Does EVERYTHING need to be enjoyable these days? Geeeeesh. The best recommendation I have is to try and make the most mindful decision at every meal, and hey, if it doesn't work out, you always have another opportunity to make up for it a few hours later. Perhaps you will load up your next meal with a ton of your favorite veggies.
Once we can translate the message health professionals are trying to convey, it will make reaching our health and fitness goals that much easier! And if you catch me using one of these phrases, you can feel free to throw it in my face. I won’t judge.
