Reality Check: Nutritionist Advice

[OakLeaf]

Seriously, call her to the table. Pretty much ALL of her recommendations go against modern sports nutrition and actually sound pretty dangerous. No woman should dip below 1200 net calories/day.

+1

If she's got research to back it up, she should be happy to share. Otherwise ... it just sounds really, really wrong to me.

FWIW, I've read recently that endurance athletes shouldn't go full low-carb, because our bodies will learn not to burn carbs during competitions when we need quick energy. But grains are the most acidifying component of most people's diets, and I can't imagine increasing grains. I feel *so* much better since I reduced my grain intake. My weight's reasonably stable and has been for a while, but since I reduced grains, my mostly sedentary DH has followed along to a lesser extent and spontaneously lost like 15# without making any other changes.


Also FWIW, you might search for a nutritionist who's a member of Dietitians for Professional Integrity. I certainly would make sure I'm taking advice from someone who's more interested in health than corporate sponsorship ...

[Blueberry]

Thanks, ladies. I thought my gut was correct on this one, and you're definitely confirming that. I suspect I need to balance my meals better (move more calories earlier in the day), but that *what* I'm eating isn't fundamentally incorrect (when I eat carbs, it's things like sweet potato for the most part). I should have known I was in trouble when she asked what "subclinical hypothyroidism" meant.

*If* I go to the second appointment, I'll definitely ask her for sources. When I pushed a little today, and responded in a "if you want to lose weight, you will do what I say" manner. She also said (when I pushed on compensating some for exercise) that we could talk about that when I stopped wanting to lose weight. Not before.

I *think* her theory is that my calories have been running below my base metabolic rate (from tables, which she believes to be accurate). Basically, I've been trying to lose weight for so long my body is quite used to starving. I don't see how giving it more grains and less "good stuff" helps that, though - and she didn't have a great response other than "it thinks it's starving."

Zoom - she's not absolutely against fat - but only 5 tsp a day total. Heavy on dairy (which, ironically, can be full fat). Basically, it's the freaking food pyramid that researchers have now fairly conclusively doesn't work. Will definitely check out the Feed Zone books. Assuming my hamstring calms down (and my PT approves), I might also consider a coach/personal trainer to help me safely ramp my activity back up. I expect that will help much more than following this plan.

[Crankin]

This sounds really ***-backwards. That's the way I used to eat when I was in my thirties, teaching 7 aerobics classes a week. I weighed 92 and everyone thought I had a severe eating disorder. I would run, run, run away and find an RD who has a specialty in sports nutrition.

[maillotpois]

Oh sure - so if your body is in starvation mode then let's not compensate it for when it exercises. Makes SO much sense. NOT.

[zoom-zoom]

Oh sure - so if your body is in starvation mode then let's not compensate it for when it exercises. Makes SO much sense. NOT.

RIGHT!!! I'd love to see this woman's license and where she received her training. I think any of us have a better handle on what is a healthy way to eat.

[Hartmame]

More of the same. I did my own research when the doctor told me I was headed toward becoming diabetic. I spoke to several diabetics about their diets. I used my fitness pal for calorie counting and for helping me keep my carbs, proteins, and fats balanced. I replaced my simple carbs with complex carbs. Reduced my alcohol intake. I began exercising for 2 hours a day mostly spinning but also trying to increase muscle. I ended up losing 35lbs from Jan 1- June. It was pretty easy to keep it off for the summer but fall and the holidays tripped me up and I put 10 back on so I'm trying to get back to it.

[shootingstar]

Good luck in dealing with your dietician.