5 things you need to know about nutritionists.
This blog is one I’ve wanted to write for a long time. As a nutritionist (although I’m sure many other professionals can empathise!), people make immediate assumptions about me all the time. When I tell people that I’m a nutritionist, the response is usually one of the following:
“You must be so healthy/eat so healthily”.
“You must NEVER eat X food”.
“You must be in great shape”.
“You would hate to see what I eat”.
People make all these assumptions about my diet and lifestyle, but also assume that I’m judging their choices, and that is just not true. So the following list may be news to some of you!
5 things you need to know about nutritionists:
We like fast food too.
We use processed and convenience products all the time.
We don’t count calories or macros.
We don’t all have gym membership.
We come in all shapes and sizes.
Nutritionists know that all foods are useful in the diet in some way. Fast food can be tasty, satisfying, cheap and quick. Processed products reduce time for food prep and food waste, and are just really handy! If you have a healthy relationship with food you don’t see foods as good/bad or healthy/unhealthy, and so it all just becomes food. When that happens your choice becomes about what you actually want, what will satisfy your hunger and cravings.
It is so important to remember that at the end of the day, food is food and ultimately as long as it supplies us with energy it serves a purpose. If you approach nutrition like this, there is no need to count anything. Your body tells you what, when and how much food it needs. (Although that sounds simple, it can be quite a journey to get to that point!)
What’s more, nutritionists aren’t necessarily more fit than the general population. Our role does not require us to work out or to look a certain way. You don’t need a particular body to possess knowledge on a subject, including nutrition!
I believe that if we break down some of these misconceptions about certain professions, people will be more open to what we have to say, so please don’t feel the need to prove that you’re “healthy” or don’t eat certain foods to a nutritionist. We know when you’re lying and there is just no point.
Also, please don’t make assumptions about our diet, we like tasty food as much as you do! In fact, that applies to everyone. Please do not make comments about anyone’s diet or body unless you know they are comfortable with you doing so. Even if you think what you are saying is complimentary please don’t comment. Their weight and diet is probably the least interesting thing about them anyway- what about their job, hobbies, new hair style, holiday plans, favourite Friends quotes…So many other things to discuss!
Lots of love,
Little O x
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