“IF I KNEW WHAT WORKING WITH A NUTRITIONIST WAS REALLY LIKE, I WOULD HAVE DONE IT MONTHS AGO”: THE M

Whenever I work with a new client I ask that they complete a short survey at the end of our time together, part of that survey asks for their feedback regarding the service I provided. By far, the most common feedback I get is “if I knew what working with a nutritionist was really like, I would have done it months ago”

So after talking with clients about this feedback, here’s what people thought working with a nutritionist was going to be like:

Their current dietary habits would be reviewed and then they’d be told all those things they’re doing wrong
Their diet would be changed significantly with major restrictions and eliminations
They would have to “suffer” through the next 6-8 weeks unable to eat anything that they previously found enjoyable, comforting
Relaxing and enjoyable family meals out at local restaurants would have to end
They would end up feeling frustrated and deprived and “give up” just like they did so many times before with failed dieting attempts
It would involve “major change” and they just weren’t ready to commit to having to change everything

And here’s what they found out it was actually like working with a nutritionist:

They weren’t actually told that everything they were currently doing was wrong, instead they were given valuable information, tools and resources that allowed them to become a more informed shopper, menu planner, meal preparer and general life “lover”
Their current diet wasn’t actually “overhauled” and completely changed, there weren’t a bunch of restrictions and eliminations. Instead they were given “additions” to their current dietary plan; things to add to their current meal and snack routines.
There actually was no “suffering” through the next 6-8 weeks. Instead there was a bunch of interesting information, great resources and tools and it turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable and fun
Restaurant family meal times didn’t end. Instead there were some simple tools and strategies to help when choosing those restaurant meals… and the key word was “moderation” not “elimination”
There were no feelings of frustration and deprivation; it didn’t resemble or feel like a “diet”. Instead it actually felt like the opposite of that… it felt like I was actually incorporating “more” into my routine and not less
Although there was change, it didn’t feel overwhelming or unreasonable. It never felt like “an all or nothing”

And here’s my personal and professional perspective on BALANCED Nutrition a BALANCED diet and a BALANCED life:

Our bodies naturally strive for homeostasis (BALANCE) and they function best and keep us healthy when they are able to do so… for example:

our bodies work hard to maintain an ideal PH Balance (we run into trouble when we become either too alkaline or too acidic)
our bodies work hard to maintain an ideal body temperature (we run into trouble when our core temperature is too low or too high)
our bodies work hard to maintain an ideal hormonal balance (we run into trouble when this balance is skewed in one direction or the other)
our bodies work hard to maintain an ideal heart rhythm, ideal blood volume
…among many others

In order for our body to function at it’s best, we have to ensure that we are providing it with the essentials (proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, water, fibre) to do so and we have to ensure that we are recognizing and addressing imbalances and deficiencies.

So a big part of my work is recognizing when there’s a risk of deficiency and/or imbalance and preventing further progression, recognizing deficiency and imbalance when it’s already occurred and helping to bring back BALANCE and ensuring that you have all of the information, tools and resources you need.

Although a part of my work is educating you about unhealthy choices (processed and refined food items, sugar, unhealthy fats etc.), the impact these choices have on our body’s ability to maintain BALANCE and the negative outcome that IMBALANCE and DEFICIENCY has on our health… I concentrate more on “adding” then I do on “taking away” It makes sense that the more good choices we “add”, the less room there is for the unhealthy choices! As we choose more of the “healthy” and the “unhealthy” is naturally reduced our body will be receiving what it requires to maintain BALANCE … which is great news for us and our health!