I Am Not the Food Police
| July 27, 2012 | Posted by Carrie under attitude about food, Dietitians |
I eat healthy most of the time, I work out consistently and I’m studying nutrition. None of those things qualify me to judge your food choices. I am not the food police.
I am responsible for the food I put in my mouth. You are responsible for the food you put in your mouth. The only people that I give unsolicited food advice to are my own two children.
Yes, I said “unsolicited”. If you ask for my opinion on food and nutrition, I sure will give it to you.
I am not the food police, in fact, quite the opposite. I love food. I love good food. I don’t like Frankenfoods. I like good, fresh, yummy, real food. I love colorful food, I love tasty food, I love sharing my love of food with my friends and family.
When you learn that I am studying nutrition, please don’t assume that I want to fix your issues. We all have issues and can only deal with them when we are ready to do so.
Also, if you invite me over for dinner, please don’t worry about what you prepare. I’m flexible and I will not go hungry for lack of food. I appreciate your efforts to make something ‘healthy’ for me but mostly because I hope it helps you enjoy good food as well.
I’m just studying nutrition. While I may already have more nutrition training than most Medical Doctors, I still have a long way to go. Much of what I will tell you is what I have learned over my lifetime and mainly over the last three years since I started taking better care of myself.
Even when I do become an RD, I will still NOT be the food police. I will continue to be responsible for my own food choices and I will work with those who choose to utilize my services. I was doing a little research on this topic yesterday and came across countless articles from other RD’s proclaiming their freedom from being the food police as well.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my food choices over the years. I’ve had short lived efforts that included diet pills, shakes and the like. I also freely admit to going on the cookie diet for a few weeks when I first decided to change my unhealthy ways three years ago.
I’m not perfect. I’m a believer in the 80/20 rule. I try to eat right 80%ish of the time and then I’ll know that the 20% of my not healthy choices won’t have a lasting impact on my health. I don’t always meet that 80% and over the years I’ve learned that for the most part I want the 20% indulgences to really be worth it. I won’t usually eat store bought Frankenfoods, but give me something ooey and gooey homemade and I’m all over that.
Or, give me a fantastic Reese’s S’mores and I’ll gladly eat two.
I do believe that nutrition is key to fitness health and am linking up with Jill’s Fitness Friday Blog Hop. I want to say congratulations to Jill who was recently selected as a Fitfluential Ambassador, too!
Disclaimer: this is my blog and all opinions expressed on my blog are my own. I’m not asking you to agree with me or even to read. Those things are your own choice.
i think its important to indulge every so often… the reeses smores is the PERFECT indulgence in my opinion
Lisa J recently posted..Northwest Passage Ragnar- Ultra Beast Mode Part 2
Yes it is important to indulge. I do have to remind myself to not indulge too often.
Amen! I once told my boyfriend’s sister in law that I was trying to eat healthy and she said, “well you better not come over to our house then”! Huh. I admit, if you serve me ribs and mac n cheese and fries, I will probably eat them in moderation, but I sure will eat them! And your 80/20 is a great example, because if I know I am going to “splurge”, I will make sure to “save it” for the big one! Or not. Nobody is perfect and you can’t be right, or do it right, all the time. No biggie.
Travel Spot recently posted..Finish This: July
Love that “you can’t be right, or do it right all the time”. So true.
I feel this way too. I try to eat healthy most of the time, but there is that time that I do give in to temptation! I try not to be overbearing or bossy on the matter, but like you said, if you ask me… I’m going to tell you!
And I’ll add… if you read my blog, I’m going to give you my opinion.
Indulging! Yes, that is part of a healthy diet!
Charissa recently posted..Natural Lip Treatment
Healthy means so many things – I used to think it meant restricting. Moderation is so much more healthy.
I totally can relate. People think that bc I’m studying nutrition and eat healthy that I’m this perfect eater who doesn’t indulge or cheat EVER! Yes, I eat healthy most of the time but it doesn’t mean that I’m judging others who’re eating whatever they’re enjoying. However, I must say that I’m guilty of looking at everyone’s grocery carts as I shop, and thinking “oh those frozen foods..sodas..they.need.to.be.put.back!” haha. In the beginning when I went to potlucks ,my friends made fun of me and said “oh she’s going to bring those boring foods that she eats.” But now they look forward to my contribution! That’s an awesome feeling!
I love s’mores and I’ll eat more than my “serving size” any day!!
Min @ savortherainbow recently posted..Seaweed Soup
That is excellent motivation to bring yummy food to a potluck. I try really hard to bring something yummy and flavorful and not necessarily super indulgent.
I always appreciate your balanced approach! I feel the same way– despite vegetarian/vegan leanings, I am not out to judge other’s habits and am a very flexible dinner guest.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Treadmill Interval Workouts
Thank you so much. Sometimes I think I’m a more flexible dinner guest than the rest of my picker-eater family
Hmmm, ooey & gooey, If i ever have twins, that will be their middle names.
And Yes, I am the one who is responsible for what I eat; only me. No matter how much advice anyone has, I do the shoving of calories into my body.
As for medical docs, my opinion… regardless of how much nutrition training they receive in their careers, most do not rely on it in performing their doc jobs. Sure, some embrace nutrition science and use it in working with their patients, but very few. I don’t rely on medical docs for nutrition advice, it is not their specialty.
Patrick recently posted..F is For?
Still planning more kids?
Those Reeses smores look delish!! I love to read all your nutrition posts so I can try to make healthier choices:) and I never feel like you are preachy. I agree that you know way more about nutrition than most doctors. Seems weird that they don’t know more.
hikermom recently posted..Free Rant Friday
Thank you so much, that means a lot to me to read.
Thank is so awesome that you’re studying nutrition! That is something that I have wanted to do for a while. Do you do it online?
Laura recently posted..The Importance of a Rest Day
I’m taking in-person classes. The Dietetics programs have pretty specific requirements. You can go to eatright.org to read all about the RD education. That’s the credentials that I will be earning.
I so agree with your balanced approach – a little indulgence every now and then isn’t going to hurt. Everything in moderation as the saying goes
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..Part coach, part therapist
My challenge is to just keep the indulgences to the 20%.
My cookie diet is what made me overweight in the first place! I did buy the Prevention Ice Cream Diet for realz. One reason I now have no faith in Rodale! It is interesting how people assume that we are judging them. I think it shows that they know they are not making the best choices.
Coco recently posted..Book Review: Gold By Chris Cleave
Oh, that kind of cookie diet… yea, that one doesn’t work
The 80/20 rule is such a good one, so important to indulge at times but maintain healthy eating the rest. It is worth it for that treat
Jen recently posted..Foam Rolling
The cool thing is that with 21 meals a week – the 20% indulgent-ness is really a decent amount of treats
Great post! Love the pictures!
Thank you and thank you for visiting.
Indulging is definitely necessary to stay sane!
Matt @ The Athlete’s Plate recently posted..Hello Texas Heat
Oh yea – I had a time where I didn’t allow myself to indulge and it just led to binges. Very very unhealthy.
Great post. I tried to only eat super healthy for awhile and found that it was no fun. Now I indulge when I feel like it and try to follow the 80/20 rule as well.
Christy @My Dirt Road Anthem recently posted..Run, Sprint, Bike, Eat Lemon Meringue Pie
Thank you. Such a more balanced approach to life and food.
Haha, this rings so true! I completely agree with you. People always think I’m going to criticize their food choices, then get shocked when I order chicken wings. What can I say, I like balance!
Great post!
Brittany (Healthy Slice of Life) recently posted..5 Simple Salads
A good lesson to not judge people.
Ahh…I love this. Everyone always assumes that because my husband and I own a gym and are trainers that we eat perfect all of the time and are always working out. Someone said to my husband last weekend (someone who had just met us) when we were at a party…”Oh…you drink beer?”. HAHA
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength recently posted..Last Day!
Thank you so much. Yes, people… it’s okay to drink beer! Thanks for sharing.
Well put! I am not a RD, nor do I plan on being one, but because I am health conscious, people feel the need to explain their (poor) food choices to me. I really don’t care! Like you, I will give my opinion, if asked.
Leonor @FoodFaithFitness recently posted..WIAW- travel edition
Why do people feel the need to justify their poor choices? They are in charge of themselves. Thanks for commenting.