the perception of nutrition; brain dump

Nutrition is an essential component of health

Nutrition is also highly correlated to having a 'nice body'

In fact, when people find out I am studying dietetics the first thing I hear is, usually, that they want to lose some weight.

Yes, nutrition is the most powerful tool to use if this if your goal, however it is crucial to know that is it so much more than this

We tend to give a lot of value to the way peoples bodies look, and use this as a guide to determine if they are 'healthy' or not

The way that you look is not even close to being a definitive measure of your health, wellness or nutrition status

Once I had a friend come to me for advice, saying they wanted to lose weight

I asked them if they wanted to be skinny or be healthy

they replied skinny

i have thought about this conversation a lot. & since, it really hit me that some of us believe that the way we look holds so much value, that we are willing to sacrifice some of our health in attempts to look a certain way.

I promise you - if you are currently at a healthy weight and you begin eating in a caloric deficit (less calories than your body needs to maintain its current weight) you are not going to feel great

Your energy levels will suffer. Your mood will suffer. Your sex drive may suffer. You will be HUNGRY.  You may even lose your period if you are a female.

& for what?

yes, If you are classified as overweight then eating in a deficit will be beneficial but please please P L E A S E consult with a dietitian and not an instagram nutritionist or influencer :')

So it is important for us to note that being skinny, or even having the perfect physique, is not equivalent to health

Having a 'nice' body does not mean that that body is healthy

Because health goes so much further than physique

Health is your mind, your body, your soul

Its reflected in the ease you have while moving, the thoughts you think, the way that you feel, how you treat yourself and how you treat others

What you put inside of your body literally changes and affects everything inside of you - these can be tiny changes that add up over a long period of time. it is not a race. So eat foods that are packed with nutrients. Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Give your body what it needs to thrive. Don’t give into diet culture, it is not worth it in the long run. Health is a lifelong journey and commitment to yourself, not a 4 week 'cleanse'