A few "cliche" things your Dietitian may actually do

by Anne Myers-Wright RD/APD

Posted on Jan 20, 03:34 PM in . No comments.

When I am looking through pages on the internet, I often come across articles such as:

“Dietitians NEVER eat these foods”

“Dietitian/Nutritionist claims they eat THIS food every day”

“Eat like a Dietitian – what Dietitians eat in a day”.

To be honest, this is usually not that interesting. And probably a bit of a fib.

Most of us are just normal people who eat normal food. We live by the principle that there is no such thing as a“bad” food and really don’t really like promoting the idea of “superfoods” and perfect diets. Your average Dietitian will be a fairly ordinary, food loving creature who enjoys eating most things in moderation. Eating healthy isn’t just about the individual foods we eat, it’s about the whole picture. It also includes attitudes and our relationships to food and eating and is also about the social connections we make in the process.

That being said, I thought it would be fun to find out some of the things and ways that Dietitians DO eat, that could be considered to be, well, a little cliché. So, I asked around!

Here are a few of the little “cliché” things that some Dietitians, from around the world, actually include in their everyday meals.

Meal balance is something that lots of Dietitians do take into account when eating.

Kiah Paetz, from plant nutrition and wellness says” I do try and portion all my meals into meals 1/2 plate veg and 1/4 plate protein and 1/4 plate carbohydrate”.

Breanna Woods also has a portion strategy. “When eating out, I usually take half of my food home. It helps me keep portions in check and I love having leftovers for the next day!“.

Lisa Cicciarello Andrews, from sound bites nutrition balances her meals. “I eat protein (peanut butter or cottage cheese) with fruit. It gives me more energy!”. So, does Diana Reid, the global dietitian , who tries to get protein and veggies at every meal, including breakfast.

Surinder Ghatoray watches her carbs “I follow Low GI and glycaemic load principles. Well, most of the time anyway!”

Jacomie Nel from simply nutritious me never skips meals. “I actually eat 5-6 small meals daily and never skip breakfast.”

Teresa Day practices what she preaches “I get my five a day, my protein comes from legumes, seafood game and occasionally red meat and I get my monounsaturates from nuts and seeds. But above all, I enjoy and cooking and sharing and never forget it’s one of life’s great pleasures.”

Quite a few of us are genuine vegetable lovers. I love vegetables and salad and try to add them to every meal. I am in good company.

Joanna Baker, Everyday Nutrition says “I actually do eat veggies at lunch & dinner every day” and Danielle Carbone Aberman, Migraine relief coach uses this as her criteria for eating out. “When my husband asks me where I’d like to go for lunch I say, “someplace with a good salad.”

Claire Pettitt is also a salad fan. She told me “I eat salad pretty much Every day, but when I say salad, I don’t just mean lettuce tomato and cucumber!”

Petra Salo always aims to have at least half of her plate filled with veg at lunch and dinner.
Lisa Bailey is a busy lady but also adds vegetables “I also use frozen fruit and veg on a regular basis to save time and money”.

Kathryn Stewart eats fruit and vegetables as part of every meal but also includes chocolate every day…the latter is non-negotiable,
Lynda Kowalewicz is also a chocolate fan “I do eat chocolate sometimes and enjoy eating it without feeling guilty

Sugary drinks are a no go for many of us

Julie Wallace Dietitian Nutritionist told me “I actually only drink water. Plain boring water. Granted its easy when you dislike carbonation (soda) and can’t have caffeine at all (coffee and most tea). I could indulge in sweetened decaf teas and hot chocolate though as well as alcohol, but I save those for special occasions.
Katie Bedell-Bishop also never drinks soda or any caffeinated beverages at all (including decaf). “No juice. Water rules all!!”

Louise Elvin-Walsh says “No soft drinks, ever. Just water and tea. Occasionally coffee.” She also tries to watch her meal positions and is a big vegetable lover. She eats vegetables 3 times a day and loves them at breakfast. Louise told me “I always practice hunger and fullness awareness. This often results in only 2 meals a day on the weekend (due brunch).”

We have porridge/oat and linseed lovers amongst us

Katie Bedell-Bishop says “I eat oatmeal every morning for breakfast, I feel lost without it!”

Amy Featherstone RD agrees “I am the same = even on holiday!

Kate Roberts RD, eats porridge every morning with seeds in, takes probiotics and monitors what her kids eat like a hawk! Although she does let them have treats!

Adele Anderton and Ashleigh Macaskill both love linseeds. Ashleigh says “I add linseed to everything I can.

Nicole Dell’Aquila told me “I love spirulina in my smoothies and so do my kids…. we call them Incredible Hulk shakes.”

There are a few of us who just can’t stop being “on the job”

Dani Sindelar, from ladybug consulting usually ask her husband “did you make sure and eat breakfast today?” or “when’s the last time you ate fruit? “ while
Amy Featherstone likes to watch people’s food trolleys “I like looking at what people are buying at the supermarket not because I’m judging but because I’m interested in what varying demographics purchase.
Elizabeth Campling isn’t so keen “My worse task of the week is food shopping! Even though I love food and cooking”

So my cliché items? Well I can’t live without breakfast either and tend to choose porridge or my old favourite Bran style cereal. I love a salad and try to avoid eating between meals. But mostly, I just try to eat like everyone else. I guess, however, none of us can help being a little cliché now and then.

Tags: Balance, Dietitians, Porridge, Regular Meals, Superfood, Vegetables

About the author

Anne Myers-Wright

Anne Myers-Wright RD/APD

Anne is a Health Professions Council (HPC) registered dietitian (RD), an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD- Australia), a fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), a member of the British Dietetic Association, The Nutrition Society and of The Dietetics Association of Australia.

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