Diet Knowledge: Then and Now

Dear reader,

Before I went to Africa in 2009, I read a book that informed me to play dead if I were to be charged by a hippo.  While I didn’t have to use that strategy, reason tells me that it makes sense.  But once I arrived in Africa, the locals told me that if a hippo charged me I should run like hell and climb up a tree.

Yeah, uhh... playing dead might not work in this situation

With many things in life, we learn from experience and practice.  We learn that good strategies might fall short and that there may be better options we haven’t yet considered. Same goes for eating and exercise.

I’m a dietitian and trainer. I’m part of a group that wants to improve your health and help you get/stay lean. But I gotta be straight. A lot of things have changed in the nutrition and fitness world over the past 15 years.  Plus,  I’ve gained experience and practice. My knowledge base has evolved.

So, on behalf of myself and the dietetics community I wanted to apologize for some things we might have told you that weren’t 100% accurate.  Some things that experience and new research taught us were incorrect.

I’m sorry I told you that all foods with fat were bad.

I’m sorry I told you that dieting was the best way to get in shape.

I’m sorry I told you that going to a gym was the only way to exercise.

I’m sorry I told you that dairy foods were a great idea for bone health.

I’m sorry I told you that “fat burning” supplements were a good idea.

I’m sorry I told you that whey protein was equivalent to holy water.

I’m sorry I told you to eat 6 times per day, regardless of your hunger levels/eating preferences.

I’m sorry I told you that eating factory farmed meat was healthy.

I’m sorry I told you that fasted cardio was the only way to get lean.

I’m sorry I told you that carbs would make you fat.

I’m sorry I told you to take a “free day” with eating

I’m sorry I told you to replace sugar with artificial sweeteners.

I’m sorry I told you to count calories.

I’m sorry I told you to stop eating after 6pm.

I’m sorry I told you “a calorie is a calorie.”

I’m sorry I told you that beans are a perfect food.

I’m sorry I told you the pre-contest look of a bodybuilder is sustainable year round.

I’m sorry I told you to drink 8 cups of water each day, no matter what.

Most importantly, I’m sorry for any information I’m providing right now that doesn’t make any sense in 15 years.

Of course, learning new things can be exciting.  But it can also be frustrating.  Because acquiring new knowledge means giving up, or, at least altering previously held beliefs.  Trust me, as an educator it’s doubly frustrating to me.

Yet, although I can apologize when something I say has been proven incorrect by the future, I’ll never apologize for continuing to learn.  I’ll never apologize for reversing my position because I’ve grown and gained experience.  As Morgan Freeman, playing Nelson Mandela in the movie Invictus, said:  “If I cannot change when circumstances demand it, how can I expect others to?”

However, while some of the fitness industry is in perpetual flux, there’s a core set of habits that seems to serve as a bedrock.  These habits we can grasp onto.  Because they’ve been proven true over time.

Eat real food of high quality

Exercise often

Observe hunger/fullness cues

Eat a lot of plants

Get your rest

Surround yourself with healthy people

When in doubt, return to this list.  It won’t steer you wrong.

Ryan

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