My Story
As a nutrition major, I see a lot of dumb things (so many, in fact, I refer to my colleagues as The League of Morons). But it’s not just the discussion of high school freshmen-level fodder in my 4000 level classes that get to me—no, mostly it’s the blatant refutation of anything that isn’t stated verbatim in the ADA handbook. Think Boyscouts of America versus the new kid in town. Bible thumpers up against this girl. Any way you slice, it’s a fight to the finish…only no one knows what they're really fighting for.
Real life example/case in point: low-carb diets. When Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution hit bookstore shelves in 2002, it created a dichotomous sensation—some were thrilled (“OH MY GOD STEAK FOR EVERY MEAL!!1!!!”) while others were chilled to the bone…or in some cases, their very heart. How does this apply to me? Well, over time, I began to notice that when I ate pasta, rice or bread during lunch, I’d feel pretty wonky afterward—like my body was trying to play "catch up." Sometimes I'd feel legitimately sick. However, when I stuck to mid-day meals that were little more than salad and meat (ones with little to no carbohydrates), I thrived. While I’ve since theorized it's because my pancreas enjoys not having to release a ton of insulin three times a day, the main reason I hammer down a head of lettuce and what amounts to half a steer is because it makes me feel good. But science doesn’t care about that, does it?
…I was once told by a very reasonable nutrition professor (who shall remain nameless) that the only thing we know for sure in the field of nutrition is that the principles of moderation, variety and balance work. If that's the case, what's holding us back? I thought science was supposed to be, you know, experimental in nature; I was under the impression nutrition's main focus was making people feel good instead of adhering to dogma.
Am I being unfaithful to the LOM I hope to join some day by eating a "balanced meal" only twice a day? Is there such thing as a reasonable approach to popularly termed "unreasonable methods"? Who knows--but in any case, I’ll be riding the fence for as long as it takes. Or until I have a heart attack.
Concepts and Issues Present
*Reductionism: Dietetians' viewpoints have been whittled down to so few that they're unwilling to accept (or even try to accept) new ones.
*Psychology: I've always perceived myself as an independent thinker--the very epitome of "the lone rebel." Perhaps these good feelings I experience after eating my steak 'n' salad lunch comes from knowing I've done something different than everyone else.
*Technologies/Instruments: "Oh, why is Atkins' bad for you? Well, you wouldn't understand--and I don't have time to explain the epidemiological studies to you--so just trust us...m'kay?" With this kind of 'Members Only' mentality geared toward an unknowing (but desperate) public, is it any wonder Men's and Women's Health are able to get away with garbage?
*Idealology: Put this on the side of every cereal box for the 20 years, and most people will refute any argument that doesn't line up with it.
Your post brings up some very interesting thoughts about the world of dieting and nutrition science that have always interested me as well, but I don't know if I agree with your viewpoint that people just accept the idea that "moderation, balance and variety" work. It seems like the focus on celebrity culture nowadays fuels a constant scramble amongst dietitian profiteers and questionable "physicians" to create weight loss products or design weight loss plans, ranging from reasonable to absolutely ridiculous, and I unfortunately have to admit to have trying some of the more ridiculous ones. I have complete faith that somewhere a doctor or researcher is working their ass off to figure out a way to make people lose weight even if they are consuming all the Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's their heart desires/can sustain up until artery blockage.
ReplyDeleteWhile I cannot exactly relate to your frustration in response to your classmates limited ability to think outside of the "ADA handbook" I think that you should be assured that other ideas are being tried and experimented with, they just aren't all brilliant ideas to begin with. It is probably true that there are certain foods humans are supposed to eat more than others (I recently read in the book "Skinny Bitch" (yes, pathetic, I know) that humans are the only species of animal that consume another animal species milk. This is obvious, as we drink cows milk, but really quite disgusting when I thought about it for awhile. The book continued to list a million reasons why we shouldn't consume dairy and how what we eat is killing us, but all these assertions are so rash and only supported by certain evidence. My grandpa is 92, lives on his own, grew up on a dairy farm and still only drinks 2% milk ("none of that skim bullshit!") So dairy must not be THAT bad for us, or at least, doesn't kill us by the time we are 40. Questioning of facts about nutrition is so important so we don't fall fool for the latest diet fads.
I really love the links you added to this post, it brings all sorts of interesting knowledge to the table and really enhances the reading experience of your blog. Also I am a big fan of the fact that you watch Parks and Rec, Ron Swanson is probably my television hero right now.
"I was under the impression nutrition's main focus was making people feel good instead of adhering to dogma."
ReplyDeleteAmen.
I like this sentence, a lot. I think it puts some of the cards out on the table. First off, what makes people feel good? This is one of the questions that this class revolves around I think. "Aptomenophilia" for instance. The dietary fads are quite subjective. I believe a lot of what makes people feel good about what they're eating is if Opera endorses it (or any other televangelist).
Personally I used to go with my dad to Burger King and get quadruple bacon cheese burgers and I felt great afterwards. It was proving some kind of manhood with my father. A year later I was diagnosed with gastritis (early stages of ulcers in my stomach). My body has always gotten sick from food but especially since my father doesn't believe in illness, I thought I was just fine until I had throwing up fits after every cross country running race and a doctor stuck a tube down my esophagus.
Another well done post JAC.
First, I have to say that I really enjoy reading your posts. The embedded links add even more to the already insightful content. I can relate to the sentiments that you expressed in your post. I am not a nutrition major; however I am a kinesiology major and I have a great interest in nutrition. I work as a Personal Trainer and I am constantly amazed by the falacies related to exercise and nutrition that so many individuals adhere to as if they were religion or something.
ReplyDeleteFor example, an individual may think that it is certain that if he/she cuts 500 calories/day that he/she will lose 1lb/week. This “truth” fails to take into consideration the utter complexity of the body. I believe that weight gain/loss is influenced by a wide variety of factors (including genetics, epigenetic factors, hormone fluctuations, intestinal health/gut microbiota, autoimmune/inflammatory reactions to particular foods, and exposure to toxins just to name a few) and that it cannot be whittled down to a simple “calories in, calories out” equation. Human beings are not bomb calorimeters.
I also tend to be a bit of a skeptic and believe that many of the “official” dietary recommendations that we receive are routed in commodities that are subsidized by the government and, thus, highly profitable for the large corporations that produce them (corn and soy subsidies, anyone?).
Anyway, I could rant on these topics for pages upon pages. Just wanted to express that it is comforting to read a post by a nutrition major that expresses sentiments similar to my own.
THis 'how does it feel?' seems so important. I know I've re-programmed my body (and feelings). And I can't get my N.Dakota farmer best friend to go anywhere near a vegetable--and he knows better and has a PhD. More on this with Mr. Pollan.
ReplyDelete