Diet vs Nutrition, What’s the Difference

Diet industry will have you measuring, restricting, tracking and counting. A diet will make you think you have to loose weight, in order to become healthy. Weight loss on its own is a false sense of health. Where as, if we approach the body from a Nutrition/Nourishment standpoint, shifting the focus to healthy outcomes first, be it inflammation reduction, metabolic health, hormone health, better sleep, balanced mood, better stress management, lower blood pressure, lower glucose/insulin levels, better cognition, improved digestive health, improved elimination & detoxification, and improved neurological health, then the result of better health, will automatically equate to a reduction in weight.

The human body is not a math equation that can be manipulated. It is not a matter of calories in vs calories out. This model works only temporarily. Long term, this approach can lead to metabolic disfunction and shut down. Think about the tv show “The Biggest Loser”. Ever wonder why they haven’t hosted a “Where are They Now” episode?. The majority of contestants have gained back the weight that they have lost, and then some. This can also be said for those who have followed along and participated in other popular “diet” trends, such as Dr. Bernstein, Ozempic, or Weigh Watcher’s. Calories do matter, but it is more about their quality, how we absorb them, how we utilize them and how they “Nourish” the body, rather than their quantity. When utilizing food for its true capabilties, Nourishment & Medicine then we don’t have to count calories, or step on a scale. We don’t have to restrict. We put health first, over calories and we remove interferences that interrupts metabolic function. When we do this the body is then able to shift into it’s innate healing processes, for “Your Body’s Ability to Heal is Greater Than Anyone has Permitted you to Believe”.

Additionally, a “Diet” approach will have you thinking an “all or nothing approach” is neccessary to succeed. That you must “go big, or go home”. This type of “perfectionist” approach can lead to increased stress, as well as feed into dysfunctional and unhealthy/addictive behaviours, ultimately, leading to failure. This type of approach is counter-intuitive to the long term goals you are wanting to achieve. This type of approach doesn’t have your physical & mental health, and longevity at the forefront. It is also important to consider that weight gain is a symptom, a “check engine light” if you will, to notify you that something metabolically has gone awry. To focus on loosing weight alone, is only masking a symptom, but not addressing the root cause.

When we approach health from a vantage point of “ Nourishment” we can guide the body and “Nuture” it into a state of natural/optimal healing. It’s important to meet yourself, where you are at. Keep expectations of your capabilities and progress realistic. For example, if you’re not a very active person, then don’t set a goal to start out by running 5 km. Instead aim for 100 steps after each meal and then build up to a 20 minute walk once a day, then twice a day, and so on and so forth. If you’re trying to manage hormones and insulin through fasting don’t start with a 15 hour fast. Instead add in more protein and essential fatty acids to your meals in order to make carbohydrate reduction more attainable. From there, try to refrain from snacking in between meals, making the next step being no meals three hours before bed, gradually moving on to a 8 to 10 hour fast (during hours of sleep), and then into a 14 hour (recommended for most women) or a 15 to 18 hour fast (recommended for most men). Apply positive stresses to the body as it can tolerate and adjust to them. Too much all at once will create more resistance, more inflammation, and more discomfort, along with more stress, and thus more failure, equating to more disease. We need to keep in mind that the body is always striving to maintain homeostatsis, meaning harmony. This is something extreme “Diet” trends negate to consider. If you allow the pendulum to swing too far in either extreme, of poor health or unrealistic, too big, too soon, goals of good health, you may end up creating more dis-ease for the body.

Making “Nutritional” altercations can be challenging, but it doesn’t need to be overly complicated. A “baby steps” approach makes it manageable and over time, these small altercations lead to compound change.

If you’re struggling on how to get started, and wanting to address the “root cause” to your symptoms of dis-ease, then it is helpful to work with a skilled professional. Consider working with a Registered Holistic Nutritionist to help you attain your health goals.

Alyssa Doherty RMT, RHN & CGP

What I Learned Upon Entering the Realm of Holistic Nutrition

As mentioned in my previous blog, what I had known about nutrition, prior to embarking upon my education at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, was a speck of sand, compared to what I was about to learn. Moreover, most of my previous knowledge was inaccurate, and based off of “Diet” industry and the “Canadian Food Guide” standards. I was lead to believe both were created for our health and well being, but have since learned otherwise.

What I discovered was that our mainstream understanding of nutritional science is an absolute dumpster fire. Few topics have been more misunderstood, misrepresented, misinterpreted and flat out lied about than nutritional science.

“Diet” mentality will have you counting and resirticting calories, and following fads, while the “Food Pyramid” or “Standard American Diet” will have you over-consuming one macro nutrient, specifically carbohydrates, while severely under-consuming other’s, being Essential Fatty Acids & Essential Amino Acids. Both directive’s are entrenched in false narratives, based on commodities, quota’s and financial gains, that are set by special interest groups. In short, neither of these two directives have the public’s health and well being at the forefront. Nor do they possess the fundamental know how on the utilization of food as medicine, when it comes to disease prevention or disease reversal. Neither take into consideration one’s “bio chemical individuality”. Meaning, what might be good for some, may not be good for all. Both “Diet” philosophy along with “Food Guide” recommendations are generalized, not individualized.

Each of us have our very own unique chemistry. Some of which is based on genetics, ancestral heritage, geographic location, environment, race and epigenetic’s. We all have unique nutritional needs and requirements. Factor’s that need to be taken into consideration include one’s development, stage in life, stress level, medication intake, preexisting dis-ease and malnourishment, along lifestyle practices.

One might have adequate amounts of digestive enzymes to assist in the breakdown and absorption of certain nutrients, while another may be lacking. Some may do just fine with raw vegetables, while others, like those who have Chron’s, IBS, Colitis and Hypothyroidism may have an inflammatory response to consuming certain raw veggie’s.

We have all been told that whole grains are good for us, but if a “leaky gut”, “celiac disease” , “lectin resistance” or “insulin resistance” is your malfunction, then these foods may be constributing to your dis-ease, rather than correcting it.

For ethical reasons, one may be consuming a plant base “cleansing” diet, but their nervous system may require more “feeding”, nourishing foods in order to feel calm, satiated and safe.

One may be practicing intermittent fasting, because it’s trendy to do so, while unknowingly creating more stress hormone as a result, which can elicit an autoimmune response.

Basically, what we are being instructed to eat, from “Diet” industry and “Food Guide” recommendations, may not be suitable, and in some cases even detrimental to one’s individual, biochemical needs. This is the knowledge I have gained by pursuing a diploma in Registered Holistic Nutrition. Not only that, I learned how to recognize these conditions, along with many other’s, and I learned how to CORRECT for them.

I discovered that our medical doctor’s, nurse’s and specialist’s, those who we tend to navigate to for guidance in Nutrition, receive a mere 12 hours of education on the topic. All this can become further complicated by the magnitude of access to so called “health & wellness influencer’s” on social media. It can all be downright confusing and overwhelming, and further contribute to stress hormone production, which can be counter productive to one’s goals in achieving and maintaining “optimal health”.

Your body is a miraculous creation, resilient & intelligent, and capable of HEALING, when provided with the right NOURISHment & care.

The role of a Registered Holistic Nutritionist is to get to the “root” cause of malfunction and dise-ease, and to filter through the complicated, and sometimes contradicting information in the nutrition space, in order to provide you with the correct nourishment for your bio-chemical individuality and your specific health care needs.

An RHN is here to guide you, support you and educate you on “functional” nutritional requirements to help you not only survive, but to thrive, in your pursuit of “optimal” health. For further assistance please contact me to discuss how working with an RHN may help you achieve your health goals.

I want to “thank you” for taking the time to read my blog post. I also want to “thank you” for trusting in me and my education & expertise in guiding you along, in your pursuit in “optimal” health.

Always Appreciated

Alyssa Doherty RMT, RHN & CGP

Why I Became a Registered Holistic Nutritionist

I love being a Registered Massage Therapist, and I have been since 2004. It is an extremely gratifying occupation to have. It is rare to have a patient be upset with me at the end of their treatment. However, after 20 years, and maybe even a bit before this timeline, I realized massage is only one of the many modalities & components that facilitate in achieving “optimal’ health. Massage treatment can be limited, and its intended outcomes can be temporary. I was beginning to understand why the “burnout” rate for RMT’s was so high. The job was physically demanding on the therapist, the demand and need for the occupation was high, and the intended outcomes were limited. I wanted to be able to offer my patient’s more, something that could last longer than a few weeks. I wanted to gift them the tools and the “know how” to make better decisions about their health. I wanted their decisions to lead to greater and longer lasting impact on their health. I wanted to help empower them, and let them know that their health outcomes are their responsibility and they can feel as good as they want to feel, by applying nutritional tools and knowledge that would help them achieve their health goals.

Hippocrates was noted for saying “Let food be they medicine and medicine be thy food”, and Thomas Edison, stated “The Doctor’s of the feature will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with NUTRITION” This got me thinking, If the disease process is often associated with, or caused by our dietary choices, and EVERY day, on an average of 3 times per day, we choose what we eat, then what we choose, could be the best approach to prevent or reverse dis- ease. It then made sense for me to look into studying NUTRITION, so that I may educate my patient’s on how to make healthy food choices that could assist in disease prevention and maybe even dis-ease reversal, and to help them achieve optimal health outcome's. We all need nourishment to survive, and that nourishment comes from the foods we eat. We all need to eat!

Often, we think of food and nutrition from the standpoint of the “diet” mentality. Meaning, we focus on calories, and count calories taken in, verses calories worked out. Or we think of food as just providing us with energy to feul our day. Food and what we choose to eat is much more than that. Food is nourishment, food is NUTRITION. It is messaging that impacts our thoughts, moods, feelings & behaviours. Nutrient’s act as neurotransmitter’s creating signals (communication) across a neuro synapse from one cell to another.

Nutrition influences physiological sequences and outcomes in the body that affect our heart rate, circulation, blood pressure, digestion, detoxification, and hormone synthesis. Nourishment is restoration & repair, as well as the building blocks for muscle, bone, joints, tendons & ligaments.

Making good nutritional choices can reduce/prevent inflammation, eliminate metabolic disease, as well as prevent & eliminate autoimmune disease, some allergies, food intolerance, & sensitivities and most chronic illnesses. Studying Nutrition seemed monumental and foundational in being able to provide and care for my patient’s in more ways than just through massage. So I enrolled in the Registered Holistic Nutrition program, at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.

Little did I know, that what I was about to embark upon was going to blow my mind wide open. What I thought I had known about Nutrition was a speck of sand, compared to what I was about to be introduced to. Just as suspected “Food truly is medicine” and I was about to learn how to utilize it as such….. More on this in my next blog. Please stay tuned for future informative & insightful blog’s, to be posted to the website on a monthly basis.

Always Appreciated

Alyssa Doherty RMT, RHN & CGP