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