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