I Believe in Nutritionists, But I Don’t Believe in Nutritionist-Prescribed Diets

Here’s why I don’t and what I believe in instead.

Superfoods. Image by Silvia (silviarita) on Pixabay

I was at my gynecologist’s the other day, having a conversation that included comments on how I should lose some weight. Not a whole lot at once, she said. See a nutritionist and try to lose ten kilos (22 pounds) in a year.

That’s all fine and dandy, but I don’t believe in nutritionist-prescribed diets. I didn’t say that, though, because my doctor keeps berating me for being too much of an “autodidact.” Which I suppose I am when it comes to nutrition, but then I do have a science background — a BSc and an MSc in sociology — that allows me to better sift fact from fiction and analyze studies involving experiments and statistical data.

Here’s what I would have said if she’d left room for it in the conversation. Two dear friends of mine are struggling with their weight because of diets that have been on. Diets that were recommended and, in one case, supposedly personalized by nutritionists.

Personally, aside from intermittent fasting now and then, I’ve only been on one diet, the Montignac diet, for a few months, and while I’ve also gained weight, my body responds well to eating healthier and exercising by losing weight. If I am still a little overweight…