Diet Doesn’t Have to Be a Four-Letter Word
The word “diet” can feel so loaded. It has multiple definitions, the first being simply the foods a person usually consumes. However, for most of us, the word diet can be negative - something restrictive, punishing, and of limited duration (because you just can’t do it another day!). As a nutritionist I often use diet in context of the first definition, the foods you eat habitually, but many clients come in thinking about diet framed by the second meaning.
I do think there are different kinds of diets, and I am not referring to keto, the cabbage soup diet, or raw foods. Instead I like to look at diets as therapeutic, experimental, or habitual. The Institute for the Psychology of Eating has described a similar breakdown.
therapeutic Diet
Therapeutic diets are used as part of a treatment for a medical condition. It could require increasing or decreasing certain foods or nutrients, changing the consistency of food, or using a different pattern of eating. For example, following oral surgery you may be required to consume soft, liquid, or pureed foods until your mouth heals. Or if you have iron deficient anemia you may focus on increasing your intake of iron rich foods. For sodium sensitive individuals with high blood pressure a therapeutic diet could be one that reduces in the intake of salt. Therapeutic diets could be used for a limited amount of time or it could become a part of a habitual diet.
experimental Diet
An experimental diet is something that is done for a limited amount of time in an effort to learn or gain information. One example, is a low FODMAP diet for those with IBS. The idea is to remove several foods that could be problematic for a period of time followed by a systematic reintroduction. Again, like therapeutic diets, this information can be used to inform the habitual diet.
It might sound simple but restricting or eliminating foods comes with risks like disordered eating or nutrient deficiencies. They are not appropriate for those with a history of disordered eating or eating disorders. Adjusting dietary patterns can be helpful but should not be undertaken if there is a risk to mental, emotional, or physical health.
Habitual Diet
A habitual diet, sometimes referred to as a maintenance diet, is how you eat the majority of the time. All of us have a habitual diet and this diet can change over time. It can evolve as you try new foods that you decide to eat more regularly or stop eating foods you no longer care for. It can also change based on what you learn during an experimental diet or based on needs as outlined in a therapeutic diet.
Habitual diets can also change based on food availability and the seasons. It is natural to want to eat more fruits and raw vegetables in the summer when they are plentiful and the weather is warm but turn to things like soups and roasted vegetables in the cooler months of the year.
My goal for clients is to find a habitual diet that supports their overall wellbeing. The exact make up of this diet varies from person to person. Listening to (and trusting!) your own body cues rather than trying to follow a set of external diet rules is vital to the process.
The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be medical advice or to diagnosis, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This information does not replace a one-on-one relationship with a physician or healthcare professional. Dietary changes and/or the taking of nutritional supplements may have differing effects on individuals.
To learn more about how working with a nutritionist could help you, schedule a free 15-minute call.