One of the most interesting things about being a student of nutrition in an academic setting is learning to distinguish between valuable information related to nutrition, and not-so-valuable advice provided by the media and diet industry. In our society, we are constantly bombarded with new miracle diets and this has been going on ever since news could travel. In high school, I remember I attempted to go on the Atkin's Diet. I was hooked on the promise of rapid weight loss (I wanted to lose 10 lbs, fast!), even though the thought of eating unlimited servings of meat every day was not my cup of tea. I lasted about 3 days on that diet, and afterwards I became a strict vegan, possibly because I felt so disgusted with the way I was eating, or possibly because I love animals. I, like many people, fall prey to media hype about diets and health. Nowadays, it's more than experts touting advice on TV and in books. On social media, it's easy to believe friends (and strangers) claiming success as a result of their diet plan, but one should always question how sustainable and healthy it is in the long run. Many fail to realize that not being educated about nutrition, as well as misunderstanding what your body actually needs to function, can lead to detrimental health effects.
Trying every new diet that pops up can quickly lead to feelings of failure when it becomes difficult to follow or not working in your benefit. Consulting a Registered Dietitian is a great way to figure out what YOUR body actually needs depending on your health status/concerns, age, activity level, weight, and any food intolerances/allergies you may have.
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