nourish

Confessions of a Dietitian

April 6, 2017October 21, 2020

by Nicole Geurin, MPH, RD

It’s easy to make assumptions about me because I am a dietitian. You might think that I carefully manage my calorie intake and that I tell my clients to do the same. Let me set the record straight.

Part 1: Why I am actually thin.

Unlike many people mistakenly assume, I am not thin because my nutrition knowledge has enabled me to master the ‘perfect’ diet. (There is no ‘perfect’ diet, nor do I strive to achieve one.) I am also not thin because I enjoy playing tennis and being active. While I enjoy these lifestyle habits because they help me to feel well, they are not the reason that I am thin. (Nor are they are moral imperatives for others to adopt, regardless of size.)

January 12, 2017October 13, 2020

by Andrea LaMarre, MSc.

Over the past week I have been asked, more times than I can count: “What are you making such a big fuss about?” This question has come on the heels of a recent change in legislation in my home province of Ontario that has made it law for restaurants with over 20 locations to include calorie counts on their menus. These calorie counts are abstracted from all other nutritional information, and they must be as large as the price of the item.

In early December, I was approached by a number of others from within the eating disorder research, advocacy and prevention community who suggested that I start a petition to have this legislation repealed. Alarmed that the legislation was to come into effect, presumably without consultation from the eating disorders community, I did so. Just after Christmas, after approximately 400 people had signed the petition, I started to receive media requests – dozens of media requests. Suddenly I found myself with the interesting task of providing the kind of sound bite for an article that would make people at least pause for thought around this new item on the menu.

March 13, 2012November 18, 2020

by Fall Ferguson, JD, MA What do we mean by the “health” in the Health At Every Size® paradigm? Let me be clear: I do not think it’s necessary for… Read More »What do we mean by health?

The other white powder – sugar and food addiction

March 6, 2012October 21, 2020

by Jonathan Robison, PhD, MS Gary Taubes was at it again recently, responding to “The Fat Trap” by Tara Parker-Pope spouting the same old rhetoric about how carbohydrates are poison… Read More »The other white powder – sugar and food addiction

Can you tell anything at all by a person’s weight?

February 28, 2012October 21, 2020

by Deb Burgard, PhD If you have grown up in this culture, you probably associate quite a few things with fatness and quite a few of the opposite traits with… Read More »Can you tell anything at all by a person’s weight?

You gotta have heart!

February 21, 2012November 18, 2020

by Jeanette DePatie, ASDAH Vice President, in consultation with ASDAH member Sandy Dixon, RN, MS, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Manager Valentine’s Day has just passed us by and February is American Heart… Read More »You gotta have heart!

Journey to acceptance

February 14, 2012October 21, 2020

by Judith Matz, LCSW Remember me?” Beth asked following my presentation at a community-based hospital. “Of course I do!” I responded. Beth had been in my Diet Survivors group about… Read More »Journey to acceptance

A tale of two billboards

February 7, 2012November 18, 2020

by Jeanette DePatie, (the Fat Chick), MA, ACE Lately the Strong4Life campaign in Georgia has received a lot of publicity and a LOT of pushback. For those of you who… Read More »A tale of two billboards

The nocebo effect – belief and biology – part III

January 31, 2012October 21, 2020

by Jon Robison, Phd, MS Decades of research on the placebo effect support that people’s perceptions and expectations about their health can positively influence physiological parameters as well as the… Read More »The nocebo effect – belief and biology – part III

Weekend warrior syndrome and the national, annual B.S.

January 17, 2012October 21, 2020

by Jeanette DePatie (The Fat Chick), MA, ACE Ahh January. After the champagne flutes and the ball drop and the confetti, it’s time for the annual Big Shift. What is… Read More »Weekend warrior syndrome and the national, annual B.S.