Diet can be a Ball and Chain!

It's easy for both nutritionists and patients to get trapped by the dictates of a diet — whether Paleo, ketogenic, Intermittent Fasting, or something else.  While these various approaches have merit with some health conditions, it is also important to listen between the lines, to work with the nuances of a client's interests and motivation.

Here are a few things that both patients and providers should keep in mind as we consider the health journey together:

·     Viewing any diet as a "magic" pill, potion or plan to achieve health is an act of desperation.  Magical thinking is a mind trap.

·     Self-acceptance based upon the nature or outcome of a diet (and whether one follows it exactly) is NOT what self-acceptance is about.  Learning to understand one’s vulnerabilities, work with them with self-compassion, will lead to a healthier outcome

·     A diet is only a template for discussion about one's true health needs - both physical and emotional.