Ask anything health and nutrition related. I'll answer when I can :)
[AMA] I'm an Accredited Practicing Dietitian. Ask Me Anything
LScamwatcher on 01/05/2019 - 20:04
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not necessarily, some people are not even accredited and practice
I think you meant to ask… "Are you fat?"
Supplements… Yay or nay?
Eg. I know I don't eat enough dairy, do calcium supps work?(and eating more dairy is not a viable solution for me)
How about probiotics, some say the probiotics won't survive your digestive track to do any good… Your view?
All dietitians will focus on a 'food first' approach, meaning that getting all the nutrients you need from a well balanced diet is the best way to go.
However if you can't get sufficient calcium or healthy bacteria from your diet, then supplementation should be Plan B, not Plan A.
Regarding probiotics, I usually make sure the patient has been eating enough PREbiotics as well as PRObiotics.
Prebiotics are the compounds that will feed the bacteria in your gut and give them something to function, such as resistant starch.
I know I don't eat enough dairy
How much do you think is enough? You do know there are people, whole races in fact, that never touch the stuff yet live perfectly fine lives?
Calcium isn't just found in dairy though.
Some kinds of fish, nuts, dried fruit and even leafy greens are quite high in calcium.
The range is 500 - 1700 mg/day (Varies a lot depending on age, gender or if you're lactating)@fantombloo: Sure thing, people automatically assume calcium with dairy presumably due to lack of education that calcium is in fact found in the foods I mentioned.
Additionally during and after WWII, countries such as the USA and Australia were stockpiling milk and cheese for rations to troops, when the war ended there was a surplus of these foods and they were often used in milk programs in schools, as well as promoted to the public to help get rid of this surplus.
That's a lot of time to make a population only associate one food group with one nutrient.
How often should I service my mower?
Monthly when you're using it. (summer)
6 monthly when you're not. (winter)That seems onerous. I mow 2-3 times a month in summer, which takes 20-30 mins. So i should service it every hour of runtime?
Depends on how much work it's doing in that 20-30 minutes
If you don't like the answer you got, ask a different dietician.
buy a battery powered electrical mower.
no service needed and no waste fume
greener and healthier choice.
Is Pizza considered a healthy meal considering it has ingredients you'd find in a salad?
Pizza is a sometimes food.
If your salads contain a pizzas base worth of bread and oil, I'd suggest changing your salad recipe.
So, if I burn the exact calories I in take, I won't get fat, right?
And if right, does it really matter how I get those calories? pizza or broccoli?Also, my little one, 18months most definitely doesn't get enough Iron, all the recommendations from all government websites, and health visits recommend so much more food than he eats. It's all scary reading how a health kids needs this and that. Is it really that important? Anyone that sees him, sees a energetic, happy, cheeky and occasionally annoying little boy.
That's the IIFYM or If It Fits Your Macros approach and I have a few issues with it.
Calories or energy intake is very important, but it is not a measure of the health of your diet.
For example your recommendations for energy could be 8000 KJ per day, which could be achieved by a few 2L bottles of Coke, is that a complete diet? Absolutely not, you're missing out on many essential macro and micronutrients.
But as far as your energy intake is concerned, you're fine.
That is an unfortunately one dimensional approach to health, a healthy diet should contain a lot of variety and ideally be full of fresh foods that have minimal processing, added fats, sugars and salt.
By simply looking at the energy intake you're probably not focused on a healthy overall diet.
For example your recommendations for energy could be 8000 KJ per day, which could be achieved by a few 2L bottles of Coke, is that a complete diet? Absolutely not, you're missing out on many essential macro and micronutrients.
But that isn't a diet which fits macronutrients, it's one which fits food energy only.
I agree what they have described is not IIFYM at all. They even say you aren't getting the macro/micro nutrients. IIFYM is eat whatever you wan't as long as you hit your macro goals. You can have your snickers bar but then you have to cut fat/carbs out of your other meals for the day.
@knobbs: The problem with high energy junk foods is that you can blow through so much of your calorie budget that it becomes difficult to get sufficient nutrition with the remaining amount. (without over-eating)
@trapper: I agree with that trapper, but at the same then it would not fit your macros. So would no longer by IIFYM
@knobbs: Sure, but even if she does incorporate your point it wouldn't change hers. You can do IIFYM and eat zero vegetables, fruit or high fibre foods.
from all government websites
The websites setup to enrich the food processing industry by recommending that people live off mostly processed grain.
I assure you that allied health professionals aren't paid off by big wheat, MLA and big dairy.
We work hard to learn what is the best kind of evidence, and the recommendations of grain have actually decreased over time, if you recall the food pyramid was extremely carb heavy, while the current Australian Guide to Healthy Eating promotes grainy carbs in moderation.
Carbs are an important food group, but when they are eaten they should be as processed as little as possible and contain high amounts of fibre.Is breakfast the most important meal of the day?
You can get your calories however you want. How you look in the mirror at the end will determine if you want to continue that path.
I can get 3500+ Calories from donuts or i can get them from Good Protein, Carbs and Fats. I will look better not eating the donuts.
Is it ok to be on two diets?
There's not enough food when I'm on one diet
Depends on what those two diets are.
Eating for two people.
I think we're confusing two diets with being pregnant.
What kinda info does one need, if I am serious about addressing eating issues would a fortnight diary of food and general snapshot of life be helpful to give to my local dietitian?
I struggle with that I don't eat all day , smash the caffeine and then eat 90% of my calories between 8pm-11pm, rinse and repeat.
Any ideas?Many people restrict their eating to set hours so that they fast for most of the day.
Their life doesn't come crashing down around them provided they're eating an not starving the rest of the time.
Many Australian's never experience even minor hunger.
I struggle with that I don't eat all day , smash the caffeine and then eat 90% of my calories between 8pm-11pm, rinse and repeat.
Any ideas?Obviously this is far from optimal, but you haven't explained why you do it nor if you are experiencing any adverse health effects.
How are your sleep at night and your digestion?
Any resources/clinical guidelines you'd recommend for health professionals?
The most important one being The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, and NEMO do some great clinical guidelines too.
Are you WFPB?
Nope, I eat meat, dairy and eggs.
Not sure why the down-votes, You asked and I answered what I eat.
Does sex just as important as eating healthy? If so - can you convince my gf
I'll convince her. PM me her number ;)
Swap
Eating healthy is important to sex.
Eat pineapples.Is that what you’re supposed to do with the pineapples?
I’ve been doing it wrong all these years.
Sex, food and TV for the trifecta.
I'd love to hear your take on low carb diets…
NO carb diets are great if you want to lose water weight, feel tired and angry all the time.
Responsibly reducing carbohydrates is a good option if you're looking to lose weight, but I wouldn't use it on its own.
I would definitely look at what the person was eating overallNO carb diets are great if you want to lose water weight, feel tired and angry all the time.
Sauce?Source?
Facebook users. 😂
20kg down (95->75), more energy, feel great and bloods perfect for first time in 10 years on Keto…I dont agree..
There is a Parliamentary Committee that doesn't agree with dietitians too:
The Food Fix: The role of diet in type 2 diabetes prevention and management
@alan smithee: I was classed as pre diabetic, heading to Class 2 and my Triglycerides were between 3-3.5 for past 5 years…..first 4mths of Keto my Tri went to 1.2 and my glucose went back into band. The Dr's reaction was 'thats impressive!'…what medication couldnt do in that period I purely fixed with Diet….we chat for 10min about Keto everytime I go in. He in no ways discourages me from it. In fact we learn a bit more each chat…have really enjoyed the journey and to be frank it has changed my life… have never been one of those tin foil hat wearing conspiracy theorist but the more I read about the sugar vs fat debate and the way the 'food pyramid' was drawn up….there is something not right…
I'm curious to give Keto a go, but a few friends on it say it's an all or nothing decision and frankly I just enjoy food too much to give up carbs entirely. There are times I want to try something new/interesting without worrying about what's in it, especially on travels. Do you ever stray on one or two meals a month?
@chriise: It is all or nothing thats for sure. I dont (intentionally) stray. I travel both domestically and internationally alot and whilst it can sometimes be a pain it can mostly be accommodated. It gets easier the more you understand the foods you can and cant have, and also how to modify the normal dishes a little. I dont count macros…just in my head I know how many carbs I have to stay under 25g…I can also tell when I am in Ketosis so overall its not too bad. I will say that socially it can be a pain. I am looking to go intermittent in a few months once I hit my target…plus increase my excerise.
Agreed. 94 down to 76 in 4/5 months, never hungry. No loss of muscle mass.
Back on the carbs for 2 weeks I was hungry quickly after meals.
No loss of energy levels after becoming keto adapted.
Weird sweating and lethargy in first week was only downside.
NO carb diets are great if you want to lose water weight, feel tired and angry all the time.
For the first week, then you drop the wait like crazy and feel great.
Ever tried it? Not many reports of being tired and angry once keto adapted. In fact, many mention more sustained energy levels without the crash involved in high carb meals, and more stable moods… Perhaps related to something about insulin spikes and cortisol.
I'm not a biochemist. Hence why I would like you to clarify these points, and your stance.
If you are not into performance, YES KETO does work. But it's a lot harder than you think just eating a heap of fat and some protein. Also depends on how you respond to a reefed, some people can get into KETOSIS in a couple of days, others take 2 weeks.
I loved the feeling of running on ketones. no hunger pangs, no energy high. I pretty much no longer care about food.
I ate because I knew I had to, not because I felt hungry.
And I have an excuse to not go out to socialise.The biggest problem for me was high intensity exercises. I struggled. However when I finished, i dont get the "omg I am so hungry now" feeling.
I feel that it is easier for me to get into ketosis now that I have been in an out over the last few months. I think the body gets used to running on ketones. purely anecdotal.
I’m into performance for cycling and Keto is AMAZING.
First 3 months were miserable. Every time I hopped on the bike and started to pedal it was like I’d already hit the wall. Then performance slowly increased and waaay surpassed where I was pre-keto. My body has now adapted to fat burning.
I can mix it with my mates who are training a lot more than means still win all the sprints like I used to. I can ride >100kms, fasted with no food and it’s no problem. It’s irritating my mates how much less training I do and how I’m now smashing them.
I 100% believe that keto works and is not a fad. It definitely works but is not sustainable. After strict keto is over , you cant just go back to eating processed crap.
Started keto from 97kg… took 3 weeks to start ketosis… went down to 79…. maintained that withput much struggle..
Stopped keto and went back to 84-85..now over a year with normal life still 84-85.
So i would say not a bad decision to try.One benefit of going keto is that you recognise what your body reacts to gain weight faster. I found it to be potatoes (in any form) for me.
yep same for me, bread was my problem. I eat mountain bread now at home instead of regular sliced bread. Apart from the bread and stopping the occasional fast food, I eat whatever I want and I have managed to keep the weight off. Also Without any exercise
@PAOK11: Absolutely. That's the beauty of keto. It just makes you aware of what you are doing wrong.
Well done mate.
What is a healthy alternative to crisps?
Roasted chickpeas or favabeans, check the health food section at woolies or coles.
They're bloody delicious too.cheers
Do you work in the private or public sector?
Both.
Are there no consequences to a high sodium diet if you drink extra water to flush it out?
There absolutely are, your body doesn't excrete sodium as fast as say…a large amount of water.
That sodium is going to stay around and cause problems if you're at high risk of hypertension.
A high sodium diet is only really safe for elite athletes who sweat A LOT.
Not people who pee a lot.I'm no athlete but I sweet a lot, and drink lots of water.
Hoping kidney stones from Greek level salt intake is not in my future.
I heard having dinner late would increase weight.
If you agree, what is the best optimum time for dinner allowing optimum digestion and stuff?
Cheers
Zz
PS: Thanks for doing AMA.
No problems!
Eating dinner/eating late at night isn't going to cause weight gain on it's own.
Eating rubbish food (high sugar, added fat and salt) any time can cause weight gain.
But there is no specific good or bad times to eat to reduce risk of weight gain.
Additional vitamins, as in pill form, are they needed ,if so,
what do you recommend?See my earlier answer about vitamins.
Basically you should only take individual vitamins under the direction of a GP or Dietitian and have actual proof that you need them/
or are low in some way (like a blood test).
How long have you been working as an APD?
Are you able to recount your best patient success story?
1) Around 3 years
2) Some of my best cases are around cholesterol and gut health, some people have terrible issues with their gut related to years of antibiotics that sometimes can kill off healthy bacteria.
Getting them regular is very satisfying.
Otherwise I love helping people lower their risk of the big killers, such as colon cancer, diabetes or heart diseaseThanks for the quick response.
wow that sounds great! i've been trying to fix my gut for years :(
Hi so what sort of foods will have then best impact on bringing down high ldl cholesterol levels?
how do i convince someone to stop being vegan?
when i eat meat, they mention they miss eating chicken and salami and bacon.how do i convince someone to stop being vegan?
Giving them a lobotomy might help. Or hypnotise them and make them feel like a lion, or baby calf, or like they're living in the stone age.
How about just a steak, a smile and a pleasant demeanor?
A hacked off chunk of flesh from a tortured animal, plus a
smile and a pleasant demeanor?
All the traits of Dr Hannibal Lector.
@Scrooge McDuck: Sure, if you want. Anyone deranged enough to drink another mum's milk in his adulthood is deranged enough to do the other things he did.
@fantombloo: Number of people who drink milk today: Billions
Number of genocidal leaders responsible for killing millions of people: 0
not fake meats, please im sick of hearing about them, they have zero nutritional value when compared to their real counterparts
lol - Agreed although some vegan friends swear by them
"I'm an Accredited Practicing Dietitian"
I read "im practicing diet"
What is your weight?