🍎FIELD GUIDE 25: The anti-diet approach

Dorothy came to me via recommendation on the topic of nutritional sciences. I was immediately flooded with memories of playing basketball with her when we were kids.

Today, I’m thankful for her wisdom! I hope you’ll leave FIELD GUIDE today with a little more than what you came with.

Name

Dorothy Dupree

Habitat

Savannah GA

Occupation

Registered Dietician Nutritionist

Soundtrack

I graduated from the University of Georgia with a Masters of Science in Foods and Nutrition and completed my dietetic internship through UGA as well.

I am now a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and am currently working in the field of school nutrition.

Nutrition is everywhere though-- I often find myself in casual conversations with people and end up doing mini nutrition counseling all the time on the side! From a science perspective, nutrition science itself is a newer field. There is always new and emerging research in the area so staying informed as a professional (regardless of what speciality I'm in) is critical to ensure I am sharing evidence-based information.

I did not know what a dietitian was until after I dropped out of college. That's a funny story on its own.

I initially attended Georgia Tech and left two months in. Little did I know, I was already practicing mindfulness and had strong intuitions that Tech was not my place. Once I left, I really did a deep dive into majors and found Dietetics through UGA. I would say it found me! It was rich in science (which I love), but also ensured there would be opportunities for interacting with people in a meaningful way (nutrition education and counseling, for example).

The most challenging part about working in the field of nutrition is conveying that there is not a one size fits all solution for every person (especially when it comes to weight). Many people still have a "quick fix" mentality and these options are never sustainable over the long term.

I spend a lot of time in thought around the anti-diet space and practice of intuitive eating. Reframing nutrition education to hone in on these ideas is where I am at right now and what keeps me going. I strive to convince more people that health is not inherently tied to weight and that diets as we know them are not sustainable.

As a culture we are fixated on weight as an indicator of health and if your weight is not what you perceive as appropriate, the default answer is time to go on a diet. I wholeheartedly reject that notion and prefer to introduce people to the concept of intuitive eating so they can develop a positive relationship with food.

Nutrition plays a key role in one's relationship with food. We all have unique individual nutritional needs and it is very much an introspective process to determine what works best for your body. Dietitians can help guide and support, but the work really has to be done by the individual because I'm not in your body! :)

I don't make rigid nutritional recommendations. Rather, I provide a very general overview for proper nourishment. Fruits and vegetables provide color and are the nutritional powerhouses that prevent chronic disease. The more fruits and veggies in your eating pattern the better! Whole grains (oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, etc.) also are great to include. A variety of protein sources ensures you are mixing up your eating pattern and aren't getting tired of the same thing.

Gentle nutrition is the 10th and last principle of intuitive eating (and yes this application looks different for everyone!). For me personally, gentle nutrition is focusing on inclusion of lots of fruits and vegetables in my eating pattern most days of the week, but also being okay with a day of eating out and having no fruits and vegetables that day.

Yes, this happens!

In the book Intuitive Eating, gentle nutrition is described as,  “Make food choices that honor your health and taste buds while making you feel well. Remember that you do not have to eat perfectly to be healthy. You will not suddenly get a nutrient deficiency or gain weight from one snack, one meal, or one day of eating. It's what you eat consistently over time that matters – progress not perfection is what counts.”

This resonates strongly for me and I try to spread this message.

It’s worth noting that for individuals that may have disordered eating habits or an eating disorder, gentle nutrition may not be the first place to start. The first couple of principles of intuitive eating are the better starting place. The foundations of intuitive eating is making peace with food and rejecting diet mentality. I mentioned the relationship with food and nutrition being a component of that... this relationship also includes other components like culture, socialization, pleasure, and enjoyment.

Eating is an EXPERIENCE!

Dietitians by nature tend to be foodies. I want people to enjoy the experience of eating and practicing intuitive eating can help individuals find joy in the experience.

Learn more

@Nutritionstripped and Caroline Green are two socials Dorothy recommends giving a follow.

Both are great dietitian follows for encouraging posts that encourage mindfulness around food!

FIELD GUIDE is taking a break for the month of August. I’ll be back with fresh topics, more insightful humans, and more inspiration in September. If you or anyone you know wants to join me, send them my way!

For the next three weeks, I hope you’ll enjoy the words of Jess Lea-Wilson of Small island, big city.

See you next month!

-Skyler