Beware, the dietitian has entered the room.
(you've got nothing to worry about, promise!)
“I want to eat just like you! What’d you grab?”
“Oh no, I don’t usually eat like this all the time, I actually had a salad for lunch!”
“Hide the pizza, here comes the dietitian!”
“I’m gonna have to go visit you after this one…make me a good meal plan now, will ya?”
I get these types of comments at every single work function; whenever we have a birthday celebration, whenever we order pizza on Fridays, whenever we bring in our cultural foods to share with co-workers, there’s always one or more comments about how I, the dietitian, have entered the room. People get tense, they start defending and explaining their food choices without me asking them to, they take a peak at what’s on my plate, they feel judged (I guess).
When I began studying to become a Registered Dietitian (RD), I did so to learn about how to live a healthy lifestyle, and to use my voice to help others in one way or another. I never intended to try to learn the amount of calories in each food, promote restriction, or try to find the “perfect” model for nutrition. That is an assumption that comes with the title of RD, I guess.
It’s as if with my diploma and license, I got a Food Police badge. People think I’m here to judge their every move, count the calories on their plate in my head, and look at them up-and-down in disbelief.
The truth is, whatever you choose to eat, or not to eat, has nothing to do with me. Most of the time that Food Police, is actually in your head. Have you noticed how you compensate during the week only to “cheat” on weekends? Have you tried cutting out food groups such as carbs to fit into a certain dress? Or skipped the cake at your work birthday celebration because you knew you were going to have some later with your friends and family? Eat the cake, I could care less, but why do you care so much?
So, this is me, taking off the Food Police badge that someone handed to me without my consent, and letting you explore your own Food Police. Where did these rules and compensatory behaviors come from? Why do you feel judged all the time, may it possibly be that you are judging yourself?
Registered dietitians aren’t at all the Food Police, we are qualified healthcare professionals that can provide evidence-based recommendations tailored to an individual’s specific needs, goals, and health conditions. You can find us in many places; sports teams where we can help athletes recover better and work harder, in the hospital calculating the right formula for TPN (parenteral nutrition, or IV administered nutrition), on your morning news doing a cooking segment, providing new moms with advice in a WIC office, in schools editing school lunch menus, or at nursing homes caring for the elderly during breakfast time.
We are skilled educators able to provide complex information in practical easy-to-understand advice. However, we are also human. We live lives that aren’t perfect (because there is no such thing...) we enjoy pizza, and wine, and cake (at least this RD does!). We are here to support you through tough behavioral change, with the help of the many tools in our toolboxes. Nevertheless, all to say Registered Dietitians wear many hats, but never, ever, a Food Police badge.
But not everyone out there is qualified to provide evidenced-based information or advice, so what’s the difference between an RD, a nutritionist, and an influencer?
Know that an RD should not judge your choices inside or outside the office, know that influencers are bogus, and be careful who you take health and nutrition advice from (I’m looking at you Gwyneth Paltrow…). So, if you see an RD out there in the wild, treat them to a glass of wine! We live rich lives and do fulfilling work. So here’s to stomping that Food Police badge, finding help if you have your own Food Police to deal with, and listening to the experts.
If you’re struggling with your relationship with food stay tuned for the next newsletter, we’ll talk a bit about diet culture and further explore the concept of the Food Police-do you have your own Food Police to deal with? If you’re unsure, you’ll know by the next email.
Until next time, keep chewin’!
Love it. I definitely think people judge themselves and project outward, when you're in the room, lol!
Such an easy and lovely read, Gisela. I can see so many of my RD's friends identify with the "food police badge." Can't wait to read you every week!