Everyday Healthy Eating: eat like me (or don't)

I think a lot about food. A lot.

I also enjoy eating.

Did I mention that I think a lot about food? When I say I think a lot about food, it is because I spend the greater part of each day reading research on nutrients and health outcomes, theories on why our bodies attack some foods (e.g. allergies), refreshing my memory on biochemical processes that connect the dots between food and function, exploring the relationship between food choice and environment, plotting the best way to get a 4th grader to drink less soda, thinking about what to make for dinner, etc, etc.

Yes, it's my profession: I'm a dietitian. But it's also my vocation - I was called to it. Anyway, let me stop before I get all schmoopy (or worse, philosophical) about life's choices. What I wanted to share are some of the quirky things that happen When people learn that I'm a dietitian, and what I've been snacking on lately (because people ask). Here are a handful of typical responses:

1. Becoming self-conscious about what they eat in front of me

2. Alternately, becoming hyper-conscious of what I eat, followed by either emulation or judgement

3. Telling me exactly what they had to eat today (down to the number of skittles)

4. Asking me what to eat to get X (better butt, flat abs, cool pants or whathaveyou)

5. Or my favorite: Confronting me with a food just prior to it entering their mouth, which says, "is this healthy"?*

My inner monologue when these things happen:

1. Ugh. Please just eat.

2. Hey, seriously. I like to eat, too! Please (please) just eat.

3. I expect to get paid to listen to 24-hour diet recalls

4. Sigh. It's really beside the point. Can we go get a sandwich now? (and also, back to #4, I usually get paid to respond to that kind of thing)

5. Go away.

And now, on to my personal snacking behaviors (riveting, I know).

Well, with just about everyone having something to say about food, I thought why not me? I don't pretend to own the conversation on food (far from it, sadly), but neither do my colleagues, Oprah, medical doctors**, celebrity chefs, outspoken "foodies," nor girls who just happen to be hungry. Truth is, we all own a part of this conversation, which is what makes it a conversation rather than an incognito soapbox.

Here are my favorite snacks from this week. And some aren't even what you'd call "healthy," showing that a dietitian can empathize with the client who doesn't want to give up their favorite foods.

1. Non-fat plain greek yogurt and spicy baked pita chips

I think I may be one of the last people to discover greek yogurt. Actually, it reminds me of Quark, which I had AGES ago while traveling in the Netherlands. I came back craving it and finding it no where. Anyway, non-fat plain greek yogurt is satisfyingly thick with some of the tartness of sour cream -- a vast improvement over regular non-fat yogurt. A serving is 90 calories, but tastes like so much more. Also, the dairy offsets the spiciness of the baked pita chips, which give a great crunch for people who like texture. I love strong flavors and textures, so this is a great treat for me, and in no way do I feel like I'm eating "health food."

2. Cucumber salad

A girl can only eat so much arugula (which I love, but...). Leafy greens can be messy. Cucumbers are so fresh. Lately, I've been letting myself move away from the typical idea of a salad by starting my salads with cucumbers. Chop 2 long cucumbers, add an array of colorful veggies at will. Top with croutons, tofu, or chicken if desired. Yum!

3. Back to Nature Fudge Mint Cookies

I picked these up on a whim this week. Omg these are so tasty. Especially right out of the freezer. Girl Scouts, watch out, these are available year-round. Four cookies will run 150 calories -- not catastrophic, but it'd still be a good idea to portion out a serving of four (or less) and savor them as a treat. I only mention the brand name because I have tried other mint chocolate cookies, hoping for an approximation of thin-mintiness without reward, but these actually get the job done!

http://www.backtonaturefoods.com/product-detail.aspx?category=cookies&productName=Fudge-Mint&product=5928300011

4. Strawberries and honey

Food of the gods. Reminds me of picking up crates from the local farmstand in Southern California during those few weeks in early summer when the berries are begging to be devoured. The honey is requisite if you live on the east coast. That is all.

*I hate this question. But that's a conversation for another time.

** Incidentally, "doctor" is a term that, in most countries, denotes an academic who has earned a doctoral level of expertise in a field of study. Calling a medical doctor a "doctor," is like saying the same of all those kids who warmed seats for three years of law school. I (clearly) find this annoying. This is because: 1) It is not uncommmon to hear someone say "Dr. so-and-so isn't a "real" doctor. They just have a PhD"; 2) my graduate degree took 3 years and nobody calls me 'doctor' -- or even 'master'; and 3) when I do eventually earn my PhD, I will be even more annoyed at the other poser 'doctors'. Many physicians are health care practitioners (and thank god for them), and have a professional degree (the MD) for that reason, but 'doctors' they are not.

I think about food. A lot.

I also enjoy eating.

Did I mention that I think a lot about food? When I say I think a lot about food, it is because I spend the greater part of each day reading research on nutrients and health outcomes, theories on why our bodies attack some foods (e.g. allergies), refreshing my memory on biochemical processes that connect the dots between food and function, exploring the relationship between food choice and environment, plotting the best way to get a 4th grader to drink less soda, thinking about what to make for dinner, etc, etc.

Yes, it's my profession: I'm a dietitian. But it's also my vocation - I was called to it. Anyway, let me stop before I get all schmoopy (or worse, philosophical) about life's choices. What I wanted to share are some of the quirky things that happen when people learn that I'm a dietitian, and what I've been snacking on lately (because people ask). Here are a handful of typical responses:

Becoming self-conscious about what they eat in front of me

Alternately, becoming hyper-conscious of what I eat, followed by either emulation or judgement

Telling me exactly what they had to eat today (down to the number of skittles)

Asking me what to eat to get X (better butt, flat abs, cool pants or whathaveyou)

Or my favorite: Confronting me with a food just prior to it entering their mouth, which says, "is this healthy"?*

My inner monologue when these things happen:

Ugh. Please just eat.

Hey, seriously. I like to eat, too! Please (please) just eat.

I expect to get paid to listen to 24-hour diet recalls

Sigh. It's really beside the point. Can we go get a sandwich now? (and also, back to #4, I usually get paid to respond to that kind of thing)

Go away.

And now, on to my personal snacking behaviors (riveting, I know).

Well, with just about everyone having something to say about food, I thought why not me? I don't pretend to own the conversation on food (far from it, sadly), but neither do my colleagues, Oprah, medical doctors**, celebrity chefs, outspoken "foodies," nor girls who just happen to be hungry. Truth is, we all own a part of this conversation, which is what makes it a conversation rather than an incognito soapbox.

Here are my favorite snacks from this week. And some aren't even what you'd call "healthy," showing that a dietitian can empathize with the client who doesn't want to give up their favorite foods.

1. Non-fat plain greek yogurt and spicy baked pita chips

I think I may be one of the last people to discover greek yogurt. Actually, it reminds me of Quark, which I had AGES ago while traveling in the Netherlands. I came back craving it yet finding it no where. Anyway, non-fat plain greek yogurt is satisfyingly thick with some of the tartness of sour cream -- a vast improvement over regular non-fat yogurt. A serving is 90 calories, but tastes like so much more. Also, the dairy offsets the spiciness of the baked pita chips, which give a great crunch for people who like texture. I love strong flavors and textures, so this is a great treat for me, and in no way do I feel like I'm eating "health food."

2. Cucumber salads

A girl can only eat so much arugula (which I love, but...). Leafy greens can be messy. Cucumbers are so fresh. Lately, I've been letting myself move away from the typical idea of a salad by starting my salads with cucumbers. Chop 2 long cucumbers, add an array of colorful veggies at will. Top with croutons, tofu, or chicken if desired. Yum!

3. Back to Nature Fudge Mint Cookies

4. Strawberries and honey

Food of the gods. Reminds me of picking up bounteous crates from the local farmstand in Southern California during those few weeks in early summer when the berries are begging to be devoured. The honey is requisite if you live on the east coast. That is all.

--

* I hate this question. But that's a conversation for another time.

** Incidentally, "doctor" is a term that, in most countries, denotes an academic who has earned a doctoral level of expertise in a field of study. Calling a medical doctor a "doctor," is like saying the same of all those kids who warmed seats for three years of law school. I (clearly) find this annoying. This is because: 1) It is not uncommmon to hear someone say "Dr. so-and-so isn't a "real" doctor. They just have a PhD"; 2) my graduate degree took 3 years and nobody calls me 'doctor' -- or even 'master'; and 3) when I do eventually earn my PhD, I will be even more annoyed at the other poser 'doctors'. Many physicians are health care practitioners (and thank god for them), and have a professional degree (the MD) for that reason, but technically, "doctors" they are not.

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eat like me (or don't)