It’s April Fool’s Day! You can bet as a dietitian that I’ve heard a TON of crazy fads and foolish advice such as:
- “No fruit…it has too much sugar-especially bananas. And watch out for carrots.” (Gasp!)
- “Did you know eggplant and tomatoes are bad for you?” (Book marketing)
- Or this one: “The doctor told me to avoid nuts because they raise cholesterol.” (Misinformation from experts who have not focused their studies on nutrition)
- “I cheated and ate beans” (someone who has been totally confused by all the fads out there).
- “I can’t eat after work today since I got stuck in traffic: my personal trainer said no eating after 6pm.” (“blanket” advice that doesn’t consider one’s big-picture well-being)
Nope. It’s not the sugar from eating a piece of fruit (or two…or three) that gets us, nor is it nightshade veggies like eggplants. It’s typically the mindless eating, the caloric-beverage drinking, the late night “long-day-who cares”-eating, dining-out portions and bottomless baskets, or the “cheat day” mini-binging that gets people into the most trouble.
Many well-intended health-seekers are falling into what I call fad-traps that get them so confused that they no longer can make sense of what’s good for them. So, here are some fool-proof reminders from my fabulous RD-colleagues on April Fool’s Day:
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“One single study rarely changes healthy eating advice, so try not to get too excited about media headlines.” –Elizabeth Ward
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“Don’t rely on willpower – set your environment up to support your success!” –Melissa Joy Dobbins
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“Clear pee by 3!” –Amanda Field
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“It’s better to pay the grocer than the doctor.” –Karen Mace Buch
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“There are two ways to waste excess food, by throwing it out or putting it in fat cells in your body. You decide.” –Maureen Bligh
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“Everything in moderation including moderation.” –Dixya Bhattarai
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“Eat too much and you will see your food again!” -Jennifer Lynn-Pullman
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“Depriving yourself of something typically only serves to make you want it more…” –Lindsay Livingston
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“Food first (referencing the nutrition supplement commercials).” –Carol S. Rowland Deming-Casey
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“Diets are temporary, lifestyle changes will last a lifetime.” –Kristy Hegner
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“Eat your fruit don’t drink it. Same with nuts: Eat your almonds, don’t drink them.” –Jennifer Neily
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“It’s hard to make good choices when you’re starving! Have a plan.” –Alison Rainey Doak
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“Not every calorie is created equal.” –Brianna Kennedy
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“Don’t diet to be healthy. You have to eat and move to be healthy.” –Betsy Ramirez
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“Fiber is your friend.” –Rebecca Thieneman
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“You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” –Jennifer McDaniel
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“Eating one decadent meal doesn’t make you fat, just like eating one salad doesn’t make you thin. It’s the big picture that counts.” –Caroline Kaufman
