What Does a Non-Diet Dietitian Mean?

When most people think of a dietitian they think of the “Food Police.” People believe that as a dietitian, I find enjoyment in policing people on their food choices. I can’t tell you how many times in the hospital patients would assure me they “don’t usually eat this way” as I observed snacks on snacks on snacks on their side table. Another example is when I go out to eat with a group of people and someone doesn’t know I’m a dietitian. When they find out, they’ll almost always lean over and whisper “Don’t judge me for this meal.”

However, most dietitians are the exact opposite! Of course, in the hospital if patients were on restrictive diet due to health concerns, I would enforce that. However, I did not care what snacks people had in their rooms. I just wanted them to find some sort of happiness while in the hospital, away from their family. If that meant eating snacks that reminded them of home, then sure! Truly, the majority of dietitians are not judging every person at the dinner table for their food choice. We love food just as much as you do! 

So what is the definition of a registered dietitian (RD)? Registered Dietitians, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, are “the food and nutrition experts who can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living.” Dietitians are everywhere. Not only do dietitians counsel on nutrition and health in the outpatient setting, but some work with tube feedings and IV nutrition in hospitals, some manage school nutrition in public schools, some work with athletes as sports dietitians, some conduct research, some enforce and write policies, etc. The dietetics field is so broad! So where does a non-diet dietitian fall?

A non-diet dietitian typically works in the counseling realm of dietitians. A non-diet dietitian does not encourage calorie restrictions, cutting out certain foods for weight control, and intentional weight loss. I get the desire to lose weight as the weight loss noise is so loud in our culture, but health is so much more than what you eat or how you look. There are so many other aspects that play into overall health like environment, genetics, sleep, and mental and physical health. 

So what do I do? 

As a non-diet dietitian, I  help people heal their relationship with food and their body. I carefully listen and provide encouragement every step of the way. I practice Intuitive Eating (IE) and the 10 principles of IE. I meet people where they are and walk them down the path of relearning to listen to their bodies needs and cues. I help people step out of diet culture and see it for what it really is. Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CEDRD, focuses on intuitive eating and breaking down diet culture stated, “Diet culture steals your time, your energy and your health. It is the life thief.” 

I help people learn that when they hear those negative voices in their head that they shouldn't eat a certain food because it is “bad”, that they question why it’s so “bad”. They should question where these thoughts come from. I guide people in eating for satisfaction. My goal is to help you break down these tall, tall walls built up from diet culture. Diet culture is very black and white, yes and no, good and bad. I assist in finding that middle ground, that gray area, and making peace in it.  

I help people reconnect with their bodies and find gratitude with their bodies in the right here and now. Our bodies are supposed to change. We are not supposed to look the way we did when we were 15 years old and there is so much beauty in that. I help people make peace with that and provide ways to encourage people to move their bodies in ways that bring them joy. Maybe that is walking their dog, gardening, bike riding with their family, or playing golf with their dad or grandfather.

Oh, kale no diet culture!

With all that being said, although I may be anti-diet, that does not mean I am anti-nutrition. I became a dietitian because I am passionate about nutrition and want to share my knowledge with others. There are 10 principles of Intuitive Eating and #10 is “honor your health with gentle nutrition.” The dietitians that founded IE put gentle nutrition last because of the importance of healing our relationship with food and ditching the intentional weight loss mentality. Only then can we properly make decisions about food for self care. Gentle nutrition is flexible. No one meal is going to cause you to fail. All foods fit and it’s about finding what works for you and your health!