March is National Nutrition Month (Yay!!), so let's quickly dive into what nutrition is.
In short, nutrition is the field of study that focuses on what the food we eat does for us. From providing energy to possibly sabotaging our mood, the food and nutrients we eat affect us each and every day. Sometimes in surprising ways that we may not anticipate (e.g. an epic, butt-clenching rush to the bathroom).
We have been eating since the literal beginning of time, but the field of nutrition is still relatively young.
Although Antoine Lavoisier discovered the metabolic process in the 1770s, it has only been in the last 100 years or so that we have truly been making strides in understanding how vitamins and nutrients work into that process.
OK and?
Glad you asked.
There are a lot of new studies that get misconstrued by marketers looking to sell the next fad diet. From inconclusive results championed as the next life-saving fix to studies sponsored by biased teams, it can be incredibly difficult to discern fact from fiction.
When you are struggling with gastrointestinal issues (IBS, GERD, and Celiac disease just to name a few) that interrupt your quality of life and joy in the day-to-day, it can be so frustrating when the main tip you are given is to "just lose weight."
While weight loss may be a beneficial side effect of healthy behaviors and reducing visceral fat may reduce symptoms, being met with "just lose weight" can be discouraging when you don't know where to start and you really just want to stop waking up to acid reflux.
Understanding nutrition and adopting a healthy diet have so many more benefits than just weight loss - they can lead to a new life where your symptoms don't impede your joy.
A registered Dietitian (such as our lovely Danielle Starmer 😉) can help you discover what works for your body and lifestyle. Their invaluable education and knowledge take the guesswork and mystery out of the equation, allowing you to learn what foods work best for you. Not what the most recent fad thinks works best for you (or at least works best for their wallet).
If you have any questions or topics you would like to see on the blog, comment below! Nutrition and wellness is our passion and we would love to discuss what matters to you.
If you would like to take the next step in understanding food and your body, schedule a free 30-minute discovery call here!