“THIS or THAT Nutrition”

Unfortunately, the bulk of “healthy eating” recommendations tend to come in the form of a “This or That” feel:

Don’t eat bananas. Eat blueberries.
Don’t eat red meat. Eat beans.
Don’t eat frozen vegetables. Eat fresh.
Don’t eat conventional. Eat organic.
Don’t fuel with energy gels. Fuel with whole food.
Don’t count calories. Eat intuitively.
Don’t drink to thirst. Drink to a plan.
Don’t eat high carb. Eat high fat.

This messaging conveys a Wrong or Right vibe: This Choice OR That Choice, with no in between.

Most of us need to unlearn this mindset of needing to live (and eat) on one end of the spectrum or the other. There are too many moving pieces when it comes to our health foundation, our healthspan, and our athletic pursuits to settle permanently on one end.

It is a disservice to ignore Our Personal Context and to be inflexible.

And don’t get me wrong - I’m NOT saying “all things in moderation” either. That obviously doesn’t work or we wouldn’t have the health issues we do in this country (and in many parts of the world). Additionally, athletes are different. We don’t train “in moderation” when we have specific goals.

Take caution next time you encounter the This or That food rule. Chances are there is way more to the story (e.g., the framework, the context, the contributing factors, the “where do I fit in this picture?”, etc.) that needs consideration and attention.

Food for thought and thought for food and stuff in between,

Dina Griffin, MS RDN CSSD
Sports Dietitian
Chief Fueling Officer at The Nutrition Mechanic
dina@nutritionmechanic.com