As some of you know, FNCE the Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo, was last weekend, which is the “Superbowl” of conferences for Registered Dietitians.
It was a time for thousands of dietitians to get together, learn and grow as professionals, and have fun!!
There were so many cutting-edge sessions (ranging from a Health at Every Size “debate“, therapeutic approaches, functional medicine, business strategy, podcasting, updated recommendations for medical nutrition therapy, and CBD Cannabis oil!!)
Who knew one conference could “house” so many different topics for dietitians?
As in all professions, sometimes there is “drama” among dietitians.
We all have different ways of looking at health and wellbeing and sometimes we DON’T agree on topics and what is “right”.
After all, a recent conversation on “pro-diet” vs. “anti-diet” was what inspired me to write out my own nutrition philosophy.
At FNCE though, it seemed like we are all in this together to make this world a better place. In my opinion, dietitians are here to help people (whether we agree on the “right” way or not). Through counseling, food service, community work, partnering with media or food companies, dietitians have so many talents and skills to offer clients and the public.
My proudest moment at FNCE was the standing ovation that I gave Christy Harrison as she “debated” Health at Every Size to thousands of dietitians against the more “traditional” approach of weight management interventions.
I know this philosophy isn’t for every dietitian and respect differences of opinion.But at the same time, I am SO HAPPY to see so many dietitians interested in this topic, as it was truly life changing for me (personally and professionally) to find Health at Every Size.
And the talking points were so good:
- Weight stigma does more harm to people than what you would think. There is more and more research coming out that says weight stigma is responsible for the “negative health outcomes” that we typically blame on fat.
- There is not 1 research study that “proves” permanent weight loss by any diet intervention lasts for more than 90% of people over a 5 year period (and the “other side” also accidentally proved this point– but hey it’s TRUE). The body is a smart machine isn’t it?
- Dietitians have the ability to help clients with attuned eating and to recover from disordered eating without focusing on weight loss.
- Dietitians support clients in letting go of diet culture rules and re-attune to hunger/fullness/satisfaction cues.
- Dietitians use evidence-based approaches with nutrition advice and empower clients to make peace with food.
- It’s your relationship with food that can positively impact your life and allows you to be the person you were meant to be. Health is NOT just what we eat and how we move.
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Jennifer McGurk, RDN, CDN, CDE, CEDRD is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist whose mission is to help dietitians Be the Dietitian you were Meant to Be. She is an expert in the field of eating disorders and also supervises other Registered Dietitians as an iaedp approved supervisor. She is the owner of Eat With Knowledge in Nyack, NY and leads a team of dietitians who support the philosophy, “Feel fabulous about food!”
Download her FREE resource on the top 10 mistakes professionals make in private practice.
