We’ve all been on a diet at least once in our lifetime. But would you be able to define the word “diet” without a dictionary or an online search? The word has ancient Greek roots (diaita) that refer to lifestyle habits (including nutrition). The term passed from Greek to Latin (dieta) and, during the Middle Ages, came to refer not only to one’s habitual way of eating but also to any prescribed nutrition and/or lifestyle regimen. The term dieta also had a political meaning for centuries, referring to an assembly. Thus, you’ll recall that the Diet of Worms was not anyone’s customary or prescribed way of eating but rather an imperial assembly that took place in 1521!
What “diet” means today
Today, we usually hear the word “diet” in conjunction with an attempt to reach an ideal weight or figure by modifying the way we eat. Typically, it implies deprivation, fake substitutes for real food, and lots of shame and judgment. Sometimes it implies a genuine quest for health, but more often, it seems to be a marketing ploy.
When was the last time you read about the miraculous benefits of a specific diet?
- Keto
- Low-carb
- Low-fat
- Plant-based
- Paleo
- Carnivore
- Pegan
- Raw food
- Blood type
- Low-histamine
- Low-oxalate
- Mediterranean
- And more (but I know you get the idea!)
I’ll tell you a secret. The reason why there are so many different diets being proposed is because different things work for different people! That means that what works for you may not work for me. And not only that, but our needs change over time. So that means that what works for you today may not be what works for you next year.
I change my nutrition up whenever there’s a shift in my needs, objectives or symptom picture, and I guide my nutritional therapy clients to do the same. In fact, one of the guiding principles in my work is having a repertoire of skills and tools that help us fine-tune your way of eating.
The five questions covered in the next part of this post will help you understand your nutritional needs better. If you have unresolved health goals, I hope you’ll get in touch with me to dive deeper!
How Do Your Meals Make You Feel?
If you feel great after a meal and for 4-5 hours thereafter, that’s a clue that the way you eat is likely working well for you. But don’t stop there because we have four more questions to go!
How Often Are You Hungry?
Ideally, our meals should leave us feeling full and satisfied and should keep us going for 4-5 hours. If you’re hungry within 3 hours of consuming a meal, something may be out of balance. Here are some of the things that may cause hunger a few hours after your meal:
- You didn’t eat enough
- Your blood sugar is dysregulated
- You aren’t consuming enough water and are misinterpreting your thirst as hunger
- You may not have consumed enough fiber, protein or fats
- There may be a hormonal imbalance causing excess hunger signals
What Foods Do You Crave?
Different cravings can mean different things, and a lot depends on the context. However, cravings are a signal that something may be out of balance. Here are some examples from my client work:
- A 13-year-old boy who craved large amounts of mustard turned out to have low stores of the trace mineral lithium. Mustard tends to be a good food source of lithium, and I reassured his parents that the mustard craving made sense. We got a number of other sources of food-based lithium on board, and the craving dwindled as his levels improved. His sleep, concentration and mood also improved as his lithium levels normalized.
- A client craved massive amounts of chocolate during the days before her periods, but unfortunately, the chocolate was a migraine trigger for her! Functional testing revealed she needed more food sources of magnesium and anti-oxidants. She was super-enthusiastic about the food list I provided for her, and this quickly reduced her chocolate cravings, her migraines, and her menstrual cramps!
- A preschooler was constantly craving bread, pasta, crackers and sweets. We ran a stool test, and he turned out to have a yeast overgrowth alongside low levels of beneficial lactobacilli and bifidobacteria strains. I put together a plan to increase prebiotics and recommended some probiotic foods, and his taste buds re-set quite nicely, to the delight of his parents and teachers.
- A client was craving large amounts of coffee. She was going to bed very late and wasn’t sleeping well. We implemented a plan to improve sleep habits, decrease stress and rebalance nutrients in the body. We started reducing coffee slowly but surely, starting with the late evening and working our way backward. She now greatly enjoys her one cup in the morning, sleeps well at night, and wakes feeling rested.
What’s the Scoop on Your Poop?
There are many nutritional and functional health factors that can affect the quality and frequency of your bowel movements. You should be pooping daily, and your poop should feel just right in amount and texture (think Goldilocks). If you have loose stools and/or constipation, your nutrition and functional health warrant a close look!
Do You Suffer From Seasonal Afflictions?
Does any of this sound familiar?
- Seasonal sadness – most frequently, this occurs in the winter, but some people experience it during the spring and summer months instead
- Sensitivity to heat
- Sensitivity to cold
- Difficulty adjusting to temperature changes
- Susceptibility to insect bites
- Susceptibility to sunburn or heat-inflicted rashes
- Urticaria or asthma triggered by cold air or cold drinks
- Excessive sweating
- Not sweating or limited sweating
If any of these apply, it’s a really good idea to take a look at the big picture of your functional health!
Let’s work together!
Are you looking for individualized, client-centered guidance on your nutrition? Set up a free 15-minute discovery call here.