Recommendations

​They say low-fat is where it’s at.
Fat-free is even better.
Omit ALL glycerides,
And you’ll look great in that tight sweater.
 
Low-carb’s the way, is what they say.
Eschew all foods with starches.
So skip the bun and French fries
When you patronize the arches.

---

​Processed food, they say, ain’t good.
Eat nothing that’s not whole.
If it’s preserved with chemicals,
Eject it from your bowl!
 
Go sugar-free as remedy
To feeling fat and sick.
Remember, fruit’s just sugar;
Do not fall for its shrewd trick.

​They warn that gluten makes you ill
And causes stomach pains.
Take one more step, just to be safe,
And go against all grains.
 
For low BP, no MSG
Or salt should touch your dish.
Though pesticides may taint your greens,
And mercury your fish.
 
Garlic makes your breath stink.
Legumes will give you gas.
Tea has tannins, so does wine.
Don’t pour them in your glass!

---

​And eggs have high cholesterol.
(Cholesterol is bad)
Meat’s full of saturated fat.
Plus, killing pigs is sad.
 
Dairy is a nightmare
Full of hormones and cow tears.
Beware antibiotics!
No milk can calm your fears.

---

​Soy increases estrogen.
Most corn is GMO.
There must be something wrong with peas,
But what, they don’t yet know.
 
I’m paranoid, so I avoid
All foods they say might stun me.
I am the queen of eating clean,
But I am really hungry!
                                        Lorelei Sturm

---

​If you can relate, you are not alone.  When it comes to advice about health and nutrition, there is SOOO much information out there, easily accessible via internet.  Much of it is delivered passionately with a rigid point of view and tons of reasons why what THEY SAY is right and everyone else is wrong.  It is impossible to believe and follow everything all at the same time, but also difficult to ignore advice and suggestions that sound really convincing.
 
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when offered nutrition advice:

• What is the source?  Do they have any credentials that would suggest they know what they are talking about?
• What is their agenda?  Sometimes people are actually selling a product that solves the problem they have brought to your attention – be wary!  Sometimes people just want to be right.  Most people are well-intentioned, or at least they think they are, but it’s worth questioning.
• Do they back up the claim with evidence based scientific research or mere personal anecdote (ie: “my sister tried this thing and it totally worked!”)?  Usually you’ll hear both, and both can be compelling.  When someone sites a study, it can be hard to know without doing a lot of additional research whether or not the study was a high quality peer reviewed process.  But if you’ve ever read any of those top notch articles, they are generally pretty boring and rarely yield mind blowing results.  As for stories about individual experiences, try to take them at face value.  What works for one doesn’t work for all.

 
If you have a hard time distinguishing practical, down to earth recommendations from bogus or simply trendy ones, don’t go online!  Ask your doctor, or better yet, a qualified dietitian.  Doctors can and will give dietary advice, but most get very little nutrition training in medical school.  And look, you probably already know there is no magic bullet when it comes to losing weight or building muscle or living a longer healthier life.  It’s a process of making sensible choices over time.
 

​My name is Lorelei Sturm. Some of you may know me as a yoga instructor with Chicago’s Neighborhood Fitness Centers. I am also a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s degree in Nutrition. CNF is committed to helping its members lead healthier lives by encouraging wellness and a healthy lifestyle in addition to fitness. So, what burning nutrition questions do you have? Let me know in the comments below. 

---