The annual observance of RDN Day (March 8, 2023) recognizes Registered Dietitians for helping us lead healthier lifestyles. Let us take this commemoration as an opportunity to distinguish the word “diet” from modifying one’s lifestyle.
Diets typically are short-term, potentially restrictive eating regimens that tend to guarantee rapid weight loss. Diets, however, are frequently unsustainable, can result in nutrient deficiencies, and may even work against your long-term attempts to lose weight or stay healthy. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that among a sample of people who had lost weight through dieting, only about 5% were able to maintain their weight loss for at least five years.
In order to achieve sustainable weight loss and improve overall health, it is necessary to make lifestyle changes. This entails developing healthy routines including picking nutrient-dense foods, eating in moderation, and getting frequent exercise. Although implementing these adjustments could require some time and work, the long-term health benefits will be worth it.
The challenge for most people is getting started, and this is where a Registered Dietitian (RD) can make a huge difference. RDs are food and nutrition experts who can help you create a personalized nutrition plan that is tailored to your individual needs and goals.
An RD will assist you in identifying areas where you can make healthier decisions and will provide you with the tools and resources you need to carry out those changes. They may also dispel any myths or preconceptions you may have regarding healthy eating or weight loss, as well as guide you through the difficult world of nutrition facts.
Working with an RDN can ultimately help you take control of your health and establish long-lasting lifestyle changes that will improve your health and help you successfully reach your goals.
In conclusion, as we celebrate Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, recognize our own dietitian, Leah Silberman. She is a firm believer that our genes may hold the blueprint of our health, but they’re not our destiny. It’s easy to get lost in the flood of diet fads and bizarre exercise regimens in today’s social media-centric environment. The good news is that eating healthfully doesn’t have to be incredibly difficult. Leah can lead you to a lasting approach to wellness that works for you, whether you are continuously on the go or in the kitchen.