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I am a dietitian, but I do not have a list of foods I won’t eat. Sure, there are foods I don’t like so I prefer not to eat them. Similarly, there are foods that I know are not the best nutrition-wise or do not make me feel my best, so I won’t eat them often but that’s not to say I won’t ever eat them.

It is all the rage for people to write blog posts or articles about “Top 10 Foods I Won’t Eat” or “10 Foods No Dietitian Will Eat”. These headlines are a gimmick meant to draw you in. The few times I’ve clicked through to read such articles, they didn’t provide insightful information.

I was thinking about this the other day because I opened a can of tuna and I mixed in a few tablespoons of Miracle Whip (GASP!).

Miracle Whip

There is no one food or food group that is the root cause of any health issue. Sure, if a client is drinking 6 soft drinks a day, I will try to get them to cut down but if they are not willing to tackle that issue, then I will find something they are willing to change. Maybe add in more fruits and vegetables to their meals or snacks, or start drinking more water throughout the day. Hopefully, after making a few health-promoting behavioral changes, they will see and feel the difference and eventually they will be more willing to tackle their soft drink intake.

I work with clients to make health-promoting behavioral changes but you can’t revamp habits overnight or make 10 dietary lifestyle changes after one session. That is not realistic or maintainable. This is the reason why fad diets come and GO. People don’t want to spend the rest of their lives not eating their favorite food. 

So yes, I eat ketchup, Miracle Whip, ice cream, cookies, and I drink alcohol. Do I do these things every day? No.

Do I think adding 2 Tbsp. of Miracle Whip to my tuna salad once or twice a YEAR is going to cause me to have a heart attack in the future? No.

Being healthy is about what you do the MAJORITY of the time. Not 100% of the time. We are all human. Being healthy is about finding balance and to look at the whole picture of health. Any food in excess can be unhealthy. Eating too many bananas can kill you if you are suffering from kidney disease. That is why nutrition is very individualized. What works for one person may not work for another.

Do you agree or disagree?

Ready to make peace with food? Join my Intuitive Eating Support Group for Women.

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