So there is a bit of a nutrition war going on out there at the moment and it is getting NASTY!
On one side of the fence sit the Paleo camp – promoting whole real food and a way of life that looks very much like what our ancestors ate back in the Palaeolithic era. On the other side of the fence sit the DAA (Dietitans Association of Australia), where the CEO, Claire Hewat has gone so far as to call the Paleo diet ‘dangerous’. Seriously!!!
So for those of you who follow our blogs and Facebook page, you may know a little bit about me and what I promote and believe in. For those of you who don’t, well here is a summary:
I am a qualified dietitian and have been practicing for the past 14 years. My qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (Monash University), a Masters of Nutrition and Dietetics (Deakin University) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Nutrition (Deakin Uni). In addition I am a qualified Pilates instructor. I am a massive believer in practising what I preach and therefore live and breath this stuff every single day. My kids have grown up in a house where we drink water when thirsty, we have a weekly trips to a market to purchase fresh, local and where possible organic food for the week, we ride our bikes or walk more than we use the car and even though most people think this is really strange, we don’t even have a TV (we decided to purchase a trampoline instead about 5 years ago and have never looked back!). My passion above and beyond anything is nutrition and food and I therefore spend the majority of my time researching, reading, learning, experimenting, cooking and of course eating. I was previously a member of the DAA and was given the status of Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), however at the start of this year I made the decision to discontinue my membership and thereby my APD status was removed. Why you might ask? Well for a number of reasons:
- Over the past few years my eyes have been opened up to a world of nutrition that the DAA and dietitians in general cast a blind eye upon. After so many years of promoting the Dietary Guidelines and not getting results with patients I have finally discovered a way in which I can assist my clients/patients get real results for the long term. This way is NOT supported by the DAA despite it being an effective and real alternative for many (most) individuals.
- I whole-heartedly believe in a Low carbohydrate high fat approach to nutrition. I have seen the impact it has had on myself personally and I see the results in my clients on a daily basis. I cannot and will not be associated with an organisation that is partnered with the likes of Campbell’s Arnott’s, Nestle and Unilever. To me this would be completely contradictory and ethically wrong.
- I totally embrace many of the Paleo principles but do believe that these principles can be adjusted to suit the individual. To me what makes the most sense about the Paleo diet is going back to eating REAL food, moving away from the packaged, high sugar, highly processed rubbish that the likes of the companies listed above profit from. I believe the Paleo and LCHF principles can act as a template to design a diet that can optimise a persons weight, health, energy levels, performance etc. This is NOT a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach. The key is being open to new ideas and alternative theories. I believe that the current Dietary Guidelines promoted by the DAA are a rigid way of eating that do not work for most individuals.
On a personal level, since changing my diet to LCHF and following the majority of the Paleo principles (however I do personally include dairy as I do not have any issues with this) I have experienced the following:
- A renewed passion and love for the world of nutrition!
- Fat loss – I am leaner now then when I got married and was training for Ironman triathlon 11 years ago.
- Consistent energy levels – I no longer experience a mid-afternoon slump, in fact my energy levels are consistently high always.
- I do NOT get hungry! This to me is remarkable and the real reason why low fat diets just don’t work and are not sustainable. Fat keeps me satisfied and it keeps me lean – who would have thought!
- I do not get sick. Many people think/believe that a cold during winter is normal, well it isn’t! We are all exposed to the same germs/infections but why is it that some of us get sick so often and others don’t? Makes you think doesn’t it?
- Recently I had a full blood test done and the comment from the doctor was that he had never seen such a metabolically healthy person, ever! My cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, in fact everything was perfect.
- And finally I am happier! It is a really good feeling knowing that everyday I am putting quality wholesome nutritious food into my body.
So to the DAA and any dietitian out there who thinks that LCHF and Paleo is a fad or a quick-fix or too expensive or that there hasn’t been enough research to support it or that it is unsustainable, I urge you to get out of your comfort zone and start reading. The fat revolution has begun and it is getting stronger with more and more supporters. Either you can jump on board or you can be left in the dark. The choice is yours.
awesome information. Keep sharing. Thanks you
Good on you Vicky!
I’m with DAA too but have been deferred for 1.5 years because I moved into the health content marketing industry.
Like you I like to spread up-to-date and CORRECT dietary information, not food pyramid BS.
I think I will cancel my membership in January. It’s clear to me that I’m not on the same side as big food and DAA.
I think it is appalling that the DAA are even aloud to be associated with companies that produce junk food. Shouldn’t they be sided and supporting local farmers??
What a great article! Very well said. Keep up the great work!
What is your version of low carb ie how many carbs as I believe this is where the confusion occurs, people seem to freak out when they hear low carb.
Hi Kelly, the level of carb restriction required differs from individual to individual and is basically determined by one’s degree of insulin resistance. Those individuals with extreme insulin resistance i.e. someone who demonstrates symptoms of metabolic syndrome (overweight/obese, Type 2 diabetes etc) will need to usually restrict carbs down to as low as 25g per day. On the other hand, leaner more active individuals can sometime get away with anything up to around 200g per day. A period of trial and error is usually required to determine this for each individual
See I wouldn’t say 200g is low carb IMO (in no way am I a professional). This is where I think people are ready to slam paleo etc because they think there is complete restriction going on.
Spot on! Often it is a lack of understanding and making a judgement before seeing the full picture. Thanks for your interest Kelly
Just want to congratulate you on your decision to ditch your DAA Membership and work with your clients on a One on One needs basis instead of trying to fit them all into one model. *I am a T2D who eats to keep the numbers low :-), this is against the advice of the DAA consultant who says ‘it does not work in the long term’.
I do wish there was someone like you here on the NW Coast of Tasmania. I would willingly attend consults with them. Right now I am on my own.
Thanks again for your bravery, backbone and integrity.
Clare in Tassie
Hi Clare, thank-you for your kind words. I am blown away by the amount of support I have received in this regard. I have been contacted by individuals all over the country and consult with many of them now via skype. If this is an option you would like to explore further please feel free to contact me at any time.
Of course the DAA will vilify paleo eating – it affects their authority/credibility, because for so long, they’ve advocated the exact opposite. Due to their conflicts of interest (eg. Nestle), they would be under immense pressure to down play the benefits of paleo eating.
Personally, i’m 30kg down and counting (post partum). I can never thank the people who have educated me about paleo eating along the way, enough, because they’ve made me a healthier mum for my kids. Having lost my mum to pancreatic cancer, secondary (in my (professional) opinion) to diabetes (and its medications!) at a young age, i’m now very conscious of eating the best foods to stay as healthy as i can, for as long as possible, for my children.
On a lighter note, it’s so true about never being hungry when eating paleo/LCHF. The only problem is, when you’ve previously eaten out of boredom a lot, and now longer can, because you’re genuinely not hungry, you think, ‘bugger…now what do i do?!’. lol. It frees up a lot of time!!
Hi Lily, thanks for sharing your story. My kids are certainly a big part of why I choose to live this way.
finally some sense from a qualified dietitian. I am a appalled that the DAA continues to push the one size fits all food pyramid ( which was developed by the US department of agriculture and which pushes grains) and also continues to push carbohydrates to diabetics when they lack the means to properly metabolise them and they will impair glucose control It is also unconscionable and unethical that they have a financial relationship with big food. Well done on having the courage to acknowledge the exciting revolution in ideas occurring in nutrition, and to walk away from this irrelevant organisation.
May I ask why you believe the dairy is not necessary to omit from your diet? Just beginning Paleo diet and feel a little uneasy about the no diary part. Thanks
Dairy is a complicated one. There is certainly a percentage of people who cannot tolerate dairy (estimated at about 30% of the population). I have found in some instances that certain individuals do better without dairy, especially when it comes to weight loss. However if you are tolerant to dairy it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing type of approach. Dairy is often what allows for long-term compliance and makes this way of eating a lot easier/sustainable for people. Dairy can be delicious if added correctly and in the right amounts. If you are going to have dairy then it definitely should be full-fat, there is no value whatsoever in reduced fat/skim dairy. If my clients are unsure about excluding/including dairy, I often encourage a trial period of both to see how your body responds. The key is finding what works for you, rather than trying to fit into a box with a particular label.
Surely that proportion of dairy intolerance you’ve cited needs to be qualified? I imagine it wouldn’t be close to 30% in a Caucasian population, but would be significantly higher in an Asian population, for example.
If it is 30% for Caucasians, I’d love to see a source.
Thanks
Yes you are correct, that figure of 30% is for Caucasians. It is estimated that in Australia approximately 30% of people are lactose intolerant. In general those with Northern European ancestry tend to be able to digest lactose, were as in African, Asian and South American groups intolerance can range from 60% all the way up to 100% http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Worldwide_prevalence_of_lactose_intolerance_in_recent_populations.jpg
Interesting read, we are currently having this debate. We have been trying to change our diet for awhile now and had been interested in taking on parts of the paleo style, not all. Our household has diabetics and my hubby has just had a heart attack, so major changes are now happening. The dietitians have basically all been telling us we have going down the wrong track and doing more damage. It is so confusing….
In essence if someone has diabetes (and more specifically type 2 diabetes) they are insulin resistant or in more simple terms they are intolerant to glucose. This basically means that when they eat any carbohydrate food the body cannot deal with it. As a result insulin levels go through the roof. It is these high insulin levels that ultimately cause the disease of diabetes to be both progressive and palliative. By significantly reducing carbohydrates you can halt the progression (and possibly even reverse) the diabetes AND reduce the likelihood of developing long-term complications. Many of my patients now have normal blood glucose levels, normal HbA1c and have either significantly reduced their medication or no longer require medication at all. We have been brainwashed into believing that carbs are an essential part of our diet, in particular wholegrains, they simply are not and in many cases they are the reason why we have developed diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure etc. Reduce the carbs, eat adequate protein, don’t be afraid of fat and Just Eat real food – its that simple, your family will ALL reap the rewards
G’day Vicky,
I am 80 years old, I am in permanent atrial fibrillation, have angina, but am otherwise fairly healthy (for my age).
My weight is fairly good, but distributed wrongly, in other words concentrated around my mid section. ie a pot belly.
I have been to a dietician a couple of years ago, and I lost weight, but not where I wanted to lose it.
I believe the paleo diet involves vigorous exercise, so is ruled out for me.
I walk each day but not very far (around 30mins) but not at an aerobic rate due to the angina.
I have regular blood tests and glycine’s, cholesterol etc are all good.
So after all that waffle is there a way of concentrating weight loss only to where you want to lose it without triggering a heart attack?
Hi Ted, weight distributed around your middle (a pot belly as you describe it) is a clear indication of ‘insulin resistance’. Carbohydrate is the main culprit in triggering an insulin response, which if consumed in excess over time will result in insulin resistance. Fructose (50% of sugar) will impact insulin resistance directly. A diet lower in carbohydrates, with very little sugar (if any) is what I would be recommending. Contrary to popular belief eating fat is not going to give you a heart attack (or make you fat) and therefore good quality fat would be an essential part of your diet, alongside adequate protein. Also the Paleo diet does not need to involve vigorous exercise (I’m not sure where you heard that!). The Paleo lifestyle is simply an approach to life that mimics that of our ancestors with as many elements incorporated that you can realistically allow for in your day to day life.
Thanks Vicky, when the paleo diet was first being touted on the internet it also mentioned “fleeing” as part of the regime. After a query I was told that as it was of the lifestyle back then.. etc
My response at that time was if the paleo diet principles why was the average age back then in the 30’s.. They didn’t bother to answer. cheers Ted