How would you respond? - JP Fitness Forums

ark · 03-31-2008, 03:46 PM

I had a conversation w/ a reg. dietician about protien needs. She said I was eating way too much protein. This was her response to me about my resource (NROL):

It is very difficult to distinguish between a credible source and a non credible source b/c people work very hard to make their info. sound right. So if your're not an expert you'd never know. One way to tell if you have no background in nutritional sciences is that if they sell something then they are usually quacks almost 100% of the time. I really am trying to help because I am a nutrition professional (with real credentials and yearssss of schooling) and it frustrates me to see people who just make stuff up and make money off it (not you- the sites, books, etc.). If I gave misinfo. i'd lose my license- they have no license or professional credibility so they're free to say whatever they want.

How would you respond to that???

Alcoholiday · 03-31-2008, 04:05 PM

i wouldn't respond.

sounds like she has a close minded view, and not open to any new information. I guess YEAAARRRRRRRSSSSS of schooling didn't teach her when you fail to keep an open mind, you stop learning.

maybe you could also tell her that decades of bodybuilders people in the strength sports have eaten this way, and have seen gains in muscle. There's a reason high protein diets are still consumed... because they work and have for decades.

Susan4 · 03-31-2008, 04:06 PM

I once tried to work with a nutritionist regarding the increased protein needs of a twin pregnancy. She was pretty much clueless and had all the schooling, licenses and degrees. I knew more from reading two books by experts in the field than what she could provide me with. And by golly those experts sold me a book to read

Funny thing books, people condense their knowledge into them in order to make a living. Just because there is a profit motive doesn't mean it's bad information. (Also doesn't mean buyer shouldn't beware.) Yep the fitness world suggests far more protein than required to minimally sustain life. It's a specialized diet, she's a generalist. Maybe that's where the disconnect has occurred.

ark · 03-31-2008, 04:10 PM

The girl is 25 and she says she has YEARSSSS of schooling! That's what cracks me up! She has maybe 6 years of schooling and obviously not much experience.

PerfectMartini · 03-31-2008, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ark

I had a conversation w/ a reg. dietician about protien needs. She said I was eating way too much protein. This was her response to me about my resource (NROL):

It is very difficult to distinguish between a credible source and a non credible source b/c people work very hard to make their info. sound right. So if your're not an expert you'd never know. One way to tell if you have no background in nutritional sciences is that if they sell something then they are usually quacks almost 100% of the time. I really am trying to help because I am a nutrition professional (with real credentials and yearssss of schooling) and it frustrates me to see people who just make stuff up and make money off it (not you- the sites, books, etc.). If I gave misinfo. i'd lose my license- they have no license or professional credibility so they're free to say whatever they want.

How would you respond to that???

The first thing I would say is that with all due respect, someone who is the fitness editor at a very popular magazine and an author of popular books is much higher on the "has something to lose" ladder than some random registered dietitian.

Also I think she is acting as a disgrace to her profession by defaming the authors of NROL, ostensibly without having even read the book. In my profession if I gave professional advice (in this case that Lou is a quack and his book is incredible so you are advised to dismiss it) without understanding what I was giving advice about, I would be subject to discipline.

Frankly it sounds like someone is jealous and is ironically using a professional affiliation that she is acting like she doesn't value much to justify insulting someone based on a fairly exhaustive use of logical fallacies.

LisaS · 03-31-2008, 04:33 PM

I wouldn't respond.

But if I were responding ...
Your protein intake may be well over the minimum required to sustain life. Is that what she's comparing against?
What is her downside about consuming over the minimum required? Where are her studies that support her point of view (don't let her go down the kidney road for a normal healthy adult).
Exactly what is her problem with how you are eating? Not where you got it - but with the actual execution?

Lost Dog · 03-31-2008, 04:44 PM

Lou's not selling protein.

smoddelm · 03-31-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ark

I had a conversation w/ a reg. dietician about protien needs. She said I was eating way too much protein.

I'm curious how much protein you told her you were eating and how much she recommended. Also, did you tell her what your fitness goals were and ask her if they would affect her recommendation?

Lost Dog · 03-31-2008, 05:02 PM

I can give you all sort of links that support "more protein" or refute the dangers, but they will all be from people with "something to sell." John Berardi, Alan Aragon, Mike Roussell, Casandra Forsythe, etc. None of them sell protein, and eating extra protein wouldn't really be a selling point on the book jacket or click-to-purchase web page. So, I don't get it.

Not believing it's correct is different. I've never heard this argument before. Does she have clients? Isn't she selling something? Like her services as a dietician?

If you're paying for an RD's services, I'd find a new one. If the RD is your friend and/or you enjoy the debate, we can provide plenty of reading material. But, the RD would have to have an open mind to go follow up on the studies cited in the materials. If they dismiss anything that says any amount over the RDA is unsafe, regardless of what they read, then move along.

BTW, this is common. I've had several doctors over the past 5 years. About 25% of them thought my average of 1g per lbs was dangerously high. Others thought it was fine and rolled their eyes when I related the panic. RDs are probably the same.

smoddelm · 03-31-2008, 05:03 PM

Did she want you to eat by the current USDA revised food pyramid? I went to their website and ran "MyPyramid."

MyPyramid.gov - United States Department of Agriculture - Home

Below are my results. I don't think this would be good for me...

fayman · 03-31-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ark

The girl is 25 and she says she has YEARSSSS of schooling! That's what cracks me up! She has maybe 6 years of schooling and obviously not much experience.

There is your answer right there. Years of schooling mean nothing without being able to apply it. Think of it...Would you listen to the guy who's studied the moon for 20 years, or the guy who's actually stood on it?

School Schmool...when she's lived and breathed her "schooling" for 6 more years, maybe I'll listen.

Jestter · 03-31-2008, 05:54 PM

I would tell her to write a book. She would make tons of money!! Everyone is going about it all wrong.

Frank.S · 03-31-2008, 07:54 PM

i would say "folllow your advice.. and look like you?"

but, im an asshole.

RedLefty · 03-31-2008, 08:23 PM

I'd think about giving her this in the exit interview:

Unless, as others have stated, she's not actually selling her services and is helping you for free. Because then that would make her different that those she's criticizing.

ark · 03-31-2008, 10:32 PM

You guys are great! Thanks for the responses!! I've had a lot of chuckles....I'm going to blow her off, she's not worth it!

JoshDunn · 03-31-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoddelm

I'm curious how much protein you told her you were eating and how much she recommended. Also, did you tell her what your fitness goals were and ask her if they would affect her recommendation?

I wondered the same thing. Protein needs will vary from person to person and with goal to goal. She might only see elderly sedentary people.

Regardless of how high you or I might think of NRL its still not a good reference. Be like referencing Mens health. Any real professional would just laugh at you.

ark · 03-31-2008, 10:59 PM

I told her I am eating 1 gm of protein per lb.. which would be 118 gms of protein a day.

Frank.S · 03-31-2008, 11:15 PM

1g/pound i wouldn't even consider a high protien diet in most cases.