Registered Dieticians Opinion on Losing Weight....

[Pitbull]

Just wanted to post some excerpts of an email I got from a Registered Dietician friend of mine on the subject of losing weight. I thought her comments were interesting. What do you guys think?
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Excerpt from Email:
--I am telling you now...if you want information on how to lose weight the correct way, you have to see an RD...not a doctor, not a physical trainer, not a coach...but a Registered Dietician...this is one area we specialize in. Do some research on the internet from professional organizations such as the American Dietetic Association or read articles from the Journal of Sports Nutrition or another accredited organization. What you don't want to do is get your information from magazines or books or articles from sources that do not have research based information. Most of the time it is peoples opinions....... What people don't realize is that you don't need some great menu plan and regimen...just consume fruits, veggies, fiber containing breads, low in fat meats and dairy products, cut out butters and dressings that have a lot of fat. I use a country crock butter with yogurt...very good

Make sure you get most of your calories (60%) from carbs, then 30% from fat and 10-12% from protein. Carbs give you energy to get through the day esp. if you are exercising.
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Opinions on what you've read here?

[The Smaniac]

Dieticians should definitely be the best sources for information, considering understanding physiology and diet is their job. However, much of the information I have learned about through message boards like this one and books is backed by research from sources such as the ADA and the Journal of Sports Nutrition. Is your dietician sensitive to the needs of an active individual, as opposed to a sedentary individual? Does she keep up with the latest research?

In my experience, what it truly boils down to is do what works for you. Eating whole foods is just a good policy for everyday life; carb controlling, nutrient timing, and macronutrient ratios are only as important as you think they are. But then again, I'm not a registered dietician, nor do I profess to have any more than "sweat equity" to back up my statements.

[Philo_Beto]

Nutrition is an inexact science. However, I would concur that a registered dietician has sound credentials to offer advice in this field.They are Experts in the field. however, there are not unlike other professions, such as doctors (some good, some average, some bad.) so be careful and do your research and stay away from fad diets.

[Johnka]

Overall her basic eating rules are fine, but those are very low protein recommendations. Many studies in peer-reviewed journals have shown that getting more protein than this will not hurt, and is beneficial.

I also think she should stress a good fatty-acid balance. What about fish?

I find it odd that she uses Country Crock, which has partially hydrogenated soybean oil.

[Pitbull]

So even the Country Crock made with yogurt has partially hydrogenated soybean oils?

[Clark]

Interesting....I really continue to find that the advice from RD's is aimed at those who make up the general populace of our nation, who by the way, generally eat horribly. So, the advice from the RD above probably is assuming that you are eating terribly (ie fast foods and proccessed foods mostly). No doubt what she says applies and would help you lose weight (fat and MUSCLE).

However, this person's advice, IMO, once you have achieved your desired weight loss would be obsolete if you wanted to continue to lose fat and retain muscle.

For some reason RD's only talk about weight loss and not fat loss...maybe they think America is too lazy to think about the two different things separately and would only further confuse a public that definitely does not need more confusing at this point.