We recently had a nutrition seminar and highlighted the basics of healthy eating. Topics ranged from “what is a nutrient” to “do I need to and how to track food”. Spoiler alert if you missed it, BUT the answer is a resounding NO!

However, one key point that may have been one of the most important, was that there are may false dichotomies to get swept up in when it comes to incorrect advice around “best” nourishment practices. We talked about something similar a while back as it pertains to fitness influencers mucking up what could be a helpful environment with fitness misinformation here.   This week’s article is aims to recap just how wrong, misleading, and ultimately harmful some of these common nutrition “best practice” dichotomies can be. During a time when many of you may be feeling the urge to dial things in for your diet around approaching swimsuit season, it may be worth exploring what matter most by zooming out to find the forest from the trees.

In the whimsical world of nutrition, where team avocado toast and team kale smoothie face off in the ultimate showdown, there's a tale as old as time that pits low carb diets against their arch-nemesis, low fat diets, in a battle royale for the weight loss crown. But what if I let you in on a little secret? This showdown is more akin to a Hollywood spaghetti Western showdown. Ultimately it doesn’t matter when it comes to fat loss, pick your favorite heroin.

Indeed, when it comes to tipping the scales in your favor, the real trick lies in the basics of calorie counting and the wisdom of mindful eating. Let’s break it down along with a few others.

The Dining Dilemma

Envision two pals at a brunch spot, one nibbling on a bunless, cheese-drenched, low-carb masterpiece, the other wrapping their hands around a veggie-packed, low-fat delicacy. Both swear by their diet's, but the real magic may have come from the fact that both are now paying far closer attention to what they are now putting in their bodies than before, perhaps they are also engaging in other healthy behaviors previously ignored as part of this new focus, and what’s more… both diets involve drastically reducing a key nutrient (carb or fat). In doing so, calories are inadvertently/advertently slashed!

Science Serves the Tea

Dive into the annals of nutritional science, and you'll find studies eager to play mediator in this long-standing feud. These scholarly endeavors reveal that when calories are kept on a tight leash, whether you’re team low carb or team low fat matters much less than we thought. This plot twist isn’t limited to just these two; the nutrition narrative is brimming with false dichotomies.

• Sugar vs. Artificial Sweeteners: The sweet skirmish rages on, but moderation and context are key, not choosing sides. The dose often makes the poison and there are many other factors at play

• Plant-based vs. Meat-heavy Diets: It turns out, the quality of your food choices and overall dietary pattern hold the true power, not strictly the kingdom your food comes from. Arguably, we can get all of our essential nutrients from both diets with considerations.

• Intermittent Fasting vs. Traditional Meal Schedules: The clock might not be as mighty as the calorie, with success hinging more on total intake than timing. It may just be that the clock is a better tool for some than others. Pick what works best for you.

Each of these false dichotomies are presented and repackaged time and time again, so please be cautious when you see anything new that claims anything is “superior” or “conclusive”. Both in science and individual experience, we need to be open to being wrong and that things don’t always hold true for every circumstance.

The Real Deal

So, where does true nutritional success lie? In the realm of eating more, the same, or less than we burn with nutrient dense foods based on your goals! However, also in the kingdom of conscious choice-making, balance, and also joy in our eating. It’s in recognizing that the "best" diet is akin to a custom-made outfit—tailored to fit you perfectly in comfort, style, and sustainability.

Myth Busting and Beyond

As you come to unravel the complex web of nutrition dichotomies, you will be greeted with a comforting epiphany: good eating is about harmony, attentiveness, and embracing the diversity of our dietary needs and preferences. You need to pick what works best for you while satisfying your nutrient needs. There are fundamental requirements your body will have, but how you get those nutrients and in what fashion can happen in many ways.

In May, we open spots for our Holistic Health Coaching. This is a great way to build healthy eating fundamentals and create a blueprint to optimize your wellness. As we discussed in the seminar, there may be nothing more important than what you put in your body. We will show you how to find what works best for you and also navigate many other dimensions integral to increasing health span.

Sign-Up for a free consult and reserve your spot here.