What are you passionate about?  Chances are, you look at the things you love in a completely different way from those who don’t love the same things. I love to hear about why you love what you do.  Your face lights up and you come to life when you talk about your passions!  My life as a Registered Dietitian (RD) lends me those same traits…I light up on the inside, so I’m sure it shows on the outside!

As I’m writing, I’m in my pj’s (I think that could be a trend) having coffee (still, though it’s after 4 p.m.) and watching the birds come to my back deck for food. The ground here is still snow-covered, and I figured they’re pretty hungry (see, it’s always about food).  Both the male and female cardinals have captured my heart…they’re just so beautiful, and I could watch them all day!

Speaking of birds, I don’t know how the saying, “eats like a bird,” came to refer to eating tiny amounts, because believe me, birds can put away some serious volume!

Food is one thing we have in common with everyone.  Everyone needs nutrition, and I like to think we all want good health.  So, no matter who I come in contact with, I always feel comfortable talking about food.  It’s my passion…I love to buy it, grow it, cook it, chop it, prepare it, look at it, photograph it, share it, teach about it, learn about it, discuss it, and of course, EAT it!

When you think of a RD, you may think everything we eat all the time is healthy or we just eat a bunch of salads, so I thought I’d share some fun, light-hearted behind-the-scenes views (both serious and not-so-serious) of the RD/food life from my perspective.  I’m totally sparing you a large portion of the clinical view (you will thank me!).

We like Oreos and chocolate cake, too.  So many times, I hear, “Oh, you’re a dietitian, I’ll bet you eat really healthy all the time.”  Yes, I do eat really healthy, but sometimes, I partake in the occasional indulgence.  And I believe in eating birthday cake for breakfast–not for everyone’s birthday, but just mine!  (p.s.–I eat gluten free, and I’ve found that the glutino chocolate vanilla crème cookies are a perfect Oreo replacement!  They’re also non-GMO.)

Our grocery cart items get a lot of attention. Yep, when I run into people who only know me professionally, they look into my cart to see what things The Dietitian approves.  I actually don’t mind it.  Sometimes, it helps hold me accountable.

We eat more than salad.  True story.  We even eat potatoes. And bread. (Sometimes, they’re even good for you!)  But seriously, with the wide array of salads out there, we could all find a salad every day that we like…one that has a variety of good-for-you nutrients!

We don’t double as the cook of the hospital.  Patients think we have time to cook 3 meals a day for 300 patients and find time to come visit them.  That would take some serious skill!

We aren’t judging your meals when we go out. I notice what people order to eat, because I just love knowing what people like, but I’m not judging you.  I might even ask for one French fry.

There’s a reason we don’t buy into the “I just want to die happy” mentality.  I agree with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but when the foods you eat are hurting you and you are in the hospital for the 30th time because you can’t breathe and you’re hooked up to several machines scheduled for more tests and procedures, you aren’t happy.  Neither are your loved ones. It’s quite the paradox.  This one can carry its weight as a whole post by itself.

Zero-calorie does not equate healthy, and I won’t say it does.  You may have strawberry-flavored water, but what made it flavored? Sometimes, a chemical. Congratulations on wanting to drink more water and drop sodas, but add some sliced strawberries to your water to flavor it more healthfully.  Diet sodas…equally unhealthy.  I have my own history with these, too, but knowledge really is power, and once you know, you have the power to make better, more-informed decisions, which is what I’ve done.

We don’t know the small details of every diet plan.  I honestly try to keep up with them…the grapefruit diet, the Paleo diet, the Eat-for-Your-Type diet, etc.  There are so many and anyone can make up their own and throw it to the masses, but the key lies in establishing a sustainable, healthy pattern and routine.  What does “in moderation” even mean anymore?

Not all my food is pretty.  I love to share photos of my food.  I enjoy the creative aspect of making it pretty, and I hope, too, that it will serve as encouragement and inspiration for others who want to try something new and healthy.  Sometimes, though, it really doesn’t turn out the way I want.  It’s all fun practice, though!

We struggle with juggling time and family life, too. Not every meal comes together seamlessly.  Planning is key, and if your kids are old enough to help, enlist them! You will arm them with key skills that they will carry throughout their lifetime.  Also, kids are more likely to try new foods if they have lent a hand in preparing them!  Know that I’ve been there, and I’ve discovered what works!

We don’t believe it costs more to eat healthfully.  It doesn’t.  If you leave out the junk food and extras, eat the correct portions, and skip the fast food restaurants, that will save you a bundle and you will feel 100 times better.  There’s much more nutrition in that $0.32 banana than the $0.99 box of fries. Try it!

I would love to hear about some of the hidden aspects of your job and some of the unusual expectations and thoughts that others have about what you do.  I think it opens the doors to a greater understanding of and an appreciation for each other.  And it’s fun, right?

Now, I need to chop and prepare a few items to set me up for success and health in the coming week!  May you make happy, healthy kitchen memories this week!