"I ate a corn dog" and other confessions from an RD

[hot dog on a stick encrusted in ramen]

It's true. A new place opened near me serving hot dogs encrusted in a crispy ramen noodle coating. The salt. The fat. The crunch. The wild electric activity in the pleasure centers of my brain. Come on. This fusion represented my nutrition upbringing as a Filipina-American. Why would I hold back on this savory sensation of hedonic nostalgia?

I imagine--edit that, recall--the types of reactions I often get when others see me having a treat.

But aren't you a dietitian?

Ugh, that stuff is awful for you.

The carbs!

Ironically, when I order a salad or put half my meal in a to-go box, people will still react:

Is that all you're eating?

Poor dietitians can't catch a break. But fortunately, we're professionals. We know what we're doing.

At least half of our plates will be vegetables most of the time. Our proteins are lean and often from plants. We include fat in most of our meals--but typically the healthy kind.

DASH Diet plate: royalty-free stock image available at platemethodpics.com

To be honest, there are some things that I neurotically avoid. Soda, a concoction of chemical additives and sugar, scares me. Little cakes and pastries preserved in boxes with expiration dates far into the future scare me. Added sugar generally scares me.

Otherwise, I like to think I have a positive relationship with food, health minded but flexible. Intuitively and expertly, I know that an occasional indulgence won't shut down my metabolic health. The body is way too cool for that. Without a metabolic disorder, insulin levels, kidney filtration, liver detoxification, and cellular activity will respond accordingly.

However, as a health educator, the lesson I teach is that repeated slings and arrows invite misfortune. The body can only take so much. The harder you push it, the faster it will break down.

I encourage minimally processed foods most of the time, with an abundance of plant foods--and by the way, most carbs are from plants. Portion, balance, timing and overall mindfulness are key ingredients for good health, especially when mixed with regular physical activity.

Oh, and about physical activity, whether you do it in the morning or after work, walking or HIIT, at home or at the gym, just keep moving. As long as it's safe. Strength versus cardio? Both are important--the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans says it all (and just because they're government recommendations does not make it a conspiracy--it's mostly common sense).

As we enter the New Year, and our patients are ready and motivated, let's remember that sustainability is the ultimate determinant of a healthy diet. Flexibility is not only easier to maintain, but kinder and gentler too. Goodness knows our world needs more of that these days.

So when your patients ask, "Which foods should I never have?" and tell you that they gave up bread, potatoes, and the overall pleasure of eating, show them the plate method, encourage variety, and be kind.

Happy Holidays.

The Plate Method is a flexible, balanced approach to healthy eating.

The more examples health educators show, the more reassurance they give their patients.

Download a variety of affordable, royalty-free stock photos from platemethodpics.com.