So I went to a nutritionist

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  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
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    I'm really shocked that 50-grams of protein was considered adequate for you. If your consuming too many carbs and your protein is good at 50-grams, then did they recommend that you reduce carbs in-favor of fat? Which is fine if they did, I didn't catch that in the responses. If your calories are good then you can't just cut carbs because you're cutting total calories. You may want to find a dietician; as somebody mentioned earlier there are way different standards.

    RE Rhodiola: So far I've read one peer-reviewed research and one peer-reviewed meta-analysis and neither indicate that Rhodiola is successful in increasing energy; best-case scenario is that it's unclear. Although it's seems to do better with Rats. LOL

    RE Vit-B6/B12 Supp: Unless your anemic or your food choices are horrible, then there's no benefit for any real supplementation of either beyond what's in your food and at most a multi-vitamin. There is a ton of information out there about Vitamin B and pregnant women, but I don't think that's the case here. Vitamin B does not give energy either, often misunderstood. It is involved in bodily processes that help produce energy but by themselves they are not energy providing.

    Definitely consult with a registered dietician and a doctor. It could be hormonal and it could also be psychological in-nature.

    She told me my fat and protein were fine the way they were, but that my carbs needed to go down. And that my calories are fine, even though I think they might be too high. I don't know...
    If you reduce carbs but not calories, you have to make up those calories in fat or protein. All calories are either crabs, fat or protein. She didn't recommend which to up in favor of reducing carbs?

    Nope. I think she did want me to replace grains with vegetables, which would keep my carb levels similar. She didn't tell me to up protein or fat.
    While vegetables have carbs, you'd have to eat a LOT to get to the same carb level.

    I think you got what you paid for with this woman. Sorry. :-( I think, logically and assuming you don't have an underlying health issue, you are simply eating more than you should be in order to lose.

    I also concur with others who think you look perfectly fine. How tall are you?
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
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    Why do you feel you need to get used to "bland american-style vegetables"? What does that even mean? You are perfectly allowed and capable of cooking vegetable in any fashion you choose. Just make sure you log any extra oils or sauces you may add to them.
  • malavika413
    malavika413 Posts: 474 Member
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    I'm really shocked that 50-grams of protein was considered adequate for you. If your consuming too many carbs and your protein is good at 50-grams, then did they recommend that you reduce carbs in-favor of fat? Which is fine if they did, I didn't catch that in the responses. If your calories are good then you can't just cut carbs because you're cutting total calories. You may want to find a dietician; as somebody mentioned earlier there are way different standards.

    RE Rhodiola: So far I've read one peer-reviewed research and one peer-reviewed meta-analysis and neither indicate that Rhodiola is successful in increasing energy; best-case scenario is that it's unclear. Although it's seems to do better with Rats. LOL

    RE Vit-B6/B12 Supp: Unless your anemic or your food choices are horrible, then there's no benefit for any real supplementation of either beyond what's in your food and at most a multi-vitamin. There is a ton of information out there about Vitamin B and pregnant women, but I don't think that's the case here. Vitamin B does not give energy either, often misunderstood. It is involved in bodily processes that help produce energy but by themselves they are not energy providing.

    Definitely consult with a registered dietician and a doctor. It could be hormonal and it could also be psychological in-nature.

    She told me my fat and protein were fine the way they were, but that my carbs needed to go down. And that my calories are fine, even though I think they might be too high. I don't know...
    If you reduce carbs but not calories, you have to make up those calories in fat or protein. All calories are either crabs, fat or protein. She didn't recommend which to up in favor of reducing carbs?

    Nope. I think she did want me to replace grains with vegetables, which would keep my carb levels similar. She didn't tell me to up protein or fat.
    While vegetables have carbs, you'd have to eat a LOT to get to the same carb level.

    I think you got what you paid for with this woman. Sorry. :-( I think, logically and assuming you don't have an underlying health issue, you are simply eating more than you should be in order to lose.

    I also concur with others who think you look perfectly fine. How tall are you?

    I'm 5'3 and 150 pounds, so indeed overweight. I think everyone is looking at my skinny sister standing next to me. :)
  • malavika413
    malavika413 Posts: 474 Member
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    Why do you feel you need to get used to "bland american-style vegetables"? What does that even mean? You are perfectly allowed and capable of cooking vegetable in any fashion you choose. Just make sure you log any extra oils or sauces you may add to them.

    Can't cook, I'm on a college meal plan. At this college everything is just steamed without any seasoning whatsoever, or roasted with just plain salt or something. It's horrible.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
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    I'm really shocked that 50-grams of protein was considered adequate for you. If your consuming too many carbs and your protein is good at 50-grams, then did they recommend that you reduce carbs in-favor of fat? Which is fine if they did, I didn't catch that in the responses. If your calories are good then you can't just cut carbs because you're cutting total calories. You may want to find a dietician; as somebody mentioned earlier there are way different standards.

    RE Rhodiola: So far I've read one peer-reviewed research and one peer-reviewed meta-analysis and neither indicate that Rhodiola is successful in increasing energy; best-case scenario is that it's unclear. Although it's seems to do better with Rats. LOL

    RE Vit-B6/B12 Supp: Unless your anemic or your food choices are horrible, then there's no benefit for any real supplementation of either beyond what's in your food and at most a multi-vitamin. There is a ton of information out there about Vitamin B and pregnant women, but I don't think that's the case here. Vitamin B does not give energy either, often misunderstood. It is involved in bodily processes that help produce energy but by themselves they are not energy providing.

    Definitely consult with a registered dietician and a doctor. It could be hormonal and it could also be psychological in-nature.

    She told me my fat and protein were fine the way they were, but that my carbs needed to go down. And that my calories are fine, even though I think they might be too high. I don't know...
    If you reduce carbs but not calories, you have to make up those calories in fat or protein. All calories are either crabs, fat or protein. She didn't recommend which to up in favor of reducing carbs?

    Nope. I think she did want me to replace grains with vegetables, which would keep my carb levels similar. She didn't tell me to up protein or fat.

    Then I'm very sorry to say that you're probably getting screwed out of your money. This nutritionist does not sound like she knows what she's talking about. I strongly recommend seeing a registered dietitian. They are not the same thing. An RD actually has real schooling in dietetics and credentials. You need none of those to call yourself a "nutritionist". (Source: I'm a dietetics student)
  • lindsey1979
    lindsey1979 Posts: 2,395 Member
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    Fatigue can be a symptom of a lot of things -- thyroid problems, adrenal problems, insulin resistance, vitamin D deficiency, depression, among others. I'd recommend speaking to a metabolic specialist that can address or check for these various issues through other symptoms and order any tests if they become necessary.

    I'm also surprised that 50g of protein was considered adequate. I personally aim for 0.7 g/lb bodyweight (or 1 g per 1 lb LBM) as that amount has shown to help with maintaining LBM while in a caloric deficit.

    I do think cutting down on the carbs and/or processed foods may help a lot. Many find that when they do so and up their veggies/fruits, that they have more energy and can eat more (since those foods tend to not be as calorically dense but more nutrient dense -- especially veggies).

    Do you have any other symptoms other than fatigue? Constipation, dry skin/hair, brittle nails, cold (especially in hands/feet)? Strong cravings for carbs or sugar, especially after having eaten a lot of carbs/sugar a little while before? Difficulty losing/maintaining weight despite a good calorie balance? Is it possible that you're pregnant?
  • malavika413
    malavika413 Posts: 474 Member
    Options
    I'm really shocked that 50-grams of protein was considered adequate for you. If your consuming too many carbs and your protein is good at 50-grams, then did they recommend that you reduce carbs in-favor of fat? Which is fine if they did, I didn't catch that in the responses. If your calories are good then you can't just cut carbs because you're cutting total calories. You may want to find a dietician; as somebody mentioned earlier there are way different standards.

    RE Rhodiola: So far I've read one peer-reviewed research and one peer-reviewed meta-analysis and neither indicate that Rhodiola is successful in increasing energy; best-case scenario is that it's unclear. Although it's seems to do better with Rats. LOL

    RE Vit-B6/B12 Supp: Unless your anemic or your food choices are horrible, then there's no benefit for any real supplementation of either beyond what's in your food and at most a multi-vitamin. There is a ton of information out there about Vitamin B and pregnant women, but I don't think that's the case here. Vitamin B does not give energy either, often misunderstood. It is involved in bodily processes that help produce energy but by themselves they are not energy providing.

    Definitely consult with a registered dietician and a doctor. It could be hormonal and it could also be psychological in-nature.

    She told me my fat and protein were fine the way they were, but that my carbs needed to go down. And that my calories are fine, even though I think they might be too high. I don't know...
    If you reduce carbs but not calories, you have to make up those calories in fat or protein. All calories are either crabs, fat or protein. She didn't recommend which to up in favor of reducing carbs?

    Nope. I think she did want me to replace grains with vegetables, which would keep my carb levels similar. She didn't tell me to up protein or fat.

    Then I'm very sorry to say that you're probably getting screwed out of your money. This nutritionist does not sound like she knows what she's talking about. I strongly recommend seeing a registered dietitian. They are not the same thing. An RD actually has real schooling in dietetics and credentials. You need none of those to call yourself a "nutritionist". (Source: I'm a dietetics student)

    She was a dietitian, actually. I used the wrong terminology earlier.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Options
    I'm really shocked that 50-grams of protein was considered adequate for you. If your consuming too many carbs and your protein is good at 50-grams, then did they recommend that you reduce carbs in-favor of fat? Which is fine if they did, I didn't catch that in the responses. If your calories are good then you can't just cut carbs because you're cutting total calories. You may want to find a dietician; as somebody mentioned earlier there are way different standards.

    RE Rhodiola: So far I've read one peer-reviewed research and one peer-reviewed meta-analysis and neither indicate that Rhodiola is successful in increasing energy; best-case scenario is that it's unclear. Although it's seems to do better with Rats. LOL

    RE Vit-B6/B12 Supp: Unless your anemic or your food choices are horrible, then there's no benefit for any real supplementation of either beyond what's in your food and at most a multi-vitamin. There is a ton of information out there about Vitamin B and pregnant women, but I don't think that's the case here. Vitamin B does not give energy either, often misunderstood. It is involved in bodily processes that help produce energy but by themselves they are not energy providing.

    Definitely consult with a registered dietician and a doctor. It could be hormonal and it could also be psychological in-nature.

    She told me my fat and protein were fine the way they were, but that my carbs needed to go down. And that my calories are fine, even though I think they might be too high. I don't know...
    If you reduce carbs but not calories, you have to make up those calories in fat or protein. All calories are either crabs, fat or protein. She didn't recommend which to up in favor of reducing carbs?

    Nope. I think she did want me to replace grains with vegetables, which would keep my carb levels similar. She didn't tell me to up protein or fat.
    While vegetables have carbs, you'd have to eat a LOT to get to the same carb level.

    I think you got what you paid for with this woman. Sorry. :-( I think, logically and assuming you don't have an underlying health issue, you are simply eating more than you should be in order to lose.

    I also concur with others who think you look perfectly fine. How tall are you?

    I'm 5'3 and 150 pounds, so indeed overweight. I think everyone is looking at my skinny sister standing next to me. :)
    Nah. There are two skinny girls in that picture. I assume you are on the left?

    I'm also 5'3". 150 is indeed overweight, but not terribly so and you carry it well.

    Good luck. :-)
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
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    Why do you feel you need to get used to "bland american-style vegetables"? What does that even mean? You are perfectly allowed and capable of cooking vegetable in any fashion you choose. Just make sure you log any extra oils or sauces you may add to them.

    Can't cook, I'm on a college meal plan. At this college everything is just steamed without any seasoning whatsoever, or roasted with just plain salt or something. It's horrible.

    I feel your pain. That must suck.

    Solution: You can buy shakers or packets of McCormick's (or other similar brands) seasonings. Keep a few in your purse and add them to your plate when you go to the cafeteria. You might get weird looks, but who cares? :)
  • perseverance14
    perseverance14 Posts: 1,364 Member
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    I tried Rhodiola once on the advice of my Sister, and it did not go well, it made me break out and other unpleasant things, so I stopped it. I eat at least a gram per lb. of my body weight per day, I do eat too many carbs sometimes, try not to but lifting makes you hungry.
  • malavika413
    malavika413 Posts: 474 Member
    Options
    I'm really shocked that 50-grams of protein was considered adequate for you. If your consuming too many carbs and your protein is good at 50-grams, then did they recommend that you reduce carbs in-favor of fat? Which is fine if they did, I didn't catch that in the responses. If your calories are good then you can't just cut carbs because you're cutting total calories. You may want to find a dietician; as somebody mentioned earlier there are way different standards.

    RE Rhodiola: So far I've read one peer-reviewed research and one peer-reviewed meta-analysis and neither indicate that Rhodiola is successful in increasing energy; best-case scenario is that it's unclear. Although it's seems to do better with Rats. LOL

    RE Vit-B6/B12 Supp: Unless your anemic or your food choices are horrible, then there's no benefit for any real supplementation of either beyond what's in your food and at most a multi-vitamin. There is a ton of information out there about Vitamin B and pregnant women, but I don't think that's the case here. Vitamin B does not give energy either, often misunderstood. It is involved in bodily processes that help produce energy but by themselves they are not energy providing.

    Definitely consult with a registered dietician and a doctor. It could be hormonal and it could also be psychological in-nature.

    She told me my fat and protein were fine the way they were, but that my carbs needed to go down. And that my calories are fine, even though I think they might be too high. I don't know...
    If you reduce carbs but not calories, you have to make up those calories in fat or protein. All calories are either crabs, fat or protein. She didn't recommend which to up in favor of reducing carbs?

    Nope. I think she did want me to replace grains with vegetables, which would keep my carb levels similar. She didn't tell me to up protein or fat.
    While vegetables have carbs, you'd have to eat a LOT to get to the same carb level.

    I think you got what you paid for with this woman. Sorry. :-( I think, logically and assuming you don't have an underlying health issue, you are simply eating more than you should be in order to lose.

    I also concur with others who think you look perfectly fine. How tall are you?

    I'm 5'3 and 150 pounds, so indeed overweight. I think everyone is looking at my skinny sister standing next to me. :)
    Nah. There are two skinny girls in that picture. I assume you are on the left?

    I'm also 5'3". 150 is indeed overweight, but not terribly so and you carry it well.

    Good luck. :-)

    I am on the left. I've always compared myself to my sister, who's my height and 50 pounds lighter. But she is 15. Thanks for your kind words, I try my best to dress for my body type.
  • Suzanne_17
    Suzanne_17 Posts: 1 Member
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    No sure why you haven't lossed, but as far as tiredness goes, you could be Iron deficient.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
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    As far as fatigue I would suggest it would help with 1.) an iron supplement, 2.) a vitamin D supplement, 3.) a vitamin b12 supplement.

    Of course the more fruits/veggies the more vitamins and minerals would be in your diet anyway.

    As far as cals, you are probably underestimating. Especially considering you're eating food prepared at your university; not by yourself.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
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    I guess I'll have to get used to bland, American-style vegetables

    What are American-style vegetables? There are no laws restricting how one can cook veggies in the US, and the veggies available vary quite a bit.

    I don't see how it could hurt to try what the nutritionist is saying on the food, although if you cut carbs you might end up kicking up protein anyway (I feel better on more protein than you are eating). I'm sufficiently skeptical re the supplement that I might look for a different dietician though. (Isn't it a dietician who is supposed to be worth seeing, not a nutritionist?)
  • malavika413
    malavika413 Posts: 474 Member
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    I guess I'll have to get used to bland, American-style vegetables

    What are American-style vegetables? There are no laws restricting how one can cook veggies in the US, and the veggies available vary quite a bit.

    I don't see how it could hurt to try what the nutritionist is saying.

    I'm on a college meal plan. At home, vegetables are well seasoned and delicious.

    I'm just a bit wary of her advice on my calorie intake, my protein levels, and this strange herbal supplement.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
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    Yeah, agree on the supplement and I should have read the whole thread.

    It's not really fair to dismiss all US cooking (let alone veggies) based on college dining halls, but I see the issue. It's better to eat the veggies anyway, though.

    I do think it's worth experimenting with different macro ratios -- try lowing carbs a bit (as I recall the college dining hall it could be pretty carb centric) and eating more protein and fat, especially if you have access to fats like avocado (I'm skeptical, but if you do), nuts, olive and vinegar as salad dressing, etc. I know I feel better and lose better (because I feel better and more satiated and tend to have more energy) when I have a macro balance that works better for me. It also tends to help with mood swings some. Your dietician can't tell you what that is, though--you'd have to experiment.

    Your protein is within the recommended daily amount, but if on reduced calories and doing exercise I personally think you'd be better off with more. I wonder if she just assumed that you'd adjust in lowering carbs. But that might be giving her too much credit.
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
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    As far as fatigue I would suggest it would help with 1.) an iron supplement, 2.) a vitamin D supplement, 3.) a vitamin b12 supplement.

    Of course the more fruits/veggies the more vitamins and minerals would be in your diet anyway.

    As far as cals, you are probably underestimating. Especially considering you're eating food prepared at your university; not by yourself.

    You shouldn't supplement willy-nilly without knowing there is actually a deficit! You can also get too much of vitamins (esp iron).

    Malavika - My advice truly is set aside weight loss for the time being and focus on feeling better physically (as others have said, you look very good in your photo!). There are a number of simple explanations/interventions that are likely to help: continue to work on depression, increase sleep, start getting more exercise, and increase fruits and veggies. Pick whichever one seems most doable to you and start there, but plan to address the other areas eventually as well. If you still aren't feeling better and/or you have other symptoms indicating there might be something else going on, see your doctor and get a comprehensive blood panel.

    With these changes, you may even just naturally lose weight. If not, when you are feeling more yourself would be a good time to focus specifically on a calorie deficit if you still want to lose weight.
  • Kontxesi
    Kontxesi Posts: 86 Member
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    A few questions about your fatigue/exhaustion:

    - do you feel miserable in the morning even when you got 7-9 hours of sleep?
    - are you tired all day but then have a hard time falling/staying asleep at night?
  • malavika413
    malavika413 Posts: 474 Member
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    A few questions about your fatigue/exhaustion:

    - do you feel miserable in the morning even when you got 7-9 hours of sleep?
    - are you tired all day but then have a hard time falling/staying asleep at night?

    9 is usually a sweet spot for me, but I can only get 9 hours on the weekends. Otherwise, yes, I'm miserable in the mornings.
    To the second question, yes.