Went to a Registered Dietician. WOW!

24

Replies

  • I think it's really important to remember the dietitian was working with you individually and basing the needs of your current standing. Not being a pre-diabetic, I can see having the carbs is okay, but being pre-hypertensive..I can see the decrease in protein..however, I think maybe more of an explanation as to why and to which type of protein intake. Possibly because people tend to get a lot of protein from chicken/steak and such. Being pre-hypertensive you already putting extra work on your blood vessels and heart...therefore, adding that extra cholesterol from the steaks and such, isn't doing any good. Maybe a suggestion of changing to a protein powder or something because your heart is a muscle and you need the amino acids from that protein....so I think her clarification was needed.
  • Bootjockey
    Bootjockey Posts: 208 Member
    Hi FatBoy,

    I can tell you that I have followed the same plan (45/25/30) (except I modified mine to 45/28/27), and it helped me lose my weight (-257lbs).

    Don't be angry at me for saying this...this is just my interpretation....

    You said "That would allow me 2 oz of protein per meal if I were to eat 5 small meals a day. Honestly 2 oz is not really worth it. That's not even a forkful of chicken breast....crazy"

    Why would you eat five meals (even small ones) per day?

    My interpretation, from the way you write, is that you aren't really ready or committed to a real change. It sounds like you just aren't ready to make a life change. Or maybe are confused by years of conflicting advice.

    ARE you ready?

    Because if you are, I think you received sound advice, and you should take what you were told as gospel for six months, and see what happens.

    I bet you'll be well on your "weigh" down to a healthy weight in that time.

    Best of luck to you on your journey!

    -David / BootJockey
    -257lbs
    Hi all,

    I was recently put on high blood pressure pills. I've been fighting borderline hypertension for the last 25 years. I can use to lose around 40-45 pounds and have been on and off MFP for the last 2 years. To make a long story short, I had my Dr. refer me to the Diabetes clinic at the local hospital to see a registered dietician. I'm a bit confused on what she told me to do. I had been on a modest high protein, vegetable, low carb eating plan for a while now. Not losing any weight and eating around 1800-2000 calories a day. That is what MFP has me at for my height and weight. (5'10" 238 pounds). For the most part I am keeping within the different categories, keeping sodium under 1200 a day and struggling to keep sugar around 40 which once again is what MFP has set.

    The dietician told me to get 45% of my calories from carbs, 25% from protein and 30% from fat. This is based off 2100 calories per day. Does this sound right to the MFP community? That would allow me 2 oz of protein per meal if I were to eat 5 small meals a day. Honestly 2 oz is not really worth it. That's not even a forkful of chicken breast....crazy. The other thing that shocked me was this was coming from a diabetic clinic. My father has been a diabetic for over 40 years and they tell him to limit the carbs due to insulin resistance. Once again strange.

    Can maybe some of you explain this to me so I can better understand something that I might have missed.
    Thank you for the advice.
    FATBOY235
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    I think I see what you did there. For 25% of 2100 calories, that gives you 525 calories of protein which is about 131 grams of protein (4 calories per gram). That doesn't necessary convert directly to ounces of meat.

    Prime example - say you want a pork chop for dinner. One portion is 131 grams or about 4.5 oz but that chop only has about 32 grams of protein in it. Hell, you could have had a few eggs for breakfast, a yogurt for snack and a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch and then have a couple of those chops for dinner and you'd probably still be well within your protein limit for the day.

    Meat isn't just protein, it's also sodium and fat and vitamins and even a tiny bit of carbs.
  • TheSlorax
    TheSlorax Posts: 2,401 Member
    I think I see what you did there. For 25% of 2100 calories, that gives you 525 calories of protein which is about 131 grams of protein (4 calories per gram). That doesn't necessary convert directly to ounces of meat.

    Prime example - say you want a pork chop for dinner. One portion is 131 grams or about 4.5 oz but that chop only has about 32 grams of protein in it. Hell, you could have had a few eggs for breakfast, a yogurt for snack and a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch and then have a couple of those chops for dinner and you'd probably still be well within your protein limit for the day.

    Meat isn't just protein, it's also sodium and fat and vitamins and even a tiny bit of carbs.

    Pretty good info here, and even if he did allow himself 131g on 5 meals it would be about 26g per meal. I was more blown away by the 2oz of chicken being one bite. I mean, I am well accustomed to the ways of being a good girlfriend, and still... 2oz of chicken... all at once? :noway: Unless I'm still missing something...
  • ninjakitty419
    ninjakitty419 Posts: 349 Member
    That would allow me 2 oz of protein per meal if I were to eat 5 small meals a day. Honestly 2 oz is not really worth it. That's not even a forkful of chicken breast....crazy.

    I am certainly not qualified to comment on the rest of your post or questions, but are you weighing out your portions? I have a hard time believing that 2oz of chicken is "not even a forkful." 3oz is about the size of a palm.

    Meat1-300x240.jpg

    Granted that is about 1/3 bigger than you would allow yourself to meet your macros, but still seems like it's significantly more than one forkful. Unless I'm missing something and you just take enormous bites, lol.


    That was the thing that stuck out to me, too.
  • moxiept
    moxiept Posts: 200 Member
    That would allow me 2 oz of protein per meal if I were to eat 5 small meals a day. Honestly 2 oz is not really worth it. That's not even a forkful of chicken breast....crazy.

    I am certainly not qualified to comment on the rest of your post or questions, but are you weighing out your portions? I have a hard time believing that 2oz of chicken is "not even a forkful." 3oz is about the size of a palm.

    Meat1-300x240.jpg

    Granted that is about 1/3 bigger than you would allow yourself to meet your macros, but still seems like it's significantly more than one forkful. Unless I'm missing something and you just take enormous bites, lol.


    That was the thing that stuck out to me, too.

    I can feel what the OP is saying. I am a big meat eater and to reduce to 2 oz for me would be challenging. It's like telling a person who loves sweets, you can have 2 bites and that's it. If it's that's all I can have, its almost like why bother then?
  • TheSlorax
    TheSlorax Posts: 2,401 Member
    That would allow me 2 oz of protein per meal if I were to eat 5 small meals a day. Honestly 2 oz is not really worth it. That's not even a forkful of chicken breast....crazy.

    I am certainly not qualified to comment on the rest of your post or questions, but are you weighing out your portions? I have a hard time believing that 2oz of chicken is "not even a forkful." 3oz is about the size of a palm.

    Meat1-300x240.jpg

    Granted that is about 1/3 bigger than you would allow yourself to meet your macros, but still seems like it's significantly more than one forkful. Unless I'm missing something and you just take enormous bites, lol.


    That was the thing that stuck out to me, too.

    I can feel what the OP is saying. I am a big meat eater and to reduce to 2 oz for me would be challenging. It's like telling a person who loves sweets, you can have 2 bites and that's it. If it's that's all I can have, its almost like why bother then?

    Totally get that too so I went along with it at first, and then went back and re-read and decided it was too specific to be ignored. I am pretty sure it's one of three things: the OP's portion sizes are really off, he really WAS just exaggerating, or he eats with oversized utensils and takes huge bites. The suspense is, needless to say, killing me.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    You must listen to all dietitians, doctors and nutritionists because they are qualified.

    At least that's what everyone told me when I made a thread to help people for free.


    Look whos laaaaaaaaughing nowwwwwww :---)
    In reality though you are just some random person off the internet so why should anyone believe what you say above above a health professional who has actually met the person and assessed them.
  • mrmagee3
    mrmagee3 Posts: 518 Member
    I'm going on the assumption that you are either diabetic or pre-diabetic. If that's not the case, then you have the options for more flexibility.

    I'm a T2 diabetic, personally, and was medicated for years, but no longer need to take the medicine. One of the first things I did once I was diagnosed was to test my blood sugar extremely frequently, after eating foods. In the morning each day, I'd pick a "new" food, eat it, and then check my blood sugar in intervals afterwards. You could probably do this in a less anal-retentive manner by doing it after certain meals, and seeing how the meal as a whole effects you.

    What you'll find is that some foods spike your blood sugar far more readily than other foods, and that it varies from person to person. For me, I could not be on a diet that approached 45% carbohydrate -- unless about 40% of my diet was spinach and cruciferous vegetables, which would be pretty difficult to eat, volume-wise.

    So, if you're eating 45% carbs of foods that don't massively spike your blood sugar (per the first experiment), and your blood sugar is still high, you'll likely have to decrease your carbohydrates in order to bring your blood glucose back down. My suggestion, however, would be to not raise protein too high over 30-35% of your diet -- as protein is glucogenic as well, and can raise your blood sugar, albeit at a much slower and more controlled rate than carbohydrates can. Making the difference up with fats works, and helped me with satiety.

    The important thing is to log both your food and your blood sugars, and track them. See what works and what doesn't.
  • TheRealParisLove
    TheRealParisLove Posts: 1,907 Member
    That is roughly 132 grams of protein a day. You would have to eat almost 2 pounds of chicken breast to get that many protein grams into your diet a day.

    Find another RD. (S)he did a terrible job of explaining to you your meal plan.

    And yes, those macros sound just fine. Your RD just isn't very good at explaining how to consume those macros.
  • MyOwnSunshine
    MyOwnSunshine Posts: 1,312 Member
    I would think that if you paid a professional for their opinion, and they gave you a reasonable plan to follow, it would be wise to follow it for at least 3 months and then follow up with them. If you are honest and follow the guidelines she gave and it doesn't work for you, she will likely have suggestions for adapting the diet for your particular needs. I think she gave you a solid place to start and you should log your food and follow her guidelines. If it works, great! If it doesn't, take your MFP food and exercise logs to your next appointment so she can help you to modify your guidelines.
  • spoiledpuppies
    spoiledpuppies Posts: 675 Member
    My friend is a dietician--recently finished grad school for it. We have a friend with a severe eating disorder, but my dietician friend said that she's not trained to deal with that. She explained that she's pretty much trained for things like diabetes. She works at a hospital and makes sure patients are on reasonable meal plans per their medical conditions. She's pretty up front about not being a nutritionist in terms of knowing about different types of diets like pale, vegan, etc. I'm not sure who it really makes sense to go to for "expert" advice when we don't know who's really trained and everyone has their own bias. It's almost like you just have to either go with a balance or pick your plan and believe the people who espouse it.
  • sharonfoustmills
    sharonfoustmills Posts: 519 Member
    I would call the dietitian or go see the dietitian and ask for clarification- it sounds like the dietitian was having an off day and did not explain things clearly? It doesn't sound right to me, but then I'm no dietitian. :laugh:
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  • KellySue67
    KellySue67 Posts: 1,006 Member

    25 % isn't too low. I was at 30% and was getting a ton of protein. You are looking at 130 grams of protein a day which is a fair amount.

    Was it their advice to have smaller meals? Or is that you preference? Eating fewer meals would give you a larger portion size of protein per meal. Or, if you do have to do 5-6 meals, make one or two without protein or lower protein, then have a larger serving in the other meals.
    [/quote

    This- I am currently at 50% carbs, 25% protein, 25% fat and I have a difficult time getting all of my protein in sometimes.
  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,347 Member
    I think that you do need a certain amount of fat and it helps if it is good fat. Avocados, nuts, and certain oils will help you. You can only absorb a certain percentage of protein. Veggies are the biggest proportion of you diet and some of them have carbs so if it allows you to eat all the good veggies then maybe it will work for you. Just stay away from the junk.I do not think everybody is the same.
  • hookilau
    hookilau Posts: 3,134 Member
    Assuming you're aware of the progression of T2D (hazard a guess @ type of dz), in order to keep your blood pressure and weight under control, your blood sugars have to be under control.

    The most effective way to do this is to cut starches and sugars. There are many different tactics to fight this disease but you have to do more to effect change.

    Here's some homework for you when you feel ready.....Good Luck :flowerforyou:

    bloodsugar101.com

    tudiabetes.org

    http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Bernsteins-Diabetes-Solution-Achieving/dp/0316182699/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375728086&sr=8-1&keywords=richard+k+bernstein

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSLf4bzAyOM
  • tj1376
    tj1376 Posts: 1,402 Member
    Two things:

    1. Why are you asking MFP people if the dietitian is correct - they dont know. Try going with her plan for a month and if things arent working talk to her again about making some changes. Most dietitians start with a basic plan and adjust it for the person as things progress.

    2. (And more importantly in my opinion) HOW do you manage to make 2oz of protein 1 BITE?? If you can and do, you are eating wrong!!! That much protein is sometimes all I eat at a meal and it still takes me a dozen bites, because MY dietitian stressed the importance of small bites and waiting in between to give your body time to realize the food is there and get that full feeling. You should never be taking huge bites.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Hi all,

    I was recently put on high blood pressure pills. I've been fighting borderline hypertension for the last 25 years. I can use to lose around 40-45 pounds and have been on and off MFP for the last 2 years. To make a long story short, I had my Dr. refer me to the Diabetes clinic at the local hospital to see a registered dietician. I'm a bit confused on what she told me to do. I had been on a modest high protein, vegetable, low carb eating plan for a while now. Not losing any weight and eating around 1800-2000 calories a day. That is what MFP has me at for my height and weight. (5'10" 238 pounds). For the most part I am keeping within the different categories, keeping sodium under 1200 a day and struggling to keep sugar around 40 which once again is what MFP has set.

    The dietician told me to get 45% of my calories from carbs, 25% from protein and 30% from fat. This is based off 2100 calories per day. Does this sound right to the MFP community? That would allow me 2 oz of protein per meal if I were to eat 5 small meals a day. Honestly 2 oz is not really worth it. That's not even a forkful of chicken breast....crazy. The other thing that shocked me was this was coming from a diabetic clinic. My father has been a diabetic for over 40 years and they tell him to limit the carbs due to insulin resistance. Once again strange.

    Can maybe some of you explain this to me so I can better understand something that I might have missed.
    Thank you for the advice.
    FATBOY235

    Many diabetics have or are at risk for kidney disorders, so high protein is not always safe. For those trying to lose weight, fat is usually limited to reduce calories. That leaves carbs. But, you are correct, diabetics typically are asked to eat lower carbs but often they are simply advised on what type of carbs to eat. Limit sugar and processed grains, stick to whole grains, vegetables, fruits and other high fiber carbs.

    Do you have diabetes? If not, and the dietician is aware of this, did you discuss increasing protein with her?
  • ecmorales
    ecmorales Posts: 33 Member
    I'm also a T2Diabetic and it's easy to misunderstand all the advice we're given, my opinion is that is is due to it being given to us in what the professionals thinks are 'easy to understand', carefully measured bite-sized pieces -- which is not AT ALL user friendly information. Mine is probably not popular advice, but my best advise is to build on the professional opinion and take up some reading yourself (I found prevention.com particularly helpful over the years. If you use their website they have special sections on Diabetes).
    For example, you are right and the Dietician are both right about the carbs: we are supposed to limit our carbs (the complex ones like refined sugars found in processed tasty treats), AND we need a lot of them (like the ones found in vegetables)...see the easy to misunderstand dilemna here? what is a carb? there are different types and these carbs have different impacts on the body, sugar levels and therefore weight gain.
    Protein: hardly seems worth it? I totally get it. I know it seems very small in our over-sized American culture of abundance; but the reality is that style of eating is not required for the demands of the 'average american'...I'm not plowing a field, I'm not running a marathon, 'I'm not outrunning a lion. The question I have learned to ask myself is, how many calories and how much protein do I need to sustain myself for the activities ahead? (not how much sounds good or feels good to eat). This is an important question, because anything I eat that is more than I need will get stored as fat; if I am storing those calories not only am I literally gaining weight, it means I am not losing the weight I am currently trying to lose...One step forward, two-steps back.
    I hope this helps. I know I run the risk of sounding preachey - only wish someone had spelled out the simple truths to me thirty years ago. If you're not one to do the research/reading yourself.....ask more and more questions of the Dietician or find another if they're unwilling or unable to answer.
  • BattleTaxi
    BattleTaxi Posts: 752 Member
    Two things:

    1. Why are you asking MFP people if the dietitian is correct - they dont know. Try going with her plan for a month and if things arent working talk to her again about making some changes. Most dietitians start with a basic plan and adjust it for the person as things progress.

    2. (And more importantly in my opinion) HOW do you manage to make 2oz of protein 1 BITE?? If you can and do, you are eating wrong!!! That much protein is sometimes all I eat at a meal and it still takes me a dozen bites, because MY dietitian stressed the importance of small bites and waiting in between to give your body time to realize the food is there and get that full feeling. You should never be taking huge bites.

    This.
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    You must listen to all dietitians, doctors and nutritionists because they are qualified.

    At least that's what everyone told me when I made a thread to help people for free.


    Look whos laaaaaaaaughing nowwwwwww :---)
    In reality though you are just some random person off the internet so why should anyone believe what you say above above a health professional who has actually met the person and assessed them.

    Because I don't need a qualification to be highly educated in a subject. A piece of paper will not determine my intelligence.
  • hookilau
    hookilau Posts: 3,134 Member
    Here's something else I think may help. Once your blood sugar is under control, you'll feel less hungry. When mine went crazy, I had this insatiable hunger that plagued me like nobody's business.

    It took me 3 months and testing 7-8 times daily to find out what foods spiked me and what I could tolerate but now my blood sugar never goes above 125mg/dl after a meal & stays around 110 and lower otherwise.

    Medication helps. Exercise helps. Diet helps. Talking to other diabetics helps. Supplements help too....and though I didn't use insulin, that could help you too. Good luck.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    You must listen to all dietitians, doctors and nutritionists because they are qualified.

    At least that's what everyone told me when I made a thread to help people for free.


    Look whos laaaaaaaaughing nowwwwwww :---)
    In reality though you are just some random person off the internet so why should anyone believe what you say above above a health professional who has actually met the person and assessed them.

    Because I don't need a qualification to be highly educated in a subject. A piece of paper will not determine my intelligence.

    "highly educated" is a relative term. Evidenced by the little bit of advice I've seen from you being pretty much horrible.
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    You must listen to all dietitians, doctors and nutritionists because they are qualified.

    At least that's what everyone told me when I made a thread to help people for free.


    Look whos laaaaaaaaughing nowwwwwww :---)
    In reality though you are just some random person off the internet so why should anyone believe what you say above above a health professional who has actually met the person and assessed them.

    Because I don't need a qualification to be highly educated in a subject. A piece of paper will not determine my intelligence.

    "highly educated" is a relative term. Evidenced by the little bit of advice I've seen from you being pretty much horrible.

    I've never given out one bit of bad information in all of my current 635 posts, but good one. I get it, you're old and live in a belief system of the 80's or something :)
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    You must listen to all dietitians, doctors and nutritionists because they are qualified.

    At least that's what everyone told me when I made a thread to help people for free.


    Look whos laaaaaaaaughing nowwwwwww :---)
    In reality though you are just some random person off the internet so why should anyone believe what you say above above a health professional who has actually met the person and assessed them.

    Because I don't need a qualification to be highly educated in a subject. A piece of paper will not determine my intelligence.

    "highly educated" is a relative term. Evidenced by the little bit of advice I've seen from you being pretty much horrible.

    In My Opinion I've never given out one bit of bad information in all of my current 635 posts, but good one. I get it, you're old and live in a belief system of the 80's or something :)

    FTFY
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    You must listen to all dietitians, doctors and nutritionists because they are qualified.

    At least that's what everyone told me when I made a thread to help people for free.


    Look whos laaaaaaaaughing nowwwwwww :---)
    In reality though you are just some random person off the internet so why should anyone believe what you say above above a health professional who has actually met the person and assessed them.

    Because I don't need a qualification to be highly educated in a subject. A piece of paper will not determine my intelligence.

    "highly educated" is a relative term. Evidenced by the little bit of advice I've seen from you being pretty much horrible.

    IMO, I've never given out one bit of bad information in all of my current 635 posts, but good one. I get it, you're old and live in a belief system of the 80's or something :)

    FTFY

    No, not in my opinion. I have just never given out bad advice, to anyone. It isn't up for discussion.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    You must listen to all dietitians, doctors and nutritionists because they are qualified.

    At least that's what everyone told me when I made a thread to help people for free.


    Look whos laaaaaaaaughing nowwwwwww :---)
    In reality though you are just some random person off the internet so why should anyone believe what you say above above a health professional who has actually met the person and assessed them.

    Because I don't need a qualification to be highly educated in a subject. A piece of paper will not determine my intelligence.

    "highly educated" is a relative term. Evidenced by the little bit of advice I've seen from you being pretty much horrible.

    IMO, I've never given out one bit of bad information in all of my current 635 posts, but good one. I get it, you're old and live in a belief system of the 80's or something :)

    FTFY

    No, not in my opinion. I have just never given out bad advice, to anyone. It isn't up for discussion.

    I disagree. I am not up for a discussion either.

    "the person who knows everything has a lot to learn".
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    You must listen to all dietitians, doctors and nutritionists because they are qualified.

    At least that's what everyone told me when I made a thread to help people for free.


    Look whos laaaaaaaaughing nowwwwwww :---)
    In reality though you are just some random person off the internet so why should anyone believe what you say above above a health professional who has actually met the person and assessed them.

    Because I don't need a qualification to be highly educated in a subject. A piece of paper will not determine my intelligence.

    "highly educated" is a relative term. Evidenced by the little bit of advice I've seen from you being pretty much horrible.

    IMO, I've never given out one bit of bad information in all of my current 635 posts, but good one. I get it, you're old and live in a belief system of the 80's or something :)

    FTFY

    No, not in my opinion. I have just never given out bad advice, to anyone. It isn't up for discussion.

    I disagree. I am not up for a discussion either.

    "the person who knows everything has a lot to learn".

    QFT
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    You must listen to all dietitians, doctors and nutritionists because they are qualified.

    At least that's what everyone told me when I made a thread to help people for free.


    Look whos laaaaaaaaughing nowwwwwww :---)
    In reality though you are just some random person off the internet so why should anyone believe what you say above above a health professional who has actually met the person and assessed them.

    Because I don't need a qualification to be highly educated in a subject. A piece of paper will not determine my intelligence.

    "highly educated" is a relative term. Evidenced by the little bit of advice I've seen from you being pretty much horrible.

    IMO, I've never given out one bit of bad information in all of my current 635 posts, but good one. I get it, you're old and live in a belief system of the 80's or something :)

    FTFY

    No, not in my opinion. I have just never given out bad advice, to anyone. It isn't up for discussion.

    I disagree. I am not up for a discussion either.

    "the person who knows everything has a lot to learn".

    I have never claimed to know everything, I've claimed to say any advice I give will not effect peoples health or result in injuries. In every topic I made, I also stated I do not know everything.

    Have a nice day! :)