Nutritionist says I'm not losing weight because I'm not eating enough GRAINS?!

Like pretty much everyone else said, get rid of her.

As far as calories go, first figure out what you want to do. Not having a concrete plan is pretty much guaranteeing failure. Once you've figured out what exactly you want to do, you have to put in the proper steps to get there. That means keeping track of everything; if you're not using a scale, and measuring cups you're probably off by a lot more than you think.

As far as being tired all the time, you probably need a lot more sleep. Most people say "oh I can get by on 5-6 hours" in reality, not many can. Most people don't get nearly enough sleep, and it's disastrous to well being. Try to make it a point to get 8 hours every night for a week, and you'll probably see a huge difference in how you feel!

AliaHaddad_ wrote: »

So I finally was able to see a nutritionist, and when I say I begged her for help, I mean it. The last four years in high school and college I've been yo-yoing between 20lbs. I would lose weight by restricting my calories to a low amount (1000-1200 cal/day and I'm 5'8") and the pounds would just come back when I tried to eat like a "normal person". My nutritionist just told me that I need to eat at least 5 servings of grains a day (and I'm usually eating 0-1), in order to help me to lose weight. I've been struggling to believe her and can't seem to find the research to back that opinion. I eat a lot of protein, fruits and veggies, and I gain weight VERY easily and have a larger body type. Im also very athletic (weight training and running and other cardio) but I've never needed grains to get energy (although I am tired a lot)... Any advice ????

I agree with others who said fire the nutritionist. I'm an ordinary schmuck who eats almost no grains and I'm losing weight.

You lose weight because of calories, not the type of food.

You might be eating more than you think, or you are eating stuff with a lot of sodium that makes you retain water, or if you exercise a lot you might be retaining water to heal your muscles. Your calorie count looks like you aren't eating enough.

The nutritionist is not giving you a good weight loss diet plan if she doesn't emphasize calories first and foremost. You do not need to eat 5 servings of grains to lose weight. It would not hurt your weight loss one bit to do so if the food fits your calorie goal though.
Eat the right number of calories for your height and activity level and you will lose weight. My Fitness Pal will tell you for free how many calories to eat. If you are active you should be eating much more than the minimum. 1200 is the minimum reccomended for women, 1500 for men. If you exercise beyond your regular activity level- log it and eat a portion of those calories too.
If you are 20 lbs or less overweight choose .5-1 lb a week. Not 2+ lbs per week.
Healthy sustainable loss takes time. You can eat pretty normally just appropriate portion sizes for your goal. Log everything you consume as accurately as you can. A food scale is helpful to improving your accuracy. Make sure the entries from the database you choose are correct.
Overly restricting foods and going on a very low calorie diet do not lead to sustainable weight loss.

I agree with others - don't listen to the nutritionist.

How much do you currently weigh, and how much do you want to weigh?

And like others said - slow and steady wins the race. If you want to lose the weight and lose it for good you have to find a way to eat that will take the weight off and not be a struggle when you have to learn to maintain.

Your nutritionist may subscribe to the more fibre to lose fat theory. I'm linking one article here for reference that reports on a medical study of that precise theory. I have no expertise on the subject or experience to share anecdotally, but I think I might be willing to try out the suggestion to see how it works on my body and energy level - because I like grains and don't want to give them up for life.

Please see a different nutritionist for a 2nd opinion.

I saw one a few years ago and have felt better following the recommendations. Mine told me about metobolic type testing. Everyone is either protein type, carb type, or mixed. That helps determine how your macros should be split to feel your best...thats it. There was no mention of specific number of servings because the macros are split as a percentage of total calories and total cals is based on age, gender, activity, weight. The number of cals is what determines weight loss or gain.

I should mention I did not see her with weight loss as the focus. I had just been diagnosed with a wheat allergy and hashimoto so I saw a nutritionist to learn about getting balanced nutrition with dietary restrictions.

snickerscharlie wrote: »

SCoil123 wrote: »

Please see a different nutritionist for a 2nd opinion.

I saw one a few years ago and have felt better following the recommendations. Mine told me about metobolic type testing. Everyone is either protein type, carb type, or mixed. That helps determine how your macros should be split to feel your best...thats it. There was no mention of specific number of servings because the macros are split as a percentage of total calories and total cals is based on age, gender, activity, weight. The number of cals is what determines weight loss or gain.

I should mention I did not see her with weight loss as the focus. I had just been diagnosed with a wheat allergy and hashimoto so I saw a nutritionist to learn about getting balanced nutrition with dietary restrictions.

Glad you're feeling better, but the "metabolic type testing" is hooey of the highest order.

Agree to disagree. I think there is a lot of truth to the fact that different people are healthier with different macro splits. Thats really all it is, a way of finding your macro break down.

NewGemini130 wrote: »

She is following the FDA pyramid thing probably, which I don't buy into personlly. I however think grains DO have a role in weight loss, if you are eating quinoa, brown rice, millet, and other higher protein and filling grains. Not bread. Pair healthy grains with lots of veggies and small amount of beans (or meat if you eat meat) and you will be full and stay full. And probably you'll eat what is considered 2 servings for dinner (a cup of grains is prob 2 servings). I don't think you have to push for 5 but also think hearty grains do help you feel full, they have vitamins etc. and can be helpful in losing weight and not feeling deprived.

Have a role? sure. Needed to make weight loss happen? No.
Agreed, that a good hearty whole grain can make compliance easier, sure.

I also think it's relevant to consider WHO came up with the pyramid. not FDA but USDA.

AliaHaddad_ wrote: »

So I finally was able to see a nutritionist, and when I say I begged her for help, I mean it. The last four years in high school and college I've been yo-yoing between 20lbs. I would lose weight by restricting my calories to a low amount (1000-1200 cal/day and I'm 5'8") and the pounds would just come back when I tried to eat like a "normal person". My nutritionist just told me that I need to eat at least 5 servings of grains a day (and I'm usually eating 0-1), in order to help me to lose weight. I've been struggling to believe her and can't seem to find the research to back that opinion. I eat a lot of protein, fruits and veggies, and I gain weight VERY easily and have a larger body type. Im also very athletic (weight training and running and other cardio) but I've never needed grains to get energy (although I am tired a lot)... Any advice ????

Fire the nutritionist, simply eat at a calorie defict and you will lose weight.

Gianfranco_R wrote: »

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

NewGemini130 wrote: »

She is following the FDA pyramid thing probably, which I don't buy into personlly. I however think grains DO have a role in weight loss, if you are eating quinoa, brown rice, millet, and other higher protein and filling grains. Not bread. Pair healthy grains with lots of veggies and small amount of beans (or meat if you eat meat) and you will be full and stay full. And probably you'll eat what is considered 2 servings for dinner (a cup of grains is prob 2 servings). I don't think you have to push for 5 but also think hearty grains do help you feel full, they have vitamins etc. and can be helpful in losing weight and not feeling deprived.

Have a role? sure. Needed to make weight loss happen? No.
Agreed, that a good hearty whole grain can make compliance easier, sure.

I also think it's relevant to consider WHO came up with the pyramid. not FDA but USDA.

Yeah, people seem not to notice how strange is that the Department of Agriculture tells you what to eat (same in Italy)

LOL Yes! A balanced diet according to USDA.

Since everyone else has already covered how awful your nutritionist is, I'd like to address your lack of energy.

If you're highly active, it's possible that your deficit is too aggressive. I can really understand wanting to shed your weight as quickly as possible, but that isn't the smartest way to go about it if you're energy levels are plummeting. It's best to find a balance of calorie intake and activity levels that keeps you feeling energetic throughout the day and learning new habits with food in order to make lasting changes.

I don't believe there is one way of eating that would fit everyone. The Healthy Eating Plate (a refinement of the MyPlate concept https://hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/) is a good place to start for many people - half of the plate fruit/veg, 1/4 whole grains, and 1/4 protein. For many, this would be a major step for the better. That being said, all you really need to do to lose weight is to eat less than you burn.