Weight does not equal health – And other tips from a dietitian

Weight has been an indicator of health for a long time. But how important is that number on the scale? Registered dietitian Jessica Justice Reath said it’s more important to look at overall health.

“Dietitians don’t necessarily focus on weight loss as much anymore. Instead, we encourage the practice of intuitive eating.” She explained why this change is happening and offered tips on how to eat healthier.

One size does not fit all

“I can remember my grandmother and mother being on different diets growing up, and we’ve started to see the effects this has had on people’s metabolisms and their overall health,” Reath said. “We’ve found that rapid weight loss and extreme dieting can drastically affect your metabolism, which makes it harder to keep the weight off or lose the weight in the future.”

She said it’s more important to increase muscle mass and focus on the types of food you’re eating and have access to. “We want to shift the thought that someone has to be a size zero with a low BMI and focus more on how we can make sure this person is healthy.”

How can you eat healthier?

Reath offered these tips:

• Look for balance. Eat well-balanced foods that include all food groups. Restricting to certain food groups can have a yoyo effect that leads to disordered eating.
• Cook more. Cooking meals yourself allows you to access healthy food, and it’s a social opportunity with family and friends.
• Everything in moderation. But also pay attention to what makes you feel good.
• Ask yourself why you’re eating. Are you eating because your body needs energy or are you bored?

“We want to focus on how we can shape our health,” Reath said. This means identifying the types of foods that need to be incorporated in order to build muscle mass, or improve cardiac health, or maintain good blood sugar control for someone who is at risk for or has diabetes.

Remember, movement is important

Reath said this doesn’t mean extreme exercise routines.

“We encourage more of a focus on movement and how you incorporate it into your daily routine. By paying attention to your body, you’ll start to see days in which you’re craving fruits and vegetables and a hard workout, but then other days you’ll want to enjoy a walk around the neighborhood or take a nap on the couch.”