What Do Nutritionists Eat?
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
What Do Nutritionists Eat? I mean, they give us advice about what we should be eating, but what do nutritionists eat when they are in their house with those chips in the cabinet and that ice cream in the freezer!
What do nutritionists eat?
The Harvard Vanguard Registered Dieticians were recently interviewed for their best tips about what do nutritionists eat. And, apparently, they practice what they preach. (Posted on March 14, 2012 by Anne Danahy, MS, RD, LDN)
What do Nutritionists Eat? – Breakfast
We know breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Why? It jump starts our metabolism and gets our bodies working right away. However it’s important to start it with the right foods. Stephanie Karakantas never skips breakfast. “I find a balanced and satisfying breakfast a great way to boost my energy level for the day.” She starts her day with oatmeal mixed with flax meal or wheat germ and mashed banana, some spices and walnuts. Another option for her is a smoothie made with her favorite protein powder, milk and berries.
What do Nutritionists Eat? – Lunch
Lunch is not to be skipped. You need to continue to fuel your body with healthy food throughout day. Fernanda Copeland likes a large, insulated lunch box so she can pack up her meals and snacks for the day. She always has fresh fruits, vegetables and yogurt.
What do Nutritionists Eat? – A Healthy Lunch
Janine Clifford-Murphy has a similar belief. “Eating at work is always a challenge, but for that reason, I have all my food supplies ready to go.” She makes roll ups for sandwiches, oranges, nuts and Greek yogurt for protein. She also makes sure to pack veggies like string beans or red pepper strips.
What do nutritionists eat? – Lots of Fruits & Vegetables
Helen Mastro says to include several servings of fruits and vegetables each day. “They are the foundation of a healthy diet. I try to eat them with every meal.” Also, fruits and vegetables add color and excitement to your meal.
What do Nutritionists Eat? – Salad
Julie Seed’s strategy is to “turn your salad into a meal.” She likes to look at restaurant websites that have salads she enjoys and recreate a healthier version at home. “Creating a theme salad, like barbeque chicken salad, southwest salad with corn and black beans, or Asian chicken salad with mandarins, definitely makes salads more interesting. Making it at home allows you to tailor the ingredients and skip or control the amount of higher calorie add-ins like cheese, dressing or Chinese noodles.”
What Do Nutritionists Eat? – Pre-Planned Meals
Ann Danahy plans ahead. She makes soups that are full of vegetables. Make a large pot and have leftovers or freeze some for later.
What Do Nutritionists Eat? – Stock up!
Marlene O’Donnell has a similar tip: Make a large pot of couscous or quinoa a the beginning of the week and use it for several meals. You can add protein such as chicken or shrimp, vegetables, and a light vinaigrette for a complete meal.
What Do Nutritionists Eat? – Substitute!
Jennifer Bonczek advises to substitute one healthy ingredient for one unhealthy ingredient. For example, “I keep hummus on hand and use it instead of mayonnaise in tuna salad, for a savings of more than 100 calories. I also swap the cheese on my sandwich for a slice of avocado – it not only saves calories, but also replaces the saturated fat with a heart healthy fat.”
Denise Barrra suggests substituting lighter, low salt, low fat ingredients in recipes. She uses unsweetened applesauce, bananas, or prunes in place of butter or margarine.
What do Nutritionists Eat? – When the go out?
Linda Germaine-Miller offers these tips for eating out: Go to the restaurant’s website and plan your meal before you get there. Consider sharing a salad and a main course with a friend as restaurant portions are usually beyond one serving size, or, when ordering your meal, ask the waitperson to pack 1/2 to take home.
Eating well can sometimes take a bit more work, but we’re here to show you that it can be done! If you need help to improve your diet, contact Harvard Vanguard Nutrition Department.