When it comes to holistic nutrition, there is no shortage of myths and misconceptions. Some dietitians or a health coaches favor it, others advocate against it entirely. There is so much misinformation, confusion, and insufficient answers surrounding the topic that it breeds further misconceptions. As Martin Luther King once said, nothing in this world is more dangerous than conscientious stupidity and sincere ignorance.
In this article, we aim at busting some of the most common myths and misconceptions surrounding holistic nutrition because you deserve to know the truth. However, before we start debunking some myths, it is empirical that you understand the basics.
What Is Holistic Nutrition?
Unlike the average study of food and nutrition, holistic nutrition involves a person’s physical, mental, chemical, emotional, spiritual, and environmental health and its healing methods. Holistic nutrition is different from conventional medicinal practices. Instead of diagnosing disease based on a patient’s physical symptoms, this alternative approach potentially helps patients in uncovering non-physical causes like poor nutrition habits that lead to the disease.
The trained professionals in this field, work up close and personal with their patients. They uniquely engage each individual in building better health by empowering and cooperating with them. They chart a course of optimal health for them.
Misconceptions about Holistic Nutrition You Deserve To Know
1. Holistic Nutrition Is Equal to Being a Hippie
It is a common misconception that the trained professionals advocating for better and wholesome wellbeing of their patients are hippies. This is not true. Not all holistic nutritionists have made an unconventional appearance and reject conventional values and medical procedures. On the other hand, many nutritionists are technologically savvy, forward-thinking, and modern people. They share the enthusiasm and beliefs of their colleagues in helping their patients develop a food encompassing lifestyle as a whole.
2. Holistic Diet Is Full Vegetarian
Being a vegan and being on a holistic diet has no relation. You can choose to be a vegetarian whenever and however, you want to. Both holistic nutritionists and their patients eat meat, albeit occasionally like once or twice a week. Meat is a powerhouse of nutrition, and these trained professionals recognize that. Some diet menus may appear to be entirely vegan, but the choice of the menu does mix up and include foods like egg, fish, beans, nut butter, soy, etc. therefore, being a vegetarian is more of a personal choice than a anything else.
3. Holistic Nutritionist Eat Healthy 100% 24/7
There isn’t even a single person alive on this green earth that eats 100% healthy 24 hours of the day all week long. Holistic nutritionists are just like any other person. They have cravings and taste buds too. Most holistic nutritionists go by the 80/20 principle, which entails consciously eating healthy 80% of the time and indulging yourself for only 20%. Think of it in this way; you eat healthy all week long and treat yourselves at the end of the week. You can also follow everyday healthy habits like eating fruits and drinking lots of water. In other words, holistic nutritionists teach us not to stress over everything instead enjoy life and eat well.
4. Being on a Holistic Diet Means Bye-Bye Favorite Foods
This is among the most common misconception. Adopting a holistic diet does not mean that it requires you to abstain from all your favorite foods. Torture and suffering is not the way of holistic nutrition. Instead, food should be enjoyed and celebrated. There is always a way to include a healthy version of your favorite food in your diet plan. Choosing to stop consuming food that you consider “junk” is entirely a personal choice. The trick lies in knowing and controlling your cravings and actively engaging in conscious eating.
5. Holistic Nutritionists Are Food Gurus and Health Know-It-Alls
Again, knowing everything about food is not possible for everyone. Knowing which food is what, how to make, and consume it and how it can help you heal is an ideal but unrealistic situation for most.
Then how do holistic nutritionists know so much about food?
Simply because it is their job to know so, just like any other specialist in their field; they keep up with the trends, consult fellow nutritionists, and accept the fact that they might know everything about food. Therefore, while it is something that everyone desires, not just the holistic nutritionist, it is outside the reach of most humans.
6. Natural Means Healthy
This is a myth and misconception that most holistic nutritionists deal with on a daily base. A product with the label of “natural” or “organic” does not necessarily mean that healthy content. Albeit, organic food can be more robust than non-organic versions of the food; however, that does not exclude them from being loaded with saturated fat, salt, or sugar. The best course of action when buying “natural” products are to read the labels very carefully.
7. Vegetarian Diets Are Protein Deficient
Another most common misunderstanding is that vegan diets lack sufficient proteins or that they are protein deficient. This misconception arises from two essential facts, meat is high in valuable proteins, and our bodies need protein to grow effectively. However, there is no shortage of creditable researches that claims that consuming high levels of proteins can counterproductive for us. Also, vegetarian diets may help us live longer because while they contain some levels of proteins, they are also free of saturated fats.
Final Thoughts
The myths and misconceptions mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. When it comes to holistic diets, nutritionist, and their method of operation, there is a whole array of misunderstandings readily available. The way to tackle all these misconceptions and more is through knowledge. Educate yourself and your family on how a holistic diet works. If it is possible for you, then contacting a genuine source of reference can give you authentic information about the field of study.
