I'm a Dietitian - ask me anything

[doesthisseemright]

This one may be a bit dull but ask away.

What is your view on 'sugar free' drinks? In my mind encouraging children especially to not have sugary drinks but to have drinks with sweeteners in doesn't deal with the need for the sweet 'hit'. Yes less calories but I'm not convinced it's the best alternative. For what it's worth I dilute fresh non concentrate fruit juice for my kids but only once a day and the rest of the time it's milk or water (much to their disgust!). I've tried letting them have some heavily diluted, no sweeteners, good quality squash but feel a bit bad about being slack! Also the reduced sugar stuff that just has higher fat, salt or a chemical shit storm instead annoys me too! Can you tell I'm a bit sugar obsessed (although my waist line doesn't reflect it! I dont want my kids to be like me - child of 70's and 80's so was brought up on crap!)

Why do NHS meal plans involve so much white sliced bread and margarine?

mesle2964 that is quite a lot for one year.But possible. Combine with exercise, light weight training and modifying carbs to speed it up.

whydidIeatthat the old NHS plans I used to work with always advised high fibre choices. I'd suggest that any plan advising white bread and margarine is really OLD and not used properly. The new model says "choose wholegrain varieties" and also just says "low fat spread". Not a fan of margarine myself.

Why are food allergies such a contentious subject within the NHS?!
Like a previous poster, my DS has serious allergies.
Anaphylactic to milk (one anaphylactic episode so far where he almost died as it took drs in a&e a stupid amount of time to realise he was in anaphylactic shock ), alleg If to soya, eggs, tree nuts, oranges, mangoes and strawberries.
We’ve seen numerous different doctors and 3 dietitians, who have all given us different answers about epipen prescription.
One told us it was based on his age and he’s too young right now (21 months), one said it’s based on his weight and he’s too small (20lb 4oz), one said he won’t get one until he’s in a school or childcare setting - so what’s the deal?!!
What’s the actual guidelines for prescribing epipens to a child with history of anaphylaxis?

Thanks, what do you think of Huel?

Julianofnorwich I wouldnt do an "across the board" low carb for an 11 year old but would consider based on his activity levels. I think we are , as a population, eating too many carbs for our activity levels. We mostly dont aim for weight loss for kids, just stabilisation while they grow in height so maybe just keep to standard portions - closed fist size carbs at meals.

The NHS dietitians aren't that bad, the main issue is that they are poorly resourced (time and manpower) and fighting so many regulations around changes to practice and literature given to clients.

You've mentioned light weight training a few times, OP. Can you expand on that please? What weight should you be training with? How often? What sorts of exercises should you be doing with the weights?

Vegan diet are ok for kids with assistance. There are lots of support networks around and you can balance the diet for them so as long as you read up, all will be fine.

For a child with allergies wanting to bulk up, Id actually book in with a paediatric allergy dietitian for help - or call allergy UK helpline.

Mikecheck I do think I need to practice within my scope so would recommend a trainer but resistance training - weights, resibands etc
Anything that builds up, women are so used to doing aerobic stuff to lowe weight.

Huel. Seems like a good enough product but for what purpose?

Why do you think there's been such an increase in allergies over recent years?

Does it annoy you when people say they're "intolerant" of certain foods?

Thanks for this thread, OP, really fascinating.

gildahairflick I agree with you.

mybreadiseggy you would guess I can make a blanket recommendation without knowing your child but maybe phone allergy UK and speak to their Dietitian (sorry)

But is there not like a blanket guideline for prescribing like there is for prescribing specialist formula? Like a criteria that needs to be met?
I keep asking and keep getting different answers - no one seems to know what the actual guidelines are

For being really really bad at feeding yourself! I like how cheap and convenient it is too, am about 60-100% living on it.

mikecheck
Why do you think there's been such an increase in allergies over recent years? I think maybe diagnoses, lifestyle issue( epigenetics, birth practices, feeding, solids and hygiene) are issues. Interesting one!

Does it annoy you when people say they're "intolerant" of certain foods? Never. Not annoyed :)

Thanks for this thread, OP, really fascinating.

I, DH and the DC are all ovo lacto vegetarians. DH and the DC frequently get uninitiated 'advice' or comments from people claiming that a vegetarian diet is no good for the DC as they will be lacking important nutrients needed for growth and development (for some reason they seem to focus on DD's future reproductive health when speaking to DH). They often suggest the DC should take supplements. I rarely get this, not sure whether it's because people know I've been vegetarian for 30+ years, they think DH should be in charge and make me see sense, or possibly that I look to grumpy to start a discussion with. None of these people has ever been able to articulate exactly what 'nutrients' we lack. I have looked in to this myself and concluded that they are wrong- but like everyone else we need to have a balanced diet.

Do you think they are likely to be lacking any nutrition and if so what. Assuming you don't (I've seen your comment about vegan diet being OK for children if managed appropriately)
do you have any tips for shutting down these unwanted 'discussions'?

I want to tag another Dietitian in here!!!!!
Just need to pop off for a bit.

Will be back later though.

doesthisseemright thank you so much for your reply!

One last question!

Are there any foods in particular you would recommend for fertility?

Thank so much 😁

Considering a blood test to see if I have any food intolerance's. I think I may have IBS. What do you think of them? York Test is £300+...

What are some of the most nutritionally dense foods per serving?
For example should we choose an orange or a banana or an apple? Spinach or broccoli? Almonds or hazelnuts. That sort of thing,
I know a bit of everything is best but I wondered if there was a Top Ten of great things to eat?

When you say clinical setting, how does that work if you work for yourself?

What sort of patients do you see in your clinic? Is it mostly lifestyle (rather than invasive treatments such as EN)?

Have you seen an increase in issues or since the fashion for ‘clean eating’ and instagram/youtube gurus starting spouting forth misinformation and dodgy ‘recipes’? Do you think these things contribute to/normalise eating disorders such as orthorexia, especially in young people?

Sorry, my second question should be,

Have you seen an increase in issues or perceived issues since the fashion for ‘clean eating’ and instagram/youtube gurus starting spouting forth misinformation and dodgy ‘recipes’? Do you think these things contribute to/normalise eating disorders such as orthorexia, especially in young people?

Sorry if it's been asked but do you agree with benefits of intermittent fasting at all?