It is a pleasure to interview Keri Gans, a Registered Dietitian in private practice in Manhattan. She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and her philosophy is “Diets Don’t Work”. Keri works with clients to create lifestyle changes to produce long term success.
Keri was kind enough to answer a few questions about her approach to nutrition, diets and how to develop a normal, healthy relationship with food that will last a lifetime.
1. Your web site byline is “Diets Don’t Work”. Could you tell us why you emphasize this point?
Diets are something that a person goes ON and then goes OFF… they aren’t something that you stay on for the rest of your life.
2. What is your basic nutrition and philosophy regarding health and nutrition?
First, I believe a person has to have a normal relationship with food. Most time many behaviors need to be changed in order for this to happen and it could take a long time. But the end result is a person who eats a well-balanced healthy diet the majority time and doesn’t worry so much about the minority.
3. As a Dietitian, what has been your experience of the effectiveness of dieting?
I have seen way to many people fail on diets and become very frustrated. I really encourage them to tackle one small change at a time to reach their health goals, get comfortable with it, and then move on to another. Taking on too many changes at once, can be overwhelming and discouraging.
4. What are your views on structured weight loss programs such as Weight Watchers?
For some people they can work and for others they don’t. Unfortunately once the structure is gone they are unable to manage on their own.
5. What are some of the problems that you see with restrictive diet plans?
Restrictive plans are only about calories. They do not teach anything about healthy eating. A person will lose weight if they eliminate food groups, but almost always gain them back when re-introduced. These types of plans can also lead to dangerous side effects, such as malnutrition, dehydration, fatigue, and dizziness.
6. What are some of the benefits of having a wide variety of food in your eating plan?
The more options there are the less you become bored with your food choices. Also, a variety of foods mean a variety of nutrients, which your body needs.
7. Some eating disorder sufferers are terrified of eating fatty food, sugar and high carbohydrate content food, and yet these are the foods that they binge on later. What would you recommend?
They tend to binge on them because they really love them and have been avoiding them. The more you avoid a food you love, the more you will crave it. I suggest they try and include their “fear” foods gradually in moderation to help prevent this from happening. I also suggest to help prevent a binge from occurring is to make sure you are not skipping any meals.
8. There has been a lot of media coverage about the obesity epidemic. Do you think that all of the focus on dieting and weight loss is contributing to the increase in the incidence of eating disorders, especially in children?
In particular, the recent report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows hospitalizations for eating disorders in children under 12 increased 119 percent between 1999 and 2006
Reasons for an eating disorder is multifaceted, hard to pin point it on any one factor. However, high incidence of media attention on weight loss definitely can play a role. Would be better if there was more attention on how a person feels, healthy food choices and being active.
9. I have personally tried dozens of diets and failed at them all. They fuelled my eating disorder and yet I found it impossible to avoid them. What advice would you give to someone who is suffering with an eating disorder about diets?
Same advice I would give to anyone, diets are a waste of time and in lots of cases money.
Focus instead on developing a normal, healthy relationship with food that will last a lifetime.
10. What are some final words to those struggling with eating disorders?
Seeking help can be crucial. I suggest finding a therapist and a registered dietitian who specialize in eating disorders. You don’t need to struggle alone.
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Thank you Keri for sharing your experience and advice with us.
If you would like to find out more about Keri Gans you can visit her web site or Twitter .
Keri Gans also has a book, “The Small Change Diet” coming out on March 15, 2011.
Keri was kind enough to answer a few questions about her approach to nutrition, diets and how to develop a normal, healthy relationship with food that will last a lifetime.
1. Your web site byline is “Diets Don’t Work”. Could you tell us why you emphasize this point?
Diets are something that a person goes ON and then goes OFF… they aren’t something that you stay on for the rest of your life.
2. What is your basic nutrition and philosophy regarding health and nutrition?
First, I believe a person has to have a normal relationship with food. Most time many behaviors need to be changed in order for this to happen and it could take a long time. But the end result is a person who eats a well-balanced healthy diet the majority time and doesn’t worry so much about the minority.
3. As a Dietitian, what has been your experience of the effectiveness of dieting?
I have seen way to many people fail on diets and become very frustrated. I really encourage them to tackle one small change at a time to reach their health goals, get comfortable with it, and then move on to another. Taking on too many changes at once, can be overwhelming and discouraging.
4. What are your views on structured weight loss programs such as Weight Watchers?
For some people they can work and for others they don’t. Unfortunately once the structure is gone they are unable to manage on their own.
5. What are some of the problems that you see with restrictive diet plans?
Restrictive plans are only about calories. They do not teach anything about healthy eating. A person will lose weight if they eliminate food groups, but almost always gain them back when re-introduced. These types of plans can also lead to dangerous side effects, such as malnutrition, dehydration, fatigue, and dizziness.
6. What are some of the benefits of having a wide variety of food in your eating plan?
The more options there are the less you become bored with your food choices. Also, a variety of foods mean a variety of nutrients, which your body needs.
7. Some eating disorder sufferers are terrified of eating fatty food, sugar and high carbohydrate content food, and yet these are the foods that they binge on later. What would you recommend?
They tend to binge on them because they really love them and have been avoiding them. The more you avoid a food you love, the more you will crave it. I suggest they try and include their “fear” foods gradually in moderation to help prevent this from happening. I also suggest to help prevent a binge from occurring is to make sure you are not skipping any meals.
8. There has been a lot of media coverage about the obesity epidemic. Do you think that all of the focus on dieting and weight loss is contributing to the increase in the incidence of eating disorders, especially in children?
In particular, the recent report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows hospitalizations for eating disorders in children under 12 increased 119 percent between 1999 and 2006
Reasons for an eating disorder is multifaceted, hard to pin point it on any one factor. However, high incidence of media attention on weight loss definitely can play a role. Would be better if there was more attention on how a person feels, healthy food choices and being active.
9. I have personally tried dozens of diets and failed at them all. They fuelled my eating disorder and yet I found it impossible to avoid them. What advice would you give to someone who is suffering with an eating disorder about diets?
Same advice I would give to anyone, diets are a waste of time and in lots of cases money.
Focus instead on developing a normal, healthy relationship with food that will last a lifetime.
10. What are some final words to those struggling with eating disorders?
Seeking help can be crucial. I suggest finding a therapist and a registered dietitian who specialize in eating disorders. You don’t need to struggle alone.
##
Thank you Keri for sharing your experience and advice with us.
If you would like to find out more about Keri Gans you can visit her web site or Twitter .
Keri Gans also has a book, “The Small Change Diet” coming out on March 15, 2011.
You can join the fan page for the The Small Change Diet on Facebook for updates.