Nutrition advice shouldn't be one size fits all

We're unique individuals with diverse health, weight and fitness issues. Nutrition needs vary and a "one size doesn't fit all" approach dosen't work. Just because “expert A” swears by low carb, “expert B” extols low fat, and “expert C” insists you must eat your fruits and vegetables at every meal, does not make their advice right for you.

Standard “healthy diet” advice can be downright harmful if you have a disease or condition for which it is counter intuitive. Examples are colitis, Crohn’s disease, celiacs, and irritable bowel syndrome, which are conditions in which dietary practices considered healthy, or foods and beverages other people eat and don’t give a second thought to, can cause painful and damaging symptoms.

Okay, let’s look at some standard nutrition and diet advice and why “one size fits all” recommendations like these may be detrimental for some. Read more and watch the videos.

Healthy Dining Out

No matter what your dieting style - low carb, low fat, low calorie, special dietary needs - dining out can present problems that make staying on program difficult. If you have several dietary issues like I do and must avoid multiple foods the logistics are a nightmare. Asking questions helps ("Does the cook add milk to the eggs?" "Is there corn in the Mexican rice?" "Do they use wheat flour in the breading?")

Personally, I've chosen to rarely eat out and when I do order steak and potatoes. Those two items are usually safe and chef proof. They can't screw them up colitis-wise.

Below are some links to help you make the best dining out choices for your unique situation:

Healthy Dining Out

For Low Fat and Calorie / Portion Control Dieters

CNN’s Eating healthy when dining out is getting easier

Healthy Dining Finder

Healthy Fast Food” Guide to Healthy Choices at Fast Food Restaurants

For IBD / Colitis / Crohn’s / Celiac Diets

Before You Eat Out

By Amber J. Tresca, About.com
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD
Eating out at restaurants or at social functions can be a tricky situation for people with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis [IBD]). It is especially difficult when you are dining with people you have a professional or casual relationship with, since they are not likely to know about your health problems. (Nor would you necessarily want them to know.) How can you handle a high-powered business lunch or romantic dinner without bringing attention to your problem? Read more.


Eating Out When You Have Ulcerative Colitis

Dining Out With Celiac Disease and Food Allergies

Gluten-Free Restaurant Dining
Tips for Safe Gluten-Free Restaurant Meals

For Low Carb Dieters

Restaurant Eating Low Carb

How do you stay on your diet when someone else is doing the cooking? Here you'll find handy tips to use when dining out, what to eat at specific types of eateries, and links to low-carb menus at popular chain restaurants.

Low Carb Eating Out