BETH LOISELLE

My Story

 

Let me tell you a bit about myself so you'll know where I'm coming from.  I was science-based educated in dietetics back when white flour, sugar, frequent desserts, soft drinks, Jell-O salads, Cool-Whip toppings, and margarine were all typically eaten yet, unfortunately, not questioned as to their nutritional value or health consequences. Sadly, many people continue to eat that way, and if you are still eating those products, you especially need to spend time with me.

 

After I became a dietitian, and then later a wife and mother, I was introduced to the concept of "natural foods" and the fact that sugar and refined grains are not healthy and should be eliminated or at least greatly reduced. I thought I'd try eliminating them as an experiment, and my health/life have not been the same ever since!  I quickly gained more energy than I had ever had in my entire life!  This occurred before I was 30, while I was still quite young and with no diagnosed medical conditions. I have continued eating only minute amounts of sugar and refined grains or starches, and today, in my late-70s, I still feel great and use zero prescription drugs.

 

I immediately wanted to know WHY my energy skyrocketed after what I thought to be an experiment was becoming permanent. However, natural health information with scientific credence was scarce back then. Most of the information I found was based on common sense and personal testimonies. Those are not bad, but I was looking for exact scientific reasoning and research to explain WHY I was so energetic since I was trained to follow the science. Unfortunately, those details were not known then.

 

With the invention and expansion of the Internet several years later came a boom in nutrition information. Yet today's abundance of nutrition/health info comes with serious problems - conflicting information. Articles and videos are written at different points in time and of course, level of knowledge known at the time of publication. More often than not, there are no publication dates on the Internet. And of course, much information is provided with conflicts of interest. Today, I personally look for Functional or Integrative Medicine-based studies and information with dates rather than pharmaceutical-based Conventional Medicine information or product promotion. Thousands of bloggers write about nutrition and cooking today, some of which is accurately researched, but definitely not all is up-to-date or even accurate.

 

We must learn to discriminate before we trust our health to just any information. The same goes with dietary supplements and food products we buy. Quality varies greatly. What's more, due to certain health conditions and possible genetic differences among us, we don't each need the exact same eating plan or supplements!

 

As a result of what I just wrote in the above paragraphs, nutrition confusion certainly does exist. I've heard more than one person sincerely say that since there are so many conflicts, we should just eat whatever we want and not worry about nutrition! Foolish statement I know, but when you don't know what's correct, it might be an easy way to think...

 

Getting back to my story, my most recent work experience includes over 25 years at Good Foods Co-op in Lexington, KY as their Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. I worked with customers wanting to improve their diets, I taught classes and did food demos, wrote newsletter articles, and even went into the community with my Nutrition Mission program where I promoted the Co-op along with good nutrition. 

 

So, what does this have to do with you? If you are currently eating what we call a Standard American Diet (that stands for SAD, which it truly is SAD), then you can greatly benefit from making improvements in your diet, just as I did many years ago. It is NEVER TOO LATE to benefit, no matter how old you are.

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Once  I retired from the Co-op, I realized that I am not finished being a dietitian; I want to continue helping others with their diet and health concerns, and thus I have chosen this website as a means of sharing information. I want to help YOU learn to discern fact from fiction on what you eat. My personal experience and years as a whole foods dietitian, plus the fact that I practice what I teach have all helped me develop skills to improve health!

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Even if we never meet, I invite you to study the nutrition information I share here at Healthways-Shine (also called Healthwaysmyways), try some of my recipes, and hopefully benefit from it all. Of course, if you currently have unresolved health issues, please check with your health care practitioner (preferably one knowledgeable about whole foods nutrition) before making drastic changes in your diet.

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