Why I Can’t Date Brady

Obviously, the quarterback is married. So there’s that.

When a celebrity puts out dietary recommendations, of course people ask me for my reaction. So here it is. This isn’t a judgment on someone’s diet, it’s an observation.

…and before we get started, I admit, the title I chose was to help make you want to read this and consider/feel good about your own food filters. #sorrynotsorry #confession

When it comes to personal food interactions, people with very specific food needs and wants beyond medical reasons is a factor in the relationship. If you like to share an entrée when you go out, for example, the more restrictive food habits would be the limiting factor. Just like it would be interesting to pair a triathlete with a couch potato. Decisions impact who is in your bubble and what that interaction looks and feels like.

I’m a registered dietitian. I have a minor in chemistry. I respect, listen to, and accommodate my patient’s individual beliefs and medical history. I don’t judge. I do observe and consider options for people who need and want to make informed changes to their personal routine. This would be true for any celebrity as well if they were my patient. If someone doesn’t want to include certain options within each food group, I totally get that. The reason we are even talking about this is because people who look up to a particular celebrity ask me if it’s wrong if they eat something their idol doesn’t.

You can love and respect someone without eating exactly like they do.

Everyone deserves to make their own choices.  Everyone deserves to share ideas.

Sometimes, people share ideas to support product and book sales. (I haven’t read any recent celebrity’s books or purchased their food products at this point.)

Sometimes, people are just having a fun conversation about what they like and don’t like.

Sometimes, ideas are shared to provide options when what is being done currently might not be providing the desired results.

We all have likes and dislikes. That’s totally fun and appropriate.

Eating a balanced array of foods from all the wonderful food groups is important. If you cut through particular “trendy” details, it seems that this is something we could agree on.

Veggies daily? Yes please.

Protein for support of muscle? I’m in.

Whole grains and fiber-rich fruits/veg/grain options? Yes, yes, yes.

The devil is in the details…here are a few more particulars to consider:

Nightshades. This includes peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes. This means salsa, Marinara sauce, tomato soup, and chili, to name a few tomato-y options. Marinara has fewer calories and fat than Alfredo sauce. Salsa is a veggie-based, lower calorie dressing and dip option. Like any non-starchy vegetable, non-starchy nightshades offer about 25 calories per serving, and starchy veggies are about 80 calories per serving. If you do choose to avoid a certain veggie for personal reasons, no worries. Simply consider the color and type of veggie or fruit and find a different option in that color palette. For example, kale is deep green. So is spinach, broccoli, and loads of lettuce varieties. Tomatoes are red. So are beets – you get the point.

Mushrooms. Oh, hey umami. These pair great with beef. Or salad. Or pizza. Potential additions to where there may not have been something from the veggie group before. (PS they are technically not a veggie.)

Iodized salt. You may have read my salt blog. Monitor the amount of any salt you choose and understand why iodine was added in the first place.

Sugar. I’ve written about this, recently, too. It’s 15 calories per teaspoon. We need to pay attention to portions and types of all food we eat.

We could talk more about so many personal choices in terms of portions, type of fat, fiber, food groups, and/or nutrients included. I’ve talked about many of these things already. We’ll talk more in the future.

Bottom line? Food choices are personal and each of us gets to decide for ourselves how we want to support our bodies and brains. If your taste buds tell you no, give another option a go.

…and in regards to dating a different type of eater than you are? That’s ok, too. Just respect each other’s choices and be open to trying new things that mesh with your personal health goals and medical history.