Came a comment from a man who got upset because I said being strong and in shape makes you a better father:
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I’d expect a personal trainer would know how related diet and exercises are – can you really be fit if you exercise but have a poor diet?
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I suspect this was said in an attempt to discredit me to make himself feel better about some of the choices he makes.
But here’s the thing:
I’m not actually qualified to advise on diet beyond parroting government guidance and offering practical ways to make eating better possible.
In fact, the only professionals in the UK who are appropriately qualified and regulated to provide definitive advice on food are dietitians.
Ergo, unless a PT is *also* a registered dietitian, they have no business whatsoever writing meal plans, advising on supplementation, or even recommending a specific dietary approach (e.g. intermittent fasting, the so-called “carnivore diet”, and so on).
Likewise with “nutritionists”.
Appropriately, just last week I was perusing a forum frequented by medical professionals and this exact issue came up.
A dietitian was talking about how they know of a nutritionist who does very well out of the local cancer support group.
Apparently, this charlatan tells these cancer patients to stop eating carbs (‘cuz sUgAr FeEdZ cAnCeR!1!!1). A very dangerous thing to recommend, given how cancer can lead to a type of metabolic syndrome called “cachexia” that causes tremendous muscle and fat loss leading to frailty and, ultimately, death.
And, unsurprisingly, the dietitian went on to say this numpty’s “advice” has perhaps indirectly resulted in decisions to end active treatment because the patients are too weak to tolerate it.
I also see the carnage caused by these clowns who think themselves experts in nutrition on a somewhat regular basis.
Nary a week goes by where I don’t have a conversation with someone who has a terrible relationship with food thanks to some clown of a coach.
Typically, they’re eating to a painfully restrictive schedule, not eating certain foods, tracking everything in an infernal app, and utterly unable to enjoy something as simple as an icecream with their kid(s) (unless it’s part of a “cheat day”).
What’s more, they feel great distress when they’re unable to do the aforementioned.
It’s almost like these PTs and nutritionists are in the business of imparting their own eating disorders onto others.
Almost.
Anyway.
This is why you won’t find any detailed advice on diet in my book, “The Weight Loss Manifesto”.
Eating is discussed at some length; but I won’t tell you what you can or can’t eat, exactly how much you should or shouldn’t be eating, how many meals you ought or ought not to have in a day, or anything like that.
This does mean you will need to apply a hearty amount of critical thinking and plenty of patient practice to get my approach to work for you.
You may even identify a need to consult with a registered dietitian, if you’re really struggling with the “food” side of things.
The book is £15.
It’s significantly cheaper than my other books not because it’s any less valuable, but because the topic is so important I don’t want price to be a barrier to anyone who needs it from getting their hands on it.
All the details are below:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/manifesto
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman