I Like Dissident Dietitians

I Like Dissident Dietitians

Nutrition – The synergistic interaction of countless nutrients, and their effect on human health.

The above definition best represents my view of nutrition which I owe mostly to the work of T. Colin Campbell.  Campbell’s book “Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition” has had the biggest influence on me. If you haven’t read the book, you can read Jefferson M. Fish’s thorough book review in this article.

In an earlier article, I tried to convince dietitians and others to take a more (w)holistic approach to nutrition. Dietitians go through an intensive accredited program with the hope that the general public and other health care professionals will consider registered dietitians as nutritional “authorities”.  I’ve come to the conclusion that any dietitian (or any other health care professional) who views nutrition with a reductionist lens, should not be looked at as a legitimate nutrition authority.  They should be resisted!

The Dissident Psychologist

I stumbled upon the ideas of psychologist Bruce E. Levine through various articles and this YouTube video.   Early in his career, Dr. Levine became embarrassed by the mental health field and many of the practices in psychology and psychiatry. He considers most psychologists and psychiatrists illegitimate mental health authorities. He calls himself a Dissident Psychologist and over the years he has discovered that other Dissident Psychologists exist around the world.

Dr. Levine has been able to do pretty well in private practice, but he admits that being a Dissident Psychologist has limited his professional options. For example, he knew early on that he would never have a chance to become a psychology professor.

I Can Relate

The term “Dissident” really resonates with me because I think it perfectly describes me and some other plant-based dietitians I know.  I wish I wasn’t a Dissident Dietitian. I wish my definition of Nutrition, or something similar to it, was the dominant definition among dietitians. . But it isn’t.  Until it is, I can take comfort in knowing that there are other Dissident Dietitians on the planet.  I’ve listed some of them on the “Resources” page of this web site.  I consider these dietitians to be legitimate nutrition authorities.

I am currently reading and enjoying Dr. Levine’s book “Resisting Illegitimate Authorities”.  It is the impetus for this article.

Stay Healthy and Strong!