Wellness and nutrition: Valuable advice from certified nutritionist Mélanie Messer
Nutrition, an essential pillar of our well-being, plays a fundamental role in our daily lives. Indeed, what we eat has a significant impact on our physical and mental health. As Mélanie says, “It's biochemical: we are what we eat”. In this article, she talks to us about this interesting subject and warns us against misinformation. Having experienced it myself, nothing beats the sound advice of a professional.
Welcome Mélanie, could you introduce yourself and tell us about your career as a nutritionist?
Hello everyone! I'm Mélanie, a qualified and ASCA-accredited nutritionist-nutritherapist. I've been passionate about nutrition since 2009, the year that changed my relationship with food following a health problem linked to Escherichia Coli bacteria. As time went by, I honed my knowledge, testing the impact of a proper, targeted diet, first on myself with results that proved incredibly positive, and then by formally training to open my own practice. I'm absolutely delighted to be able to share my knowledge and experience with all the people I follow, so that everyone can have access to a better quality of life.
What role does food play in our daily well-being?
Nutrition plays a major role. Numerous studies show that nutrition accounts for 70% of a person's health and vitality. The remaining 20% is due to movement and physical activity, and less than 10% to genetics.
As a result, what's important to know is that we hold in our hands the keys to improving our physical and mental health, our dynamism, our aches and pains - whether chronic or occasional - so that we can be in full possession of all our capacities on a daily basis.
Fatigue, depression, lack of energy, overweight, aches and pains, digestive problems, acne, a large number of illnesses... the list goes on... are not inevitable.
What are the main advantages of a personalized approach to nutrition over more general advice?
With the unlimited access to information provided by social networks and the internet, it's so easy to come across a wide variety of information on nutrition and diet. What was once considered a simple act of survival, is now part of trivial choices, often leading to suffering. While the subject should remain simple, we are inundated with information, each more contradictory than the last. What a jungle!
Have you ever been confronted with an advertisement advising you to stop eating fat, only to turn the page and discover a diet that only extols the virtues of fat? That's exactly what the personalized approach is for. Drawing up advice based on a unique situation and having an equally unique bond with the person consulting you are important elements in achieving very good results in the changes you're hoping for. Overall, although there is a small universal base that can be applied to all human beings, not everyone has the same needs, the same goals, the same background, nor the same metabolism. This is why a personalized approach is recommended.
What are the most common challenges your customers face when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet, and how do you help them overcome these challenges?
I'd say the biggest challenges my customers tell me about are time, organization and “where and what to start with”.
Time and organization: Together, we develop an approach that takes into account the person's lifestyle (do they have children, do they work, how do they approach meals, etc.). I'd like to reassure readers that YES, it's perfectly possible to eat healthily, while spending very little time in the kitchen and therefore having time for other activities.
Where and how to start: The first priority is to define a concrete, measurable objective. Then we put the changes in place, little by little, with exercises to do, new habits to implement and, above all, the most important thing is to gain self-confidence in the process. This promises a beautiful transformation!
What are the most common food-related mistakes people make?
The first mistake is not hydrating enough. 2 liters of water a day for a woman is basic. If you try it, you'll see miracles for your skin and digestion, and you'll no longer feel like you're constantly “in a fog”.
The second mistake is not eating enough vegetables. We were lulled, I would even say traumatized, by the “eat your vegetables or you won't get out of the table” advice. I have to say that this advice from our parents was one of the wisest. We think we cover our daily vegetable intake by eating a few salad leaves. But no, you need more, and that's the second most important thing.
Can food play a specific role in improving certain health problems? Do you have an example to share?
Yes, completely, and in many illnesses and health problems, the role of nutrition is now well known. There are many examples, and without going into detail, I've seen very positive developments in skin problems (acne, eczema, dry skin, oily skin, etc.), digestive problems (constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, stomach aches, acid reflux, etc.) and also in osteoarthritis pain, for example, with some wonderful healing stories. This is just to mention a few, as the spectrum of applications is wide.
What's your opinion on dietary supplements, and do you think they're necessary as part of a balanced diet? as part of a balanced diet?
The priority remains learning to eat a balanced diet. Food supplements are a very good crutch to make up for depletions and deficiencies at a given point along the way, in order to support the person's objectives. Secondly, most dietary supplements are not necessary, with the exception of certain supplements that cannot be covered by the current diet (e.g. omega-3). Beware, however: just like information on nutrition, the world of dietary supplements is a veritable jungle. That's why it's always best to seek advice from a qualified professional.
Finally, if you had to pass on just one piece of nutritional advice, what would it be?
Treat yourself while listening to yourself. The famous 80/20 rule speaks for itself: 80% of the week's meals are spent eating a balanced, healthy diet. The remaining 20% is for indulging yourself, going to a restaurant and choosing what you want from the menu, or taking part in social activities or other activities.
Food should be kept simple, and it's perfectly possible to combine health, pleasure and simplicity!
Take care of yourself 🙂
