01/29/2026
When people say they’re “well-versed in nutrition science,” it often shows up as over-simplified, outdated soundbites like “avoid salt” or “animal products are bad" or "diet soda rather than regular soda". However, unfortunately it is not that simple.
Here is the truth:
Nutrition science is not static. It evolves as we learn more about bioavailability, individual variability, gut health, genetics, metabolic status, and life stage.
Blanket avoidance recommendations (salt, animal foods, saturated fat, cholesterol, etc.) ignore context—and context is everything.
For many people, avoiding salt can lower intake of critical minerals (sodium, iodine when iodized salt is used, and other trace minerals in unrefined salts) and negatively impact adrenal function, blood pressure regulation, and energy—especially in active individuals, postpartum women, low-carb eaters, or those under chronic stress.
Avoiding animal products often reduces intake of highly bioavailable nutrients like:
Vitamin B12
Heme iron
Zinc
Selenium
Choline
Vitamin A (retinol)
DHA & EPA
These nutrients are hard to obtain in adequate amounts from plant foods alone, particularly for women, pregnant/postpartum moms, those with gut issues, thyroid dysfunction, or higher metabolic demands.
The real issue is quality, sourcing, and individual needs, not the food category itself.
At the end of the day, this is why working with a practitioner that stays up to date on new research and is trained in translation of nutritional science is your best resource for wellness information
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