Patricia Chuey

Food and Nutrition Expert | Recipe Developer

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Eating Healthier May Not Be the Answer

January 3, 2019 By Patricia Chuey

If 2019 is the year you plan to make major strides towards improved health and energy but in a way that will last forever rather than just while you’re on ‘the diet’, healthier eating may not be the answer. Eating well is indeed a very important part of achieving optimal health, but on its own it simply is not enough.

There is one word that sums up what the healthiest people on the planet have mastered: CONSISTENCY. Vibrant, optimistic, energetic people who rarely get sick have made physically and mentally healthy habits a permanent part of their lives. Think about it for a second. Are the healthiest people you know constantly gaining and losing weight or trying the latest fitness trend? Do they always want to talk about their food intolerances or eating style? Generally, they’re people who are positive and very healthy throughout their whole lives. How they do this is by permanently, consistently and carefully balancing the multiple variables that contribute to optimal health. It’s a daily commitment and frequently requires tough decisions in a world full of unhealthy options and threats – including extreme negativity. Many of the factors that enhance well-being are illustrated in the Wheel of Health here. Some of them, like genetics, are not in our control – at least not yet. Other factors, like economics or addictions, may be adjustable, but definitely are not easy things to change for many.

The Wheel of Health is always in motion. Constant fine-tuning or micro-managing of just one or two spokes in the wheel – commonly healthy eating and exercise – will never produce optimal health. Given that we are physical, mental and spiritual beings, to maintain optimal health, we must take measures that address ALL of these areas…and throughout our whole life. If you’ve pretty much got healthy eating mastered, there may be an opportunity to look at other spokes in your efforts to get healthier.

A few days ago just before the start of the new year, I came across a news article suggesting how one adult can eat nutritiously for $65 per month. The dietitian who contributed her time and expertise to this article most likely did so voluntarily – as is the case for many  of these types of stories. I don’t know her.

This article was most likely designed to encourage the notion that healthy eating can be achieved on a reasonable budget (and it can) despite popular misconception that to eat healthy requires shopping exclusively at natural food stores or sourcing expensive food. There were practical ideas in the story that some readers likely found helpful and appetizing.

I haven’t been back to check but the day I read the online article I also reviewed the comments readers had posted about the story. On that day, the feedback was unfortunately overwhelmingly harsh, negative and in my opinion, extremely unhealthy. The fact that a short article with a few meal and snack ideas could infuriate so many people is deeply concerning to me. If it’s not your preferred eating style, I recommend letting it go and putting the rage-like energy into something more productive…and healthy.

Everyone eats, has preferences and deeply personal beliefs around what approach works best for them. In fact, that is an important thing to establish. If how you eat keeps you energized, happy, at a healthy weight with healthy blood pressure, normal cholesterol, steady blood sugar, disease-free and out of the doctor’s office, know that your eating approach is likely working. Don’t change it.

Unfortunately, food has become a replacement for traditional religion for some. It’s as if it’s the new, open church where you find the ‘squad’ or ‘tribe’ that’s aligned with your beliefs – whether it be only people who eat ‘clean’, all the people who are against animal agriculture, purely those who exist on carefully sourced coffee and energy bars or other ‘congregations’ for example. Over the past decade, food choices have become a statement, a badge to wear or a negatively-charged dialogue to have instead of simply being enjoyment, sustenance and fuel for life. Innocent bystanders on the edge of these articles and conversations end up feeling guilty and wondering if they’re eating the right thing – even if the approach they follow is truly keeping them healthy.

I’ve been immersed in consumer food and nutrition issues since I began studying to become a dietitian 34 years ago. Over the past 3 decades I’ve kept my ear very close to the ground and been in thousands of conversations about eating and healthy living. I’ve also had hundreds of in-depth counseling sessions (a minimum of 3 hours each) with individuals looking to improve their health whether it be by losing weight, recovering from cancer, enhancing their professional athletic career, managing their food allergies, resolving digestive system woes, expanding their repertoire of healthy meal ideas, or nourishing their active family well on a budget.

It is crystal clear to me that endless micro-managing of ones’ food intake without acknowledging or addressing the other spokes in the wheel never fully or consistently produces optimal health. Getting angry and raging about one dietitian’s suggestion of how to eat well for $65 per month indicates to me that there may be room to work on some of the other spokes in the wheel. Definitely if a sense of health-enhancing calm, peace, joy and energy is the goal. (And the article I chose as an example is just one. Pretty much every article I’ve seen written about food in the past few years is harshly and excessively critiqued.) I feel for the genuine food experts who share from their science and fact-based education, career long experience and client successes who get chewed up for just about every morsel of advice they write while it was shared in the spirit of improved well-being.

Maybe the whole trip of life is driven by the fact that perhaps we never truly achieve optimal results with every spoke in the wheel? It’s as if we need to have something to be working on to keep us alive, interested, talking and making it happen. It’s like juggling multiple balls. If we no longer have any left in the air perhaps our life ends?

In setting health goals for the new year and far beyond, taking measures that can be consistently and permanently maintained is best. Over-managing any one area, as all too often happens with food, won’t do it. Operating with kindness rather than harsh judgement towards our bodies, others and our planet, achieves better and more lasting results than aggression and hurt. Thirty years of seeing individuals overcome great challenges and achieve health success has clearly shown me that.

Wishing you a happy, healthy new year!

Filed Under: ChueyOnThis Tagged With: food religion, food tribes, getting healthier, its not just all about eating, kindness is healthy, New Years Resolutions, wheel of health

3 Healthy Actions You Can Take Right Now

January 19, 2017 By Patricia Chuey

Over 60% of Canadians make a New Year’s Resolution. 80% say their goal is to “live a healthier lifestyle”. Unfortunately, only half act on their resolution for a few weeks and the majority agree their resolutions never last.

Part of the problem…the goal of “living healthier” is far too big. To make a goal attainable, it needs to be specific and attainable.

With a goal of being healthier, 3 VERY do-able healthy lifestyle adjustments that can make a BIG difference over the course of the year to your health include:

  1. Making half your plate vegetables in most meals.
  • This automatically gives you more fibre, less fat, less salt and less sugar while promoting feeling more satisfied.
  • Buying fresh fruits and vegetables regularly to always have a good supply on hand is required to consistently make this happen. Pick them up at least 2-3 times each week.
  • Cook at home more often and emphasize vegetables. When you do dine out, ask for more vegetables than ‘starch’ on your plate.
  • Eat well-balanced meals that focus on plant-based food more than meat. I like the idea of treating meat like a ‘condiment’.

2. Be consistent in taking good quality vitamin supplements.

  • All adults over age 50 should be taking vitamin D daily. Unfortunately, we just can’t get enough D from the sun and the small group of foods that contain vitamin D like fatty fish, fortified milk and egg yolks, for example)
  • 60% of Canadians aren’t getting all of the nutrients they need from food alone…taking a smart multivitamin is a good option.
  • 40% don’t get enough omega-3 from fish, nuts, seeds and oils…omega-3 supplements are helpful for many people.
  • Before taking ANY vitamins or supplements like super greens, talk to a registered dietitian, pharmacist and/or a trusted health professional who knows you and your unique needs well.

3. Walk!

  • Never underestimate the power of 20-30 minutes. Avoid having an all-or-nothing-approach…ie “I either go to the gym for a good hour or I do nothing”.
  • A 20-minute walk is just 2 chunks of 10 minutes! Walk out your door for 10 minutes, turn around and come back and you’ve done a 20-minute workout. A daily, 20-30 minute vigourous walk done consistently over the course of the year would add up to the caloric expenditure equivalent of 10-12 pounds!
  • Walking is one of the best all around exercises for your heart, circulation, blood pressure, blood sugar and weight. Being active on most days also gives you more wiggle room in your diet.

There are many other spokes in the ‘wheel of health’ that contribute to well-being, for example: healthy sleep, stress management, happiness, job satisfaction, healthy relationships, living smoke-free, taking an 80-20 approach with eating…it all matters. The more CONSISTENT we can be with our healthy decisions and choices, rather than being trendy or on start-and-stop bandwagons, the more positive outcomes.

Wishing you a very happy and healthy new year!

Thanks CTV Morning Live Vancouver for the opportunity to share these tips on the show!

Filed Under: Fresh Ideas Tagged With: consistent healthy habits, half plate as vegetables, healthy 2017, New Years Resolutions, vitamins, walking, weight loss

Patricia Chuey

It has been my life’s work to create peace of mind around food and health. What an absolute joy to connect with so many who have shared, done the work and now reap the benefits of an energized, healthy life!

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This was the BEST lunch and learn I have ever been to. Informative, not lecturing like this topic can sometimes be. Patricia was a very effective presenter and I found it incredibly beneficial to me. She was fantastic; informative, funny and interesting!

Deanie Foley Gillespie

Patricia developed 96 original recipes for BC Tree Fruits. In addition to providing recipe development and nutritional analysis, she also determines if recipes are suitable for low fat, heart healthy and diabetic diets. Patricia always met the challenge of creating recipes that target our numerous fruit commodities as she brings vast industry knowledge to the… Read more “Deanie Foley Gillespie”

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I’ve had the pleasure of working with Patricia for the past 9 years conducting Health and Wealth seminars. Patricia is one of the most captivating and enjoyable speakers I know. Her subtle humour and extensive knowledge of nutrition and well-being amazes her audiences. I recommend attending her highly sought after seminars. You’ll learn the key… Read more “Rhonda Klatik”

Ann Collette

I have had the pleasure of working with Patricia Chuey in her capacity as a dietitian, recipe developer, writer and consultant for more than 15 years. Patricia has truly distinguished herself, not only for her comprehensive knowledge of nutrition and contemporary nutrition-related issues but also her empirical knowledge of health in general – attributes that… Read more “Ann Collette”

Karen Stark

Working with Patricia was a wonderful experience, her knowledge, experience and passion for food was very apparent. She worked on several tofu recipes for us and for our tofu cookbook that helped it become a great seller on store shelves

Tori Wesszer

“Patricia was the very first mentor I ever had, and I’ve looked up to her ever since the day I walked into her office.  An extremely accomplished business woman and dietitian, Patricia’s passion for helping people succeed is truly unprecedented.  I’ve had the great fortune of learning from Patricia over the years, and can put… Read more “Tori Wesszer”

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You make me look sooo good. The staff are buzzing around talking to each other and saying how great you are. Thank you once again for making our staff appreciation day function so successful.

Jack Hourigan

Patricia brings vast nutritional knowledge, quick wit and professionalism to every show. She is a pleasure to work with, is a talented dietitian and has a calming presence on and off camera…everyone should have a Patricia Chuey in their lives…we’d all be a little happier and healthier!

Emma Lee

Patricia Chuey was a freelance writer for Urbanbaby & Toddler magazine for 9 years. Her articles were not only accurate and timely but also engaging and well written. In readership surveys, her articles received some of the highest marks from our discerning readers.

Jeff Bohnen

Patricia came back to Intrawest for a return engagement as a guest of our Health & Safety Committee, and was just as great the second time around! Not only is she funny and engaging, but she also has an amazing ability to be a teacher, not a preacher. Her easy-to-remember, common sense approach to nutrition… Read more “Jeff Bohnen”

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Patricia exudes her own joy de vivre and is always ready to roll. She is graceful and professional while sharing her knowledge and expertise with our viewers. She is someone you can relate to and look forward to seeing. Patricia “invites you in” and you want to stay. She is the perfect expert/co-host.

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