Back in 2005, when I was training as a Nutritionist… I became something of a ‘wholegrain bore’ - something that I can’t now reflect on without wincing slightly!
In hindsight, it was kind of inevitable really, as when you’re immersed in studying the intricacies of ‘food as fuel’, it’s almost impossible not look to look at coffee/caffeine with a scornful side-eye!
That said, I now appreciate how ‘healthy eating’ can easily become a stick we use to beat ourselves with, and while ‘knowledge is power’…I would be inclined to say that sometimes, knowing too much about the sorry-state of your favourite drink’s vitamin profile… it’s not a good thing.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say ignorance is bliss, but what I would say is this…
Knowing your hydrators from your diuretics is great.
But…
Having the tools to detach from this knowledge, and the subsequent intrusive thoughts of a hormone helter-skelter every time you order a flat white … that is just as useful. And just as important.
It’s safe to say, I’m no longer IN the ‘nutrition is my life’ bubble, and not just because I refuse to buy into any narrative that paints my beloved morning coffee, as the root of all nutritional evil.
As well, it could be that during these times of heightened mental health awareness, I’m much more aware of the grey area between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ choices, where the emotional benefits of breaking the cardinal rules of ‘healthy eating’, can sometimes outweigh any so-called ‘anti-nutrients’ imposed on the body in the process.
Of course, there are many nutritionist-run accounts on social media which DO champion the #caffeinefreelife, and often with solid scientific basis, it has to be said.
On occasion, I might well be one of those accounts, but for every herbal-tea peddling post you read on here… a chaser of #coffeeislife will probably never be far behind.