One Size Doesn't Fit All

New dietitian Diane Bowers offers individualized approach to healthy eating

October 7, 2008

Diane Bowers, the college’s first registered dietitian, offers a healthy serving of nutrition education, individual counseling and support groups.

When Diane Bowers, the college's first registered dietitian, stepped onto the Dickinson campus this August, she saw unlimited potential. "This environment—it's ripe for education, ripe for exploring new possibilities."

From her office tucked behind the photo ID counter in the HUB, Bowers holds individual counseling sessions for students, faculty and staff members; coordinates lunch-and-learn sessions; and offers nutrition-education programs.

She also plans to start a weight-loss support group, create a Dietitian's Corner in the cafeteria and begin a cookbook that includes favorite recipes from students, faculty and staff members.

Bowers brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area of health and nutrition. She was the food-services director at Carlisle Hospital for 21 years and owns Holistic Health, a practice that researches and teaches health-related topics such as weight loss, sports nutrition and diabetes.

Though she's well-versed in menu planning, her approach is different—and more comprehensive—than what most people might expect from a dietitian.

"Basically, it starts with me listening, with my being present with the person, so I can hear and understand where they're coming from. People will come to me and say, 'Look, I'm so frustrated. I've been dieting for 10 years, and nothing seems to work. I'm about to give up.' And then we open up new possibilities."

Saying "no" to fad diets

For those looking for a magic formula, there isn't any, says Bowers. "I grew up in the era where a low-fat or no-fat diet was a really wonderful thing. But life isn't like that. Our bodies need good-quality fats, but we have a lot of people who think fats are just horrible. That's old thinking, and it's just not appropriate anymore."

The same goes for low- or no-carbohydrate diets. "That's also inappropriate, because carbohydrates are essential as our fuel source. They're like gasoline in the car."

Bowers notes that many people have dysfunctional attitudes about eating. "There's a lot of misinformation about food, and then we internalize it. We say, 'I'm good because I ate this, or I'm bad because I ate that.' " This misinformation, compounded by media images and societal standards, creates unrealistic ideas about what our bodies should look like.

"There's a whole package there that's kind of skewed," she says. "There would be a lot of people who would feel fine about themselves if they weren't being judged by these standards."

Emphasizing individual solutions and self-determination instead of a broad range of do's and don'ts yields better results. "Just changing your thought—and that's where it starts—changing your thought changes everything," Bowers says.

"So if you drink six sodas a day and you cut it down to three to begin with, that's significant," she adds. "We sometimes forget how important little things can be." This small step is what Bowers calls "movement in the direction of choice," and it can have great impact.

Quality matters

Bowers has been a vegetarian most of her life, eating mostly vegetables, fruits and whole grains—preferably organic. For her, what's most important is eating good-quality food and exercising regularly. Bowers has practiced yoga and qigong consistently for 10 years. "Those practices have helped me be flexible in thinking and in physical body, which is really important," she explains, crediting them with helping her to develop her original, holistic approach.

"My goal is always to see where the person is and go from there," she says. "See what works and make it livable and useful for them. It isn't a modality where one size fits all."

She anticipates working with student athletes and recently met with the women's and men's cross country teams to help them understand the connection between nutrition and athletic performance. Bowers explains that "so much can change based not just on what you eat but when you eat it and how you eat it. It's a fine-tuned science."

"It was really good for them to hear this from someone else, to echo and magnify what I've been saying," says Don Nichter, head coach for the women's and men's cross country teams.

He plans to invite her back to speak to the track and field team in the spring and has encouraged his athletes to seek out individual counseling.

Bowers hopes to establish a weight-loss support group that differs from Weight Watchers. "I've certainly counseled many [Dickinson] people so far with weight issues," she explains. "Some have been there, done that. Or maybe they don't have time for it. Some who are in Weight Watchers might want the extra time and support."

Bowers is available Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for individual and group sessions. She also spends time in the dining hall and walking around campus and throughout the HUB. "I want people to know who I am. My choice is to be highly utilized."

To reach Diane Bowers, call her at ext. 1762 or e-mail bowersd@dickinson.edu.