Diet interventions are undertaken to change something. It's pretty undeniable that the want to improve physical appearance is the most common motivating factor behind diet intervention. The level of diet-related knowledge, experience and practice is a large determining factor in the appropriate dieting approach at a given time. So there is no black and white answer to 'how one should diet'. In the case of tracking OR non-tracking diet styles the answer is almost always, 'it depends', or 'both', either together or at different times. To discuss this topic further I was joined by @flex_success coach @shannonbeer_ in episode 41 of the Macabolic podcast. While a state of being able to control diet variables via a total reliance on internal control, free from numbers based tracking sounds appealing and should be the ultimate end goal for most people. It needs to be said that developing the ability to 'maintenance eat' has to be developed over time through stages that involve various approaches all contributing to becoming an 'informed eater'. Credit to the Bondi Hipster with 'The life organic' on Youtube.

What are the 4 main pillars that define a 'good', effective diet & what is the bonus 5 pillar that makes results life long? Originally a solo episode, I called upon my fellow Fortitude Nutrition Coaching coach Ryan to assist in providing you with a list of criteria to assess whether your diet fits the bill of a 'good' diet. What might shock you is that most of the stuff you're having anxiety over, doesn't even matter. So before you message every Insta fitness personality asking 'is my diet good'? Listen to this first to get a clear, and correct answer. #fortitudenutritioncoaching #sportsnutrition #nutritionist #teamFNC

What most don't realise is that being an Insta PT does not make someone a legitimately accredited Sports Nutritionist. The idea of who's legit, what's legit and what's not, can be a massive grey area full of confusion in the nutrition, coaching space in Australia. To provide sound diet coaching it takes a level of underlying understanding and critical thinking that for the most part is only present in those who have legitimate formal sports nutrition education under their belt. While there are a few truly amazing industry folks that don't have any formal nutrition education who indeed know a vast amount and absolutely have that level of understanding, and critical thinking needed. Most fall short despite what they perceive, and what Instagram thinks. Non-legitimate 'certifications', seminars, perhaps a comp prep and a decent ability to use My Fitness Pal won't provide a sufficient understanding, a sufficient ability to apply diet interventions given individual contexts and any formal right to be able to legitimately coach beyond the level of basic recommendations aligning with the Australian food guidelines (the food pie chart).

As nutrition is a topic that applies to all humans. Personal beliefs, opinions are common and many feel the need to voice their approach, thoughts, and ideas surrounding how we should eat. However, while we're all fundamentally the same as species, there are only a few things that can be applied with minimal contextual background or consideration. A lack of understanding likely derived from a lack of actual education can result in advice, messages, and content about diet spreading that doesn't consider the negative implications that can result when individual circumstances and possibilities are not considered. These implications can be dangerous. Effects include physical and psychological and can impact all facets of total human health. They can be so severe to the point of fatality. In episode 38 of the Macabolic Podcast. I was lucky enough to be joined by Sheridan Skye who shared some of the eye-opening situations shes witnessed that have been the result of negligent diet advice. Hope you learn something, Mac

In episode 37 of the Macabolic Podcast. I was privileged to be joined by Martin MacDonald, owner and founder of Mac Nutrition Uni. Martin touches on the journey he endured fighting against the hating gurus, who wanted to see him fail. Only to come out on top at the end of the day through staying true to his ethics and not selling out. This is a deep podcast, so prepare to be inspired! Mac

It was super cool to sit down for a coffee and a chat with legitimate evidence-based dietitian royalty Marika Day who specialises in gastrointestinal nutrition. It can be a fickle world for the layperson seeking real solutions to symptoms of IBS. With 'gut health' being a massive buzz word right now, it seems like every diet guru-woo-woo-zealot is exploiting the desperation of those suffering for reasons that puzzle both myself and Marika. In episode 36 of the Macabolic Podcast Marika provides some helpful rants, tips, and advice for those seeking basic, effective solutions. Which are more often than not the obvious, simple things staring you right in the face. Massive value for anyone suffering from IBS, or confused about all the hype around 'gut health'. Hope you enjoy! Follow Marika on Instagram: @marikaday

Plant-based dietitian Jacob Mcginness is a breathe of logical, fresh air the plant-based community really needs ( @theplantpotential ) if they're ever going to be taken seriously by the masses. In episode 35 of the Macabolic Podcast Jacob and I discuss some of the myths and false perceptions that come from both sides of the vegan argument. Both vegan lovers and haters alike. If you want some clarity among the confusion surrounding plant-based eating. Whether it's healthy, whether meat really is bad, what to look out for if you follow plant-based eating, and more. I strongly you give this episode a listen.

With the recent wave of evidence based coaching really rising rapidly, I've seen a rapid shift of focus towards neurotic calorie and macro tracking. So much so that people are becoming unaware of the costs relating to being fully reliant on My Fitness Pal to calories away from uncontrolled binge territory. Thus, I feel it's certainly something that needs some air time. In episode 34 of the Macabolic Podcast I'm joined by Dr Eric Helms to discuss the uses of MFP, and how to approach it as an acute strategy to avoid developing an unhealthy relationship with external metrics of tracking. Follow Eric on Instagram @helms3dmj Follow me on Instagram @mackenziebaker_ Thanks for listening, Mac.

What you don't see on Instagram is the trade off's and costs of dieting that present themselves both physically and mentally. In episode 33 of the Macabolic Podcast Dalton & Luke delve deep into what to expect, how to deal with it and how to not screw yourself up. At the hands of moron coaches who's primary motive is their social media recognition Hope you enjoy! Follow Dalton on Instagram @daltonfranke Follow Luke on Instagram @musclenerds_health Follow me on Instagram @mackenziebaker_

In episode 32 of the Macabolic Podcast I was lucky enough to be joined by coach and physique athlete, Taliha Paige. Both Taliha and I share a worry for the misleading nature of how physique competing is portrayed through Instagram. Driven by 'fitness scene social climbing', and the want for followers and short term, false gratification. Follow Taliha on Instagram @talihapaige Follow myself on Instagram @mackenziebaker_ Thanks for listening, I hope you learn something. Mac