Restrictive Diets: What Are the Consequences? How Should We Approach Them?

This lecture by Dr. Jean-Baptiste Bonnet, a senior resident at Montpellier University Hospital in Prof. Ariane Sultan’s Nutrition and Diabetes Department, is being organized as part of theUM ’s Disability Master Plan and the European Week for the Employment of People with Disabilities. 

Food is, probably, the physiological need with the strongest sociological significance. Every civilization, every religion, and every people has reflected on the act of eating, established norms for it, and incorporated it into their spirituality and rituals. It is therefore not surprising that when a person faces a personal challenge—such as an academic exam, a poorly managed chronic illness, or a sports competition—they try to use food as a means to achieve their goal of improved performance or pain relief. This is when diets—some more restrictive than others, some more deficient in nutrients than others, and, above all, some more scientifically grounded than others—come into play. In the case of certain medical conditions and disabilities, resorting to this type of diet is also not uncommon. It is up to the professional supporting these individuals to understand the principles, pitfalls, and potential benefits of such diets, while never losing sight of the value system that almost constantly underlies them.

Admission is free, but registration is required by Wednesday, November 20, 2024.