People are hungry for nutrition information but how do you know if you are being fed the truth?
There's a lot of conflicting advice when it comes to nutrition as the media is quick to report every nutrition study that comes out. Believe it or not, there was a time in the not-to-long past when research studies were read by scientists and collectively, only the most useful information, from the most useful studies, would make it into the newspapers.
While it's great to take your personal health into your own hands by making your own nutrition decisions, being too reliant on every nutrition "fact" can lead to information overload. With so much nutrition information on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter, websites, TV, magazines, radio, advertisements, friends and family, it's easy to feel confused and conflicted.
Accurate nutrition information is science-based, peer reviewed and can be replicated. Nutrition fraud is information that is not supported by science or is missing important details and information.
Because it can be rather difficult to recognize the difference between reputable and fraudulent nutrition advice, be aware of these red flags when reading the newest article, diet book, tip or advertisement (this information is collected from the Food and Nutrition Science Alliance).
- Recommendations that promise a quick fix.
- Dire warnings of danger from a single product or regimen.
- Claims that sound too good to be true.
- Simplistic conclusions drawn from a complex study.
- Recommendations based on a single study.
- Dramatic statements that are refuted by reputable scientific organizations.
- Lists of “good” and “bad” foods.
- “Spinning” information from another product to match the producer’s claims.
- Stating that research is “currently underway,” indicating that there is no current research.
- Non-science based testimonials supporting the product, often from celebrities or highly satisfied customers.
Sadly, with limited enforcement of laws and regulations on dietary supplements, research studies that go public before being published in a scientific journal, research with conflicting interests, and far too many individuals identifying themselves as "nutrition experts," fraudulent nutrition will never end.
To better recognize reliable nutrition advice from media sources, follow these tips:
- Look for credible websites ending in .edu, .gov, or .org. Websites ending in .com (commercial) or .net (networks) should be read with caution. Be careful of clicking on the first few websites that appear after your google search. Many of which are not from reputable websites.
- Look for credible qualifications when reading nutrition advice/tips, especially online and in books and in magazine articles. RD, DTR, LD or PhD (in a nutrition related field) represent comprehensive and formal education in the field of nutrition or dietetics.
- Don't believe everything you see/hear on TV. Be critical and look for research to support claims.
- If you are promised immediate, quick or guaranteed results, it's too good to be true. Words like miracle, special or break-through are designed to appeal to your emotions and are not scientific terms.
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