Skip to main content

The World Wide Web of Lies and Confusion


Related image
The internet is simultaneously one of the best and worst things to happen. While it's nice that we have access to endless amounts of information at our fingertips, it can be difficult figuring out what is true and what is false. When it comes to nutrition and health, the internet is often responsible for the myths people believe about food. So how are we supposed to find the truth?

When searching the internet for the latest food and diet tips here are some key steps to keep in mind.

1) Pay attention to the website

Does the website seem like a reputable source that would share factual nutrition information or does it seem like a site that is mostly sharing opinions? Next time you do a Google search, look for websites that end in ".org", ".edu", or ".gov" instead of ".com". I'm not saying all ".com" websites are posting false information but you have a better chance of finding accurate information from websites of national organizations or institutions. Online medical journals often end in ".com" but are great resources for getting the most up to date research on nutrition and health.

2) Pay attention to who is giving the information 

Image result for registered dietitianThink about whose opinion you trust the most. If you are searching the internet for the latest diet advice it would be beneficial to look at resources from someone who is credentialed and certified in the subject, such as a Registered Dietitian. Doctors can sometimes provide accurate nutrition advice but nutrition is usually not their specialty and they can sometimes be wrong. It is common to see "nutritionists" writing blogs or articles online, which can be confusing for people who don't understand the difference between a Dietitian and nutritionist. The main difference is that there is no schooling or certification required for people who call themselves "nutritionists", however, Registered Dietitian's go through years of school and get credentialed to give nutrition advice based on scientific research. So when in doubt, always choose a Registered Dietitian.

3) Don't just look at one source...shop around!

If you got told you had incurable cancer would you trust that one opinion and stop there? No (well hopefully not), so why would you trust the first thing you read on the internet? Next time you are searching the internet for nutrition advice read at least 3 different sources and see how they compare. If they all say the same information then you can probably trust that it is true. If they all say different information then maybe you should keep doing your research.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

To Supplement or Not to Supplement?

We've all heard it before. "Take B12 it will give you more energy than a cup of coffee" or "take vitamin C it will prevent you from getting sick." Is there any actual truth to this or are we all just wasting our money on supplements? It is true that vitamins and minerals are good for us and are required for a lot of basic bodily functions such as immune function, eye function, and growth and development. However, does that mean that just because we take a bunch of vitamin C and zinc everyday that we will never get sick? Probably not. When we are deficient in certain vitamins and minerals supplementation can be a way to ensure our body is getting what it needs. But if we are not deficient in anything, then taking supplements will either make your body excrete the excess amounts in your urine or will cause your body to overload and have possible toxic effects. Similar to a gas tank in your car, your body only needs a certain amount of vitamins and mine...
Post a Comment
Read more

Detox Yourself From The Myths About Juice Cleanses

Before I begin I must say that I am a full believer in balance. Eating a little bit of every food group in the right amount is key to a healthy AND happy lifestyle. Juice cleanses, however, do not fall into my interpretation of balance. Whether you hear it from a friend, celebrity, or advertisement on the radio, you are likely not the only one considering starting a juice cleanse. Advocates for juice cleanses claim that it will help you lose weight and will rid your body of all the "toxins" you accumulated over the weekend. I will say that the majority of American's are not eating enough fruits and vegetables so juicing can help you consume a high amount of these foods in a small quantity. But does this one pro outweigh the cons? Before you sign up for an overly priced juice cleanse system lets dig deeper into the truth . Weight Loss: Fact or Myth? If you are considering starting a juice cleanse to lose weight you will likely be disappointed. You may lose a few...
Post a Comment
Read more