Access to information is great, but do you ever just feel
overwhelmed by it, suffocated even? An online search for nutrition, healthy
diet, or meal plan pulls up millions of results each. Think getting more
specific will help you out? An inquiry for diabetes nutrition also gives you
more than 150 million links.
Recently on social media I have spotted an article entitled
“5 Foods to Never Eat” shared a multitude of times. I cringe when I see such
things. Why? Because I am afraid that the people sharing it are believing it.
Clinging to it as the absolute truth. Articles such as this abound and are
circulating across social media platforms rapidly.
The very next day you might see one of those “foods never to
eat” on another list, “5 of the Greatest Foods Ever.” The point is, conflicting
nutrition information is EVERYWHERE. So, what is one to do?
Check the credentials of the author. Are they experts in the
field on which they are writing? A medical doctor may be extremely educated in their
area of specialty, but most have received no formal nutrition education.
Registered Dietitians are the food and nutrition experts who can translate the
science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. Nutrition is
in fact a science, not an opinion.
Make sure the information is science-based. Exaggerated
health articles are rampant on the Internet. They draw people in with
ludicrous, eye-catching titles but leave the reader with inaccurate even
downright dangerous information.
Finally, is the information or advice practical? Don’t buy
into the never do this, always do that, lose 50 pounds in a week with this one
simple habit! Move on from absurd, outrageous claims and find a reputable
source for accurate information.
