Eating Right: Tips on How to Identify Reliable Nutrition Information
|
|
People of all ages need proper nutrition in order to stay healthy and strong, but how do you know if the claims on the box will come true for you? Dr. Grandma's, an organization founded by our vice chairperson, Dr. Joyce Bunderson, promotes nutritious eating and healthy foods for healthy living. We offer here some advice on how to think critically about nutritional information.
- Consider the source. Is the information coming from the person selling the product? Consider the possibility of bias.
- Are there unrealistic claims that one product will cure a large number of health problems? No special juice or pill will "cure all."
- Does the advice sound too good to be true? It probably is.
- Do you need to buy some special product?
- Does the advice suggest that you replace food with supplements? The best source of complete nutrients is from foods, as they offer a variety of them. Supplements are to be used in addition to food, not as a substitute for it.
|
 |
- Does the advice suggest that you not consume whole categories of food? Each group of foods supplies different nutrients - don't skip food groups.
- Does the information offer an instant cure or quick fix? Masking a problem does not fix it. Curing problems or managing diseases take time and patience.
|
 |
The American Dietetic Association also has suggestions about verifying reliable nutrition information in the web:
- When looking online, consider the sponsor of the information. In general, websites that end in .edu (meaning an educational institution) or .gov (meaning government agencies) tend to be the most credible. sources of nutrition information. Websites ending in .org (meaning organizations, often nonprofit) also can be a good source of information, along with some sites ending in .com (meaning commercial sites). The key is to be a savvy consumer. If in doubt, ask a registered dietitian or other health care provider to help you evaluate a website before you put too much value on the information it provides.
|
- Who are the authors of the information? Remember, credible information comes from qualified nutrition experts. Look for credentials such as RD (registered dietitian) or MD, and affiliations with nationally known health organizations like the American Dietetic Association (ADA), the American Medical Association (AMA), or the American Heart Association (AHA).
|
 Is the information factual with cited references, or is it opinion-based? Look for information supported by established scientific findings that includes a list of references or links to the scientific studies or other data mentioned in the article.
- Does the information have an educational purpose? If the website is promotional in nature, there is a good chance that the information may be biased. Be on the lookout for charlatans selling products and cures with unfounded health benefits and potentially dangerous side effects.
- Are there regular updates and postings? Reliable websites should be regularly updated to reflect the most current nutrition information and advice available. Do keep in mind, though, that being current doesn't necessarily mean it's accurate.
Our focus at the EduMetrics Institute centers on the different ways we can improve our lives--in many different manners, especially through increased learning, better communication, and nutrition. Much of our research centers on helping people of all ages to become more effective learners and increase their intelligence. Please explore our site to learn more about how you and your family can live healthier, more successful lives. We'll gladly answer any questions you might have.
|
|
|
