We all know there’s a lot of nutrition information out there on the internet. While this can be super helpful and informative, it can also become very overwhelming, unless you know how to find credible nutrition information.
Fad diets and quick fixes can be an easy trap to fall into. Anyone can post their opinion and beliefs and make it sound great, but not all information is true.
In fact, some of the nutrition information out there can do more harm than good for your health.
This article will provide you with some key elements to look for when searching for the best and most reliable nutrition information to help you make the smartest decisions when it comes to your health.
So how do you pick out the credible and reliable nutrition information on the internet?
- What’s the source? Typically, websites ending in .edu, .gov, and .org will be more reliable and educational in nature. Most often these sites will be evidenced-based, presenting the most recent research. Another good question to ask yourself “is the site educational or promotional?” Educational sites are for the purpose of providing nutrition education, whereas promotional sites are for the sole purpose of selling a product. Just because a site or source sells a product, does not mean it is not credible. Be aware that there could be some bias with selling a product.
- Look for references. Reliable websites will have references to other articles supporting the claim and the site will be updated regularly with new scientific research. The author will have valid credentials such as RD or RDN, LD or LDN, Ph.D. or M.D. Unreliable sources may have one author claiming to be the expert or no valid credentials and present no references or research articles to support their claims.
- Does it sound too good be true or is the article producing igniting extreme emotions? If the claims sound too extreme such as one food wonder cures or eliminating entire food groups to cure a cough, this should set off your internal alarm. When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
- Check to see if the website or article has a sponsor. Sponsored blog post, articles and websites are very common these days and the content shared in a sponsored post or article can be misleading. The truth is, sponsored posts and articles, are popping up everywhere as companies have found this to be a very effective way to sell and promote their product. Understand if a post is sponsored it is likely going to be a biased. The bottom line is, be cautious and check the facts before you buy into everything you read or hear…especially when it comes to the internet!
Questions about what you are reading online? Print out this checklist and keep on hand next time you read a nutrition article that sounds too good to be true!
- Evaluate the website, is the website a person or an organization?
- Does the website appear biased?
- Is it a sponsored post? Is the site selling something?
- Are scare tactics or unrealistic claims being used to catch your attention?
- Is the source credible?
- Who is the author? Check credentials, education, and licensing.
- Is the site suggesting replacing food with supplements or eliminating whole food groups?
- When was the article written?Is the information backed by scientific research?
Dear Dr. Pell,
I read with great interest your article on nutrition fact check. At 75, I am truly confused with all this dietary advice and promises you had touched on by questionable sources. However, as you well know, the current carnivore and keto diets are being promoted by MD’s and based on these diets, most foods I believed to be healthy, are vilified buy these doctors. They are, among other foods, against bread, plant foods i.e. vegetables and so on. Yes, I read studies that fat consumption does promote weight loss , as the late Dr. Atkins had proven many years ago. A concept most licensed dieticians would disagree with. I would appreciate your take on this.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Alexander Hammer
Thanks for your comment Alexander. My guess is that there are just as many doctors that promote plant based diets as keto diets. Nutrition is not their area of expertise. Most people promote what works for them. Even as a registered dietitian many things are not black and white. It’s difficult to do good scientific studies on people. There are some short ones but people don’t want to be “lab rats” and have everything about their eating controlled to learn what happens. Nutrition is a science that changes. There’s a lot we do know–fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, low-fat and fat-free dairy and plant based fats seem the way to go.