Whether you see or hear claims on your social media feed, in the news or from a podcast, it’s worth understanding how to decide what news to trust. Especially when it comes to what you eat.
Red Flags to Watch For Food Facts
What Does The Food News Ask:
- Promise to be a quick fix?
- Sound too good to be true?
- Warn of danger from a single product or regimen?
- List “good” and “bad” foods?
You’re right to be skeptical. But what if claims are more subtle? Dietitians have rigorously studied food science, human nutrition and metabolism. They have the expertise to interpret new discoveries in nutrition.
A Good Rule of Thumb for Fact-Check Health Claims
Here’s an approach to test claims about nutrition. Ask the following questions when you hear food news that makes you pause:
1. Where is the claim coming from?
Do you trust the source? Does that source have a vested interest in making people believe the claim? Some YouTube and social media influencers are reliable, but most are questionable. Verify the accuracy of information you see on these platforms. And be wary of people who claim to be experts but don’t have a degree in the subject.
If you’re researching claims online, look closely at where search results come from. It’s common for search engines to put sponsored or business-generated content on the first page of results. You might need to look deeper in the search results to find content from unbiased sites.
2. Who benefits by promoting the claim?
Is this a testimonial by a celebrity or a satisfied customer? They might be paid to make this claim. And self-proclaimed “experts” might use claims to sell a program, supplements, etc. Even if there is some truth to the claim, you’ll want to confirm it with neutral sources that don’t have anything to gain from it. Consider nonprofit organizations like the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or the Pew Research. Check news sites such as the Associated Press generally known for objective reporting. Or compare coverage from more than one news outlet, recognizing that each may offer differing viewpoints or interpretations.
3. What’s the proof behind the claim?
Go beyond the headlines. News media can “cherry pick” information to create an attention-getting story. This is especially true if the news is about a research study that “seems” to contradict a larger body of evidence. Usually, study results are more nuanced and less sensational. If possible, find the original study to answer questions like:
- How big was the study? The larger the population studied, the more reliable the results.
- What was the study design? Look for studies that guard against bias (e.g., a double-blinded, randomized trial). Read more about types of studies.
- Was the study performed in humans or animals? Animal research doesn’t always translate to something meaningful for people.
- Are there experts in the field who have commented on the study’s usefulness?
- Have others been able to repeat the results of the study? It’s more trustworthy if more than one researcher comes up with the same or similar results.
Question like these can help you determine how much stock to put into a claim. Be a Good Asker?
Testing Claims for Yourself
Keep in mind that food news is often broad concept and it requires a lot of research to prove a single argument to be true or false. If you’re among the millions who have food allergies or intolerances, you can automatically filter out tips that won’t work for you based on your personal experience. It’s good to temper your expectations about what your nutrition can or cannot do for you. “Food can certainly help improve our health, but in many cases food cannot and should not take the place of medicine such as in cancer treatment, Curing Covid-19 e.t.c.
You can ask this questions for food related claim, you might ask or get informed:
- Ask your doctor. This is especially important if you take medications for one or more health condition. Some foods counteract drugs or make them less effective.
- Talk to a registered dietitian.
- Look for articles, books or reviews written by dietitians.
- Check for information from organizations geared toward food science such as:
- Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
- National Institutes of Health
- Food & Drug Administration
- Health Claims
Conclusion
In our information-rich world, nutrition claims bombard us daily through social media, news outlets, and well-meaning friends. While this constant stream of food-related advice can feel overwhelming, you now have the tools to separate science from fiction. Remember that good nutrition science rarely offers quick fixes or dramatic revelations. Instead, it builds gradually through careful research, peer review, replication and constructive arguments. The most trustworthy nutrition guidance tends to be moderate, nuanced, and backed by multiple studies rather than a single headline-grabbing result.
By asking critical questions and having a logical reasoning about sources, motivations, and evidence quality, you can make informed decisions about what nutritional information deserves your attention and what deserves your skepticism and doubt. Your health is too important to base on viral trends or unverified claims. When in doubt, consult the experts: registered dietitians and healthcare providers who can help you navigate nutrition science in the context of your individual health needs. Because while the internet offers endless opinions, claims, cures, facts and information about what you should eat, your body deserves advice grounded by real science and not false claims.
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