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.


Very nice info and right to the point. I am not sure if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you folks have any thoughts on where to get some professional writers? Thank you 🙂
I like this site very much, Its a rattling nice spot to read and get info .
This design is incredible! You most certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
I cling on to listening to the news bulletin lecture about receiving boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i acquire some?
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for your provided information.
I’d need to test with you here. Which isn’t one thing I often do! I take pleasure in reading a submit that may make folks think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other users like its helped me. Good job.
This internet site is my inspiration , real superb style and perfect content material.
Some truly nice and useful information on this site, too I believe the layout holds excellent features.
Good V I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task..
It?¦s actually a nice and helpful piece of info. I?¦m satisfied that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a appropriate deal. I have been tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast offered vibrant transparent idea
he blog was how do i say it… relevant, finally something that helped me. Thanks
I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
This design is wicked! You most certainly know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my blog so i came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site 🙂
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Your home is valueble for me. Thanks!…
I’d must examine with you here. Which is not one thing I normally do! I get pleasure from studying a publish that can make folks think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!
Keep working ,remarkable job!
Awsome info and right to the point. I am not sure if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you guys have any thoughts on where to employ some professional writers? Thanks in advance 🙂
Yay google is my king aided me to find this outstanding website ! .
I visited a lot of website but I conceive this one contains something special in it in it
Thank you for sharing with us, I think this website truly stands out : D.
naturally like your web site however you need to test the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very troublesome to tell the truth however I will certainly come back again.
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your webpage? My blog is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my users would really benefit from some of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this alright with you. Thanks a lot!
I’ve recently started a website, the info you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your design. Many thanks
Great write-up, I’m regular visitor of one’s web site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
Great write-up, I’m normal visitor of one’s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
F*ckin’ remarkable things here. I’m very satisfied to see your post. Thank you a lot and i’m having a look ahead to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
You are my intake, I possess few web logs and rarely run out from to brand : (.
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
It’s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
I enjoy the efforts you have put in this, thank you for all the great articles.
I have read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to create such a excellent informative website.
I was suggested this website by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty. You’re wonderful! Thanks!
I’ve been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thank you, I¦ll try and check back more often. How frequently you update your website?
Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
I as well believe thence, perfectly composed post! .
Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is fantastic, as well as the content!
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I to find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
Fantastic site. A lot of helpful info here. I am sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you for your effort!
Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s web site, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you actually know what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Please also visit my web site =). We could have a link exchange agreement between us!
Normally I do not read article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice post.
I’ve learn several just right stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much effort you put to create one of these wonderful informative website.
Do you have a spam problem on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice practices and we are looking to exchange solutions with other folks, please shoot me an e-mail if interested.
There’s noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you made certain good factors in options also.
Hello. impressive job. I did not imagine this. This is a great story. Thanks!
Appreciate it for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting info .
Hello my friend! I wish to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include approximately all important infos. I would like to see more posts like this.
Magnificent web site. Plenty of useful info here. I am sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks to your sweat!
It’s the best time to make a few plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve learn this publish and if I could I wish to counsel you some interesting things or advice. Maybe you could write next articles regarding this article. I want to learn more issues about it!
Spot on with this write-up, I really assume this website needs rather more consideration. I’ll in all probability be once more to learn rather more, thanks for that info.
I conceive this web site has got some really wonderful info for everyone :D. “Heat cannot be separated from fire, or beauty from The Eternal.” by Alighieri Dante.
Enjoyed reading this, very good stuff, thankyou. “Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.” by Euripides.
Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!
This is a topic close to my heart cheers, where are your contact details though?
Hello my friend! I wish to say that this article is amazing, great written and come with approximately all vital infos. I would like to see extra posts like this.
Hi my friend! I wish to say that this post is amazing, nice written and include almost all important infos. I would like to look more posts like this .
The following time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I imply, I do know it was my option to read, but I really thought youd have one thing fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you would fix in the event you werent too busy searching for attention.
I am glad that I found this web site, precisely the right information that I was searching for! .
Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
What i don’t understood is if truth be told how you’re not actually much more well-favored than you might be now. You’re very intelligent. You realize thus considerably in terms of this matter, made me individually consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t involved except it is one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. Always deal with it up!
hello!,I like your writing very much! share we communicate more about your article on AOL? I need an expert on this area to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Looking forward to see you.
I think you have mentioned some very interesting points, regards for the post.
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you really know what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my site =). We could have a link exchange arrangement between us!
Hey there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!
Thank you for all your valuable efforts on this web site. Betty really loves carrying out investigation and it is simple to grasp why. My spouse and i know all of the compelling means you provide worthwhile guidelines via the website and as well invigorate participation from people on this area and my child is actually becoming educated a lot. Enjoy the remaining portion of the new year. You are conducting a fabulous job.
Heya just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.
Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
I just could not depart your web site before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard information a person provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back often in order to check up on new posts
Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clarity for your put up is simply great and that i could assume you’re a professional in this subject. Fine with your permission let me to snatch your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thank you one million and please continue the gratifying work.
Wow! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a entirely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Great choice of colors!
excellent post.Never knew this, thanks for letting me know.
I believe this site has got some really superb info for everyone. “A man’s dreams are an index to his greatness.” by Zadok Rabinwitz.
Hi! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your website is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you’ve on this blog. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched all over the place and simply could not come across. What an ideal site.
I enjoy the efforts you have put in this, appreciate it for all the great articles.