Dietitans Canada
Have you ever heard or read nutrition
advice and thought, “wow that almost
sounds too good to be true?”
We are all hungry for information
about nutrition and health, but not all
advice we see online or in media is
evidence-based. In fact, much of it isn’t;
many recommendations aren’t based on the
best available science or may only tell you
part of the story.
To help you sort through the noise and
find the best available nutrition
information, here are some tips to help you
spot misinformation:
Is the person or product promising a
quick fix like fast weight-loss or a
miracle cure?
If it sounds too good to be true, then it
likely is! Making changes to your health
means a commitment to eating well and
exercising regularly. Check out the ‘Your
Health’ section at www.dietitians.ca.
Are they trying to sell you products such
as special foods or supplements instead
of teaching you how to make better food
choices at home, at play, at work or while
eating out? Do they provide information
based on personal stories rather than on
facts?
Although it's nice to hear about a
success story from a celebrity, it's not proof
that something works or is true. Nutrition
advice should be based on the best available
scientific research. Dietitians are university
trained, regulated health professionals who
use tools such as PEN® to make sure they
are basing their advice on the best available
Sources of credible
information
Follow the links for information
you can count on
PEN®
EatRight Ontario
Dietitians of Canada: Your
Health
Blogs by members of
Dietitians of Canada
eaTipster
Healthy CanadiansHealth Canada
information.
Is their claim based on a single study or
a few research studies? Were the studies
done with animals or humans? Are you
similar to the humans that were studied
(age, gender etc.)?
The stronger the study design, and the
more studies available that draw the same
conclusions, the stronger the evidence that
something it true.
What are the person’s qualifications?
Think about it: You wouldn’t ask a
celebrity how to build a safe bridge, you’d
ask a professional engineer. You also
wouldn’t ask a celebrity to fill your cavity,
you’d ask a dentist. The same thinking
should apply for nutrition advice. Dig a little
deeper and ask for credentials. The title
dietitian is protected by law, just like a
nurse, dentist or pharmacist. Look for the
initials “RD or PDt” to identify a registered
dietitian.
What is evidence-based practice?
Dietitians are committed to
evidence-based practice. This means that
when they make a recommendation to you
or your family they are basing it on the best
available scientific evidence. Dietitians
develop evidence-based resources that
translate the science into practical
information you can use to manage your
health.
Why do health and nutrition
recommendations change?
Recommendations change over time as
we learn more about nutritional science and
as we change as a society. It’s important to
remember though that one new study or
theory is rarely enough to change our
advice. The basic advice has remained
unchanged: eat a variety of foods including
vegetables, fruits, dairy, legumes, nuts and
fish and exercise everyday.
Tell us on Facebook about your adventures with food this month,
or tweet us @thehubWE #foodmatters
October 2015 - The HUB 7