Why Does Nutrition Advice Contradict Itself?

One day coconut oil is a cure-all, the next it will kill you. Coffee is good! No, it’s bad. Carbs are evil and then they are a necessity. Why is there so much contradiction when it comes to nutrition advice? It often results in confusion and mistrust, so I thought I would address why these contradictions occur and what you can do to make sure you are getting the most accurate information possible.

The Media

Most people obtain their nutrition information from a media source. When it comes to getting views and clicks, the more sensational the headline, the better. The media is prone to use hyperbole when reporting on scientific studies. For example, when a study found that butter had a neutral effect on cardiovascular disease risk when compared to other foods, the TIME magazine headline read, “Butter is Back!”

When the media overstates results of studies, this lends to the confusion that consumers experience. One day butter will kill you, and the next day it will save you. When you read the actual studies behind the headlines, the authors are much more reserved in their analyses.

The Nature of Evidence-Based Advice

Often the media will take one small study and run the result as if it is absolute fact. However, the way that good evidence-based advice is formed takes time and a multitude of studies. In this way, a good case can be built for giving a nutrition recommendation.

The types of studies also matter. There is a “hierarchy of scientific evidence” that classifies which study designs are strongest. For example, a randomized clinical trial holds much more weight than a case study. Unfortunately, study design is not always considered.

Finally, recognize that nutritional science is constantly evolving. Evidence builds upon itself and nutrition advice sometimes needs to be clarified, modified or completely changed based on the progression of evidence.

When taking nutrition advice, whether it be from a professional or a media outlet, be sure that it is built on sound scientific evidence. Confirm that supporting references point to peer-reviewed literature. Ask critical questions about supporting studies, including their type and reproducibility.

Bias

Bias exists in most all situations. To arrive at good nutrition advice, all of us must do our best to eliminate as much bias as possible. For example, good scientific studies try their best to eliminate bias on the part of the researchers. Researchers are human, after all, and can be biased toward a particular result or perhaps influenced by a funding source.

In addition, most of us have some level of “confirmation bias.” This means that we tend to favor evidence that upholds our pre-existing beliefs and ignore evidence that contradicts them. When we become aware of this quality of human nature, we can approach life with a more open mind. Be aware that your own bias affects your ability to accept and process nutrition advice as well. This goes for RDNs, too — we also can get entrenched in some rigid views of food, weight and health.

Source

It can be difficult to discern which news sources to trust. Almost anyone can label themselves a nutrition expert and share advice. It’s pretty easy for anyone to start a blog, Facebook page or Twitter account and start handing out advice.

Be wary if the source of the information also is trying to sell you something, even if they are a professional. For example, one well known TV doctor dishes out advice that is credible on one segment and out of left field on the next. Even though he is an MD, he is in entertainment and the producers of his show are looking for content that will sell.

Seek out nutrition information from sources that strive to be unbiased and based on scientific evidence. One example is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Academic institutions usually are reliable sources as well.

Conclusion

4 Tips to Beat the Post FNCE Blues

By now, you’ve probably come off the FNCE adrenaline rush, having been surrounded by motivating peers in the nutrition field, and are now eating your post-FNCE blues away with the free samples you received. However, now is the time to put your new skills and connections to work!

FNCE is the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo that occurs annually across the country bringing dietetic and nutrition professionals together around the world. This is a time to be surrounded by the coolest people (no bias here) and greatly expand your network by interacting in various capacities at the expo, sessions or events. FNCE allows attendees to gain knowledge and skills that will improve interventions, patient participation and results, as well as build upon existing knowledge with emerging research and innovative tips and tricks of the trade.

Following FNCE be sure to:

Start Sending Those E-mails!

Send e-mails and follow up with those you met. Fostering relationships is key to having a successful career. Thank the people you interacted with for sharing their advice, tips and research with you.

Put the New Information into Play

Use the newly acquired skills and information gained by modifying interventions, adjusting research questions or starting new projects after being inspired by the experts you met.

Remember: Follow Your Passions

Say yes to things that excite you, take hold of opportunities that come your way and be patient!

Take Care of YOU

Being involved in multiple projects and various sectors within the nutrition field is great, but to optimally perform we need to get adequate sleep, fuel ourselves properly and maintain our social health. Although most RDNs or future RDNs are Type A and want everything to be perfect, the most important thing you can do for yourself is to take care of you.

And now you can look forward to entering the next 100 years of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics with your robust network and newly acquired skills!

See you next year at FNCE in the nation’s capital where after the conference we will storm the Hill to advocate for the profession.

How to Throw a Party for All Dietary Preferences

My gluten-free, dairy-free aunt and dairy-free cousin recently threw me the most spectacular baby shower. They thought of every detail — including how to please the more than 30 guests with various dietary preferences.

First, they had a “mom-osa” bar, which I appreciated greatly since alcohol is a thing of the past for me right now. I enjoyed sipping my sparking water with a splash of pineapple juice and fresh berries. Champagne was available for those who wanted to imbibe.

They also had a buffet of Greek food including hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki sauce, pita bread, fresh cut vegetables, tabbouleh and stuffed grape leaves. It was the perfect light meal for a shower and the buffet-style service allowed people to pick and choose the foods that were appropriate for them.

My aunt made two desserts. A scrumptious zucchini spice layered cake with traditional buttercream frosting and a platter of gluten-free white champagne cupcakes, which meant everyone could enjoy a celebratory treat.

If hosting a party — and this is the time of year when many of us do — you are likely to have guests with dietary restrictions or food allergies, and the last thing you want is for them to be left out of the food festivities. At the same time, trying to please everyone can be exhausting.

Follow these four tips to help you throw a party for all your guests, no matter their dietary preferences:

Get the Details

RSVPs aren’t just for confirming attendance. They also are important to gather insight on any special dietary needs. Whether guests call, text or email their response to your invitation, be sure to have them include any food allergies or preferences so you can plan accordingly.

Explore Your Options

Once you know the dietary needs you’ll need to consider when creating a menu for your party, it’s time to jump on the computer and find recipes that will work. Find collections of recipes online that are devoted to dietary preferences and also explore cookbooks designed for specific diets.

Allow Guests to Customize Their Plates

If you have guests with various dietary needs, it may be easier to offer a deconstructed menu and let guests build their own plates with foods they prefer. The key is to provide a variety of add-ins, condiments and toppings. For example, you could have a build-your-own yogurt parfait bar with various fresh berries and fruit, regular Greek yogurt, coconut yogurt, nuts, gluten-free and regular granola, honey and cinnamon. A salad bar or taco bar also are easy meal options that give guests options.

Offer Two Variations of the Same Meal

You also can create two variations of one meal to please all your guests, such as a regular and a vegetarian chili. It may be more work for you, but your guests will appreciate the time and effort you put into making sure their needs were met. This also is a good option if the party calls for a specific or traditional meal.

Your pregnancy and baby guide

Am I pregnant? What should I be eating? Is it normal to be this tired? How can I help my partner during labour?
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Keeping well in pregnancy

everything you need to know about a healthy pregnancy diet and supplements in pregnancy
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Going dry for a month boosted my health

Joanna Munro describes herself as the typical mother who enjoys a well-earned glass of her favourite tipple at the end of a trying day.

As someone who drank no more than a couple of glasses of wine a day, Joanna, 45, was by no means a heavy drinker. But one day, she realised that "wine o'clock" had become more of a habit than a pleasure.

She gave up alcohol for a month for Dry January to prove to herself she was still in control but she tells how she soon started noticing unexpected health benefits.  

Pleasure or habit?

"Back in December, I was a typical example of the mother who reaches for her first glass of rosé while simultaneously burning dinner, tripping over the dog, emptying the washing machine and resolving conflicts between the kids. Then I realized that "wine o'clock" had become an automatic reflex that wasn’t so much a pleasure as a habit. 

"I didn’t find an answer to my question on the internet, but I did find Alcohol Concern’s website and a challenge called Dry January. I liked the idea – an opportunity to prove to myself that I had more self-control than a four-year-old who’d been left alone in a Cadbury’s warehouse. If I was hooked, I’d be clawing my way up the curtains in despair within days.

"So I signed up. Over the month, my resolve was considerably strengthened by Dry January’s Facebook page and the determination and solidarity of those taking part. The challenge worked a charm because people can encourage each other and be accountable to each other.

"The aim was simple on paper: give up alcohol for one month. As I’m an eternal optimist, I added an hour of exercise every day for good measure. I quickly worked out a circuit through my local village. When attempting abstinence for the first time in 12 years, sunshine and great countryside proved ideal to lift this trainee teetotaler’s spirits."

Health benefits

"The first week, I rode the virtuosity wave. I was a disdainful diva, even declining champagne on the beach to toast in the New Year. By the middle of the second week, however, the queen of self-control and restraint was glowering, Gollum-like, over her glass of Perrier and lime as hubby savoured his beer.

"After two weeks the cold turkey wore off, and the first benefits kicked in. I was in bed snoring shamelessly before 10 and was awake before the alarm at 6.15am. My skin was looking better. I had more energy, and was proud of myself for sticking at it.

"Although weight loss wasn’t a decisive factor for me, I lost 5lbs (2.3kg) in the first month and I have now lost nearly 10lbs and banished three inches (7.5cm) of muffin top from my waistline. Like many other people on Dry January’s page, my problem was the inexplicable desire to replace my evening dose of wine with snacks in front of the TV.

"Yet in the long run, less wine meant less nibbles. I realised how alcohol opened up my appetite and made me reach for those salty nibbles.

"Less nibbles meant less weight. Not exactly rocket science, but a winning equation nevertheless."