By Alyssa Havlovic, MS, RDN, ACSM EP-C, Extension Educator in Lancaster County
Nutrition is a topic that has gained popularity on the Internet and on social media outlets. The ability to search for and find information at our fingertips has empowered individuals to feel as though they possess the knowledge and expertise to provide advice on topics about food and nutrition. Unfortunately, this can often lead to inaccurate information shared by unqualified individuals. So how do you know if what you are reading online is evidence-based or if it’s just another myth, diet trend or misinformation? This article will provide you with the tools to make your own informed choices to support your health and well-being and improve your ability to separate fact from fiction when it comes to nutrition information.
SPOTTING MISINFORMATION
Misinformation refers to the sharing of inaccurate or incomplete information that can mislead an individual as a result of negligence, unconscious biases or an honest mistake. A growing presence of misinformation may come from a variety of sources including social media influencers or self-proclaimed “nutritionists,” personal blogs, forums or websites, misleading marketers and advertisers, celebrity endorsements or misleading media headlines.
CAUTION: RED FLAGS
When reading an article, blog or post online, here are a few RED FLAGS to watch out for:
• It has an advertising feel. The author says something like “do what I do, and you’ll look like me,” or they provide an affiliate link, which can lead to biases.
• Fear mongering. The author refers to something as “toxic” or “cancer-causing” with no scientific evidence to support the claim.
• They use absolutes. Using words such as “cure-all” or “all or nothing” or claims of “eliminating” a medical condition are quite extreme statements.
• No sources are cited. Always be skeptical of a claim until you can see the supporting research.
• No credentials or reviewers are listed. Check for a “reviewed by” section on the website or article.
• If it sounds too good to be true (it probably is…). Using words like “cure” and “overnight results” are big red flags.
GREEN MEANS GO! GREEN FLAGS
Now, let’s look into a few GREEN FLAGS or things to look for in an article, blog or post online:
• The sources are cited. Credible sites such as “.gov” or “.edu” or “.org” are often credible, research-based websites. However, some “.com” sites can be credible as well.
• Tone assessment. The author uses words like “may lead to” or “some studies have shown.”
• Check the author. Is the article written by someone with any of the following credentials: Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN), medical doctor (MD or DO) or MS, MPH or Ph.D. or reviewed by someone with one of these credentials?
• Citations are present. The information shared is supported by evidence that is linked within the site, post or article.
• Affiliation or potential for bias is noted. The author discloses any affiliations and potential conflicts of interest.
SOURCES FOR FACT-CHECKING
There are several websites available that present scientific, evidence-based nutrition information. If you find yourself questioning if an article you read is accurate or not, consider visiting one of the following websites to fact-check the claims you read, such as:
• Nutrition.gov
• Healthline.com
• MayoClinic.org
• EatRight.org
• CDC.gov/nutrition
• ConsumerReports.org
• ods.od.nih.gov" (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements)
TAKEAWAY MESSAGE
Always be skeptical of the potential for misinformation. When forming your own opinions — consider both red flags and green flags. Try your best to stick to reliable and evidence-based sites. Interpret accurate, unbiased information with applicable guidelines and recommendations. Read past the headline, as it often can be misleading on its own. And always do extra research, if you can!
Source: Diekman C, Ryan CD, Oliver TL. Misinformation and Disinformation in Food Science and Nutrition: Impact on Practice. J Nutr. 2023 Jan;153(1):3-9. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2022.10.001. Epub 2022 Dec 22. PMID: 36913465. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36913465/