5 Tips to Evaluating Nutrition Information Online

There is so much junk information out there about nutrition.  If you want to be confused, just pick a topic and conduct an internet search.  You'll get a variety of opinions, answers, and "experts" who claim to know the secret scoop.  Unfortunately, the world wide web is a bit like the wild, wild west when it comes to information and there's no sheriff in town to protect the truth.  As a smart consumer (and I know you are), it's up to you to determine what's true and what's not.  Here are my top five tips for evaluating nutrition information online:

1. Know the source.  Reputable hospitals like Mayo Clinic and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta have great websites with general consumer information.  The American Academy Pediatrics's consumer site and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has some good information too.  Weight Watchers has good stuff (even though they're selling a service).  Jane, the girl who changed her eating and lost a hundred pounds is a great source for encouragement and personal testimony.  She can probably also share some great practical tips about weight loss, but she probably can't tell you how you should eat to manage your thyroid condition.  And even if you find someone who does have your same health issues, you're different people and nutrition needs for disease management are very personalized.
2. Be critical of "research".  Are you reading someone's opinion or a summary of actual, real research? Is it based in science - real science? Was it published in a peer reviewed journal?  The best research is done as double blind placebo controlled studies, but few nutrition studies are done this way because they're hard to do and expensive.  If it was a study, how many people were included?  Finally, who funded the study and are they trying to sell you something?  Yes to this question in my opinion automatically ensures bias.  Here's a good list of evaluative criteria to consider.
3. Beware of they're selling anything.  Sites that have a monetary motivation often include some sensational information regarding nutrition.  Their goal is NOT to make you healthy, their goal is to get you to buy their products, again and again.  Be suspicious of these sites, especially if they sell supplements (they're some of the worst offenders!).
4. Test the information.  As your doctor, your registered dietitian, or search the literature yourself to see if the claims are true - especially if they claim to have found a secret that someone is trying to hide from you.  GoogleScholar.com is my BFF.  I find tons of awesome information about nutrition by searching the scientific literature here!
5. Trust your gut.  If you don't feel right about something you read, trust your gut.  You shouldn't believe everything published on the internet - that's like believing everything every stranger you meet says to you.  If it sounds too good to be true and your intuition says "this doesn't seem right" - go with it and find your answers somewhere else.

If you're looking for help in a certain area of nutrition, I encourage you to find a registered dietitian nutritionist.  They can help you evaluate claims, find the best products and/or plan to meet your specific needs, and serve as a trusted guide through the maze of nutrition information out there.  Your health is worth the time and investment.  Be well!