Many articles give you the right information while others give you the facts with added fluff to persuade you to buy an item they are promoting. It’s important to know where you get your nutrition information from and make sure it’s up to date. In this article we are going to discuss tips to help you decipher what are the facts and what is fake news..
Experience
Accurate nutrition information should have experts, or reputable organizations who have experience on the particular topic. Journalist with a background in science usually present there research in a correct and understandable way for its readers. Internet sites should list the author and or reviewers of an article. This helps the reader get to know more about the author’s background and makes it clear to the reader what the author stance is on the information he or she is presenting.
Look for references
A reliable article will tell you where they got there information from. Printed information may include the journal name, year, and or author in the text and digital formats usually have links in the text or references listed at the bottom.
Check Out The Source
If you have heard of the publications, what is there goal providing this information? is it to inform and educate or to sell a product or diet plan etc.
Think About The Studies
A good article is going to explain what kind of study is being done. Studies that include larger number participants, longer time periods and control groups usually gives stronger results.
Who said it
Many articles about research studies should include quotes from the scientist. It should also be clear whether the person commenting was involved with the study or is an outside expert.
Bias
Bias can creep into our information sources by mistake. Someone who is trying to sell you something will have no problem giving you research that supports the product .The down side to this is that there may not be any studies or research to show that the studies they found doesn’t work. Filter what you hear or read through your knowledge of the source. Consider an online search of the author or the owner of the site to see if there has been any complaints made against them.
Funding sources
Funding can affect the content of a study, and how the information is presented. Knowing who is behind a website or magazine and what there agenda is can help you filter the information they choose to present. Good sources have an “about us” section where you can find who is funding the publication or individual. Be cautious of food manufactures or trade groups; they are a common source of funding for nutrition studies. Keep in mind not every funding industry should be ruled out. To fix this a writer or spokesperson should be able to identify the funding sources and cite other studies that support or disagree with the findings.
Personal bias
Sometimes we overlook information because it goes against our beliefs, habits or preferences. It important to keep an open mind when presented with new information. When following general health guidelines there is no diet plan or approach to eating that will be the same for everyone.
What to look for
Look for websites or organizations that are not afraid to mention study limitations, corroborating or contrary information from other reputable studies. Sometimes new information contradicts what has been the consistent direction in the evolution of science therefore it is important to regard it critically.
Consider Timelessness
Sources information over time can change so make sure that what you are reading is up to date.The publication should indicate when they were last reviewed and updated.
Quality
Poor spelling and grammar may indicate that the site is not credible. Good quality websites or publications will value presentation and provide you with information that is clear and professionally done. If it seems to good to be true than it may be too good to be true. Before making any changes based on something you read, run it by a healthcare professional.
So with these tips I hope you will no be better able to decipher fact from fiction. It’s really important to know who’s information is reliable because not every writer or journalist has your best interest at heart. So now you can be your own Inspector Gadget when it comes to health and nutrition articles.
Tufts University Health and Nutrition February 2019