Here are 5 tips to work out whether a new nutrition product or message is as good as it claims to be:
- Does the person or product promise a quick fix or miracle cure? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Making changes to your health require a commitment to making better food choices and exercising regularly, not miracle pills, fad diets or products.
- Is someone trying to sell you products such as special diet foods, meal replacements, supplements or books? If so, the product is likely lining somebody’s pockets at your expense. These products do not replace lifestyle changes that you can maintain.
- Is the product information based on personal stories? While it may be nice to hear stories about celebrities and other people in the media, it is not proof that a product works. Nutrition information should be based on scientific research and properly designed studies which are documented in professional journals.
- Are the nutrition claims based on a single study or a few research studies? Were the studies based on humans? A strong study design and a number of studies drawing the same conclusions provide much stronger evidence that something is true.
- What qualifications do they hold? You would not ask a celebrity or non qualified engineer to build a bridge, but the expertise of a qualified and experienced engineer. The same thinking should apply when seeking nutition advice. Look for an accredited practising dietitian (APD) for reliable, up to date nutrition advice.