In a world that’s becoming increasingly more digitalized, it can be hard to know the truth about anything. That’s especially true when it comes to nutrition and healthy eating – there seem to be so many different pieces of information and opinion going around at any given time. In this article, you’ll learn how to tell which sources are credible, in an effort to better inform your own decision-making about what you eat.
Mainstream Media
You can’t trust what you read about healthy eating in the mainstream media. The media is full of conflicting information about what is and isn’t good for you, and it can be hard to sort through all the noise.
The noise is mostly a result of conflicting science…food science has not been settled. Any article or opinion piece not offering a balanced view without reference to credible sources is to be viewed with suspicion. A word of warning: Finding a credible source is difficult in itself.
If you factor in the interest of advertisers and shareholders, the mainstream media should be our last place to go for credible information about food.
Rather find individuals online with a clear history of healthy living and who are open to debate. There are credible social media personalities who can deliver trustworthy content. As in any published information, do your homework on social media personalities.
A suggested social media resource:
Private Food Companies
Private food companies are businesses that produce and sell food products. They can be small businesses, like a local bakery, or large corporations, like Nestle or General Mills.
Private food companies might provide inaccurate information about their products, and they don’t always have your best interests at heart. For example, a company might say that its products are healthy because they’re low in fat or calories when in reality those products are unhealthy and could cause weight gain.
First, remember that not all calories are created equal. Just because a food is low in calories doesn’t mean it’s automatically healthy. In fact, some low-calorie foods can actually be quite unhealthy. Always be careful of labeling advertising low calories.
Second, focus on getting nutrient-rich foods rather than just looking for foods that are low in fat or calories. These nutrient-rich foods will help keep your body functioning properly and provide you with the energy you need to live a healthy life. The nutrient-dense foods are normally found at the butchery or vegetable sections of your grocery store. If your food can last for more than three days outside the refrigerator, it’s probably not that healthy.
Third, always remember, there is a very good chance a food company has its first priority as profit, not your well-being. Always view health claims on food packaging and advertising with suspicion. If something is not making sense with the brand/product messaging, investigate further.
So how can you tell if a private food company is giving you accurate information? The best way is to do your own research. Read labels carefully, and look for credible sources of information about healthy eating. Don’t rely on private food companies to give you the whole story – get all the facts from multiple sources before making any decisions about your diet.
Interest Groups
When it comes to information about healthy eating, it’s important to be aware of the various interest groups that may be trying to influence what you read. These groups may have their own agendas, which may not necessarily align with what’s best for your health.
For example, the food industry obviously has a vested interest in promoting certain foods and ingredients, even if they’re not necessarily healthy. They may do this through sponsored blog posts, paid ads, or other means. So it’s important to be wary of anything you read that’s coming from a source with a potential conflict of interest.
Likewise, there are plenty of well-meaning individuals and organizations out there with their own ideas about what constitutes a healthy diet. While some of these may be based on solid science, others may be more dubious. So it’s important to do your own research and not blindly accept everything you read about healthy eating.
Government Food Guidelines Dubious
The government’s food guidelines are often based on industry lobbying and special interests, rather than sound science. This means that the recommendations may not be in your best interest, and you can’t always trust what you read about healthy eating.
Do your own research and make sure you’re getting accurate information from reliable sources. Don’t blindly trust the government’s guidelines – question them and make sure they make sense for you.
Conclusion
Eating healthy is important, but it can be hard to know what information to trust. There are a lot of conflicting opinions out there, and it can be tough to sort through all of the noise. The best way to figure out what works for you is to experiment and find what makes you feel your best. Ultimately, you are the only one who knows what is best for your body, so don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.
Be critical of any dietary advice or labeling. By being conscious of the fact that you can not always trust what you see or hear, you can make better decisions about the food you put into your body.
Here are some resources worth checking out.
