Just the Facts...

Happy National Buttermilk Biscuit Day!  Who would of known?  Well actually no one really knows this fact.. unless you listen to NPR like I do.  Come on.. there is something to say about NPR.. and the calmness of their voices as they discuss the news... And not to mention the MUSIC!!.. check this clip out.. it is hilarious of the various songs we are allll so accustomed to on NPR...

 On a given day I usually allow myself to take a short 5-7 minute break during my work day to peruse twitter or facebook on my phone to check for the latest diet and health news.  Believe it or not.. but half my facebook timeline is dedicated mostly to health and food related news.  Set aside from celebrity gossip...I absolutely love to read and watch the news.  A select few of you would probably disagree with me.. but I enjoy learning, and sharing with others.   I am that girl woman at work who you might hear over by the water cooler telling everyone " Did you know that about 75 acres of pizza are eaten in in the U.S. Everyday?"   You can compare me to this kid... yes..

The kid from Jerry Maguire

But the only quirk (is that even a word?) that I have with diet and nutrition information is where the facts or articles came from?  Who wrote the article.. or who funded the research.  Have you ever noticed that when a company presents their own research they funded.. the results and outcome usually prove in their favor.  But how many corporations are going to publish research showing that their products have potential for humans to turn into zombies.. or by consuming their products for 10 weeks straight.. they may gain in excess of 100+ pounds.   So always keep in mind who funded the research for the study.. and how many actual participants took part in the study or research as well.   After reading piles of research in grad school on obesity... I am now trained to identify good research from bad.   I also avoid certain health and exercise websites, and/or magazines because I know the writers really have no idea what they are talking about.  I can also tell you.. that when you are looking for a book on diet and nutrition always look to see if a Registered Dietitian has contributed to the book.  We didn't go through 4 years of chemistry, and learn every stage of protein synthesis to not be able to give good information to our clients.  Also remember ANYONE can write a book.. including yourself. 

Also be cautious of self diagnosing your illness or symptoms.  When I was in graduate school I decided to look up some symptoms I was having before I went to my MD appointment.  I proceeded to show my doctor and explain to him that I was dead on with my diagnosis.  He then looked me dead in the eye.. and asked me "Did you grow up in a jungle in West Africa? because this illness is not common in the mid-west.. a matter a fact only small children get it".   I was sooooo embarrassed and humiliated.. so I took my over achieving graduate school wanna-be attitude and went home.. and decided to NEVER diagnose myself again.  I now keep my mouth shut.. and explain the symptoms.. but occasionally ask the MD in my "RD lingo"... can we run a CBC and U&A to rule out a ......

According to a survey by the ADA (American Dietetic Association) now known as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (which I have been a member of since 1995)

• 61 percent of adults say they have trouble, at least sometimes, finding accurate food and nutrition information on the Internet.
• 78 percent are interested in finding new, reliable sources of online information.
• Fewer than 1 percent of respondents answered “no” to the question “Do you feel that the food/nutrition information you get on the Internet is reliable and trustworthy?”

Here are some great steps by Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., Food and Nutrition Specialist

1)Who is the author?
2)What are his or her credentials?  (p.s.  my credentials are MS, RD, in case you were wondering)
3)Is a credible sponsoring institution identified?
4)What is the purpose of the information?
5)Is the site promoting or selling a particular product?
6)Is the information based on scientific research or opinion?
7)Is a date listed? How current is the information?
8)Are there links to other sources of information? (This sometimes provides a clue to reliability, but not always. Anyone can link to another organization’s Web site.)
9)Are the facts documented with sound scientific references? Or, is the information solely based on personal testimonials?
10)Is there an editorial board that oversees the content? What is the tone of the writing.. and is the grammar up to par?  (Yikes... as I am mortified to make a grammatical error)...
So here ya have it folks...I will now get off my soapbox :)