In today’s world, a far cry from the early ’90s, everything can usually be answered by asking google in less than a second. Fast forward to 2020 and the answers to your questions are also paraded in the form of Instagram quotations and pictures. Seeing is believing, they say? Well, social media has taken this literally with influencers portraying the results you so desire. Detox, abs, biceps the aesthetics of these individuals is fast challenging the world’s definition of “reality”. When we really think of it, how are we sure these results are based on the diet they created and available at their bio?

It then comes to no surprise that a recent report found that many people (particularly young adults) are trusting online sources of information regarding health and nutrition more and more. Well, seeing is believing… However, by relying on information from fitness apps, bloggers or TV personalities, a lot of people are left feeling confused by the information available on what they should/shouldn’t do when it comes to their food!

In this article, we’ll go through a few reasons why using non-credible nutrition services can be dangerous and how you can determine whether the information is credible or not. We will help you distinguish between fact and fiction.

Why using non-credible nutrition services can be dangerous.

It may come to a surprise to many, but did you know that the term “nutritionist” is actually not regulated? This means that anyone can call themselves a nutritionist - without any formal education and just watching YouTube videos! Unfortunately, this feeds into misinformation and leaves people taking nutrition advice from someone who is not credentialed to provide it, possibly leading to some dangerous health outcomes!

On the other hand, regulated medical professions, such as Registered Dietitians (RDs) can provide nutrition information by law. They are licenced to provide safe, reliable information that is entirely based on the best available scientific evidence. RD’s usually have bachelor’s degrees, 100’s of hours of supervised practice and have to pass a national exam to provide you with nutrition advice. Do you think your favourite Instagram health influencer has studied to get this certification?

Without having extensive training, a non-credible nutrition service may not fully understand the impact that food and intake can have on your health - particularly if you have a health condition (like diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) or are taking any medications. This could lead to inappropriate advice which can do more harm to your health as certain foods can produce side effects.

Besides, credible nutrition sources, like RDs, understand how to integrate your other needs, including socioeconomic status, food skills and your support system to come up with a nutrition care plan that is right for you and your lifestyle. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a situation where you’re trying to implement nutrition advice that doesn’t align with your lifestyle or your preferences, leaving you more likely to ditch the plan before it can have a positive impact!

By consulting with someone who does not have the Registered Dietitian (or RD) designation, you, unfortunately, can’t guarantee that they have had this level of training. It can be particularly dangerous if someone is providing you with guidance or information for a nutrition-related condition, like diabetes, heart or kidney disease if they have minimal background knowledge on the condition.

How can you spot non-credible information or professionals?

Unfortunately, because nutrition is in the public domain, there are a lot of people out there providing information without having any formal training. However, there are a few tell-tale signs of information that may be false or misleading.

1. Is someone or something promising a “quick fix” to a specific health condition or weight loss? If so, chances are, it’s not true. Changes to your health and wellness require long-term effort and commitment, so a “quick fix” is usually neither feasible nor maintainable.
2. Where is the information coming from? Is someone using academic references, or are they just pulling the information out of thin air? High-quality scientific studies should be used to generate nutrition recommendations. If someone is basing their advice on success with a handful of people, or they are using one single study for information, then chances are it shouldn’t be trusted.
3. What are the person’s credentials? Do they have any? If so, have they attended a legitimate academic program and gained practical, hands-on experience which gives them the expertise to provide their recommendations? Just like you wouldn’t trust a doctor without them having gone to medical school, don’t believe a “nutrition professional” who hasn’t had any formal training.

In conclusion, it is crucial to consider these issues when deciding who you are getting nutritional advice from. While the prices of some of the service may seem very attractive, it may prove to be more costly to your health in the long run. While seeing is believing more often than not, it hides the process leading to the results...