Junk Science

As we all know, there are people out there that will take a tiny bit of scientific information (that they may or may not acutally understand) and blow it out of proportion and into some fad diet, new supplement, crazy whatever - that happens to cost you 4 payments of $19.95. Its so important as consumers (everybody eats right?) in the food and nutrition world, to really understand how to sort through all of the information that is thrown at you. We see nutrition info and advice everyday, even though we may not be looking for it. Its on covers of gossip magazines, on the sidebars of AOL or Facebook, and even hidden in what may seem like reputable sources, are articles written by a "PhD" about this brand new juice drink...no one knows his PhD is in English, not Nutrition.

My point is this: be smart enough to be skeptical.

The ADA put out a great list of the "10 Red Flags of Junk Science" that can be found at www.eatright.org along with lots of other great (and reputable) nutrition information.

While registered dietitians are your best source of advice when it comes to food and nutrition, you can learn to cut through the clutter of conflicting nutrition health claims and find the facts. Watch for the “Ten Red Flags of Junk Science”:

1. Recommendations that promise a quick fix.
2. Dire warnings of danger from a single complex study.
3. Claims that sound too good to be true.
4. Simplistic conclusions drawn from a complex study.
5. Recommendations based on a single study.
6. Dramatic statements that are refuted by reputable scientific organizations.
7. Lists of “good” and “bad” foods.
8. Recommendations made to help sell a product.
9. Recommendations based on studies published without peer review.
10. Recommendations from studies that ignore differences among individuals or groups.

For more information about any food-related statement, product or service, contact a registered dietitian.
Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team

Happy Eating, and Reading!

Blessings,
Ashley