Providing people with dietary education is one of the best tools for aiding them make informed nutritional choices and achieve optimal health outcomes.
However, in the age of the internet we are exposed to an abundance of non-evidence based and promotionally-driven information which can negatively influence people’s choices and outcomes when it comes to health.
As a registered dietitian and exercise professional I am concerned about the amount of scientifically baseless health and fitness messages we are exposed to on a daily basis.
It seems that every second person considers themselves a health and fitness expert regardless of their qualification, or lack thereof.
We are being bombarded with conflicting messages from social media, friends and family and product manufacturers who promise us an effortless journey to achieving physical health.
Here are 10 points of advice that will hopefully put a few things in perspective:
1. There is no miracle tablet being that will ‘melt’ fat away so stop wasting your time and money searching for it.**
2. Taking garcinia cambogia will not suddenly result in oversized boobs.**
3. Unfortunately it will take you just as long to run off the calories from your gluten free cookie as it will to run of your good old Tim Tam.
4. The scientific term for organic means to contain carbon however I do not recommend fuelling your body with coal – fresh fruit and veg will serve you perfectly well.
5. Just because something is ‘natural’ does not mean it is good for you. Some forms of cancer occur naturally and they can kill you.
6. We shouldn’t rely on a two-week, six-week, 90 day challenges to be our saving grace for summer. Your health and fitness practices shouldn’t come and go with the seasons.
7. Will power is like a muscle the more you use it the stronger it gets. Just don’t overdo it.
8. Fat, whether it is in the form of extra virgin olive oil or apple pie with double cream, will add to your waist line. Moderation is the key.
9. Eat to live not live to eat. There is so much more to life then following the Paleo diet.
10. You require no qualification to start a fitness blog or give out inaccurate advice so do NOT believe everything you read.
Remember these the next time you think you’ve come across a quick fix for good health.
Janey Fowler is an accredited practising dietitian, exercise professional and full time mother from Victor Harbor, South Australia. She studied a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics at Flinders University and now works in private practise specialising in weight and diabetes management.
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