facts not fads

  • RD2Be Fun

    The Craziest Nutrition Advice Found on Reddit

    Reddit often goes one step further from the typical Google degree in nutrition. But is this advice fact or myth? Jenny Westerkamp, RD, CSSD, breaks it down.

    Nothing like the Internet for reliable nutrition information 😉 I scoured Reddit for some uh, exciting nutrition advice and picked some of the most “unique.” Read on to find out the truth on some of these crazy myths!

    1. Reddit: “Eating protein the 1st thing in the morning before anything else will help you absorb it more and reset leptin levels.”

    Truth: Eating protein in the morning is a great way to stay packed, but it won’t help you “absorb” it better if you eat it first thing in the morning. However, eating a protein of high biological value (aka “complete protein”) will help you get all of the amino acids your body doesn’t produce and pack a bigger punch than a protein source of low B.V. As for leptin, this essential hormone is mainly regulated by fatty tissue. It is not influenced by immediate protein consumption in the AM (or any time of day, for that matter).

    2. Reddit: “Skipping breakfast then eating high-carb foods for lunch leads to diabetes because the glucose shocks your system.”

    Truth: Science has shown many benefits to eating breakfast, but skipping it will not result in diabetes. Diabetes, assuming they are talking about type 2, is a multifactorial disease, and skipping breakfast now and again and eating carbs won’t cause it. However, eating breakfast full of healthy carbs, such as fiber, will keep you full and focused throughout the day.

    3. Reddit: “Lemon-cucumber-infused water will detox you.”

    Truth: Your liver and kidneys are pros at the whole detoxing business. Lemon and cucumbers might taste good, but they won’t have any “detox” effect.

    4. Reddit: “Your bones can regulate your appetite.”

    Truth: Maybe they’re thinking of hydroxyapatite? That’s the mineral that makes up your teeth and bones. However, your bones have nothing to do with your appetite!

    5. Reddit: “You can remove fat from ground beef by rinsing it with water.”

    Truth: Rinsing your meat with water won’t reduce the fat content, but you might spread nasty germs. Try buying leaner ground beef (at least 88% lean) or wait until it cooks and pour the grease off instead.

    What’s the craziest nutrition advice you’ve ever heard? Sound off!

    P.S. Do you want the FREE DI Toolkit used by thousands of DI applicants? YES PLEASE

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  • Student Life

    How to Deal with Google Degrees

    • Comments Off on How to Deal with Google Degrees
    • by

    As a Registered Dietitian, you may encounter people who have gotten their knowledge from Google. Here are our keys to show your expertise!

    The nutrition world is filled with self-proclaimed experts who get most of their information off of the frequently used and often unreliable World Wide Web. As all of us know, the most reliable source of dietary advice is from a Registered Dietitian, who completes a rigorous academic program and over 1000 hours of supervised practice before being able to call themselves experts in the field. Although it’s great that these so-called Google Degrees are so interested in nutrition, we all know that there is a lot of misinformation on the internet, especially about food. So what do you do when you find yourself talking to someone who quotes unreliable or false information? Whether this happens on Facebook or in real life, here’s how to deal.

    1. Disagree politely

    There’s nothing wrong with disagreeing, as long as you do it politely. Make sure you avoid negative language, name-calling, or Facebook fighting, but don’t be afraid to stand up for your field.

    2. Have research ready

    There’s nothing like a little bit (or a lot) of evidence-based research to support your argument against a food fallacy. Staying on top of current research will keep you updated on the latest in the field. A quick tip: find up-to-date research in nutrition using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Library. There’s nothing like facts to squash a fad.

    3. Be confident

    You are on your way to becoming a nutrition expert, so don’t be afraid to show it off. Be confident in your knowledge because you worked hard for it. Besides, you’re only doing them a favor!

    What’s the craziest thing about nutrition you’ve ever heard someone say? Sound off in the comments!

    P.S. – Mine was when someone tried to convince me that she didn’t eat carbs because her body had a carbohydrate intolerance and stored all carbs as fat. It looks like those micronutrient metabolism classes paid off 😉

    P.P.S. ARE YOU IN YET? With Get Matched Coaching, you’ll gain the confidence and clarity you need to get a dietetic internship! 

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