(Family Features) Do you often feel confused by the multitude of sensational nutrition studies in the media? When it comes to feeding your family, being able to break down the scientific research process to make informed nutrition choices is essential.
Conflicting informationIts only natural to wonder about nutrition studies mentioned in headlines. One moment a study recommends eating fish or butter and not long after that, another study contradicts the very thing we just added to our grocery cart.As consumers hungry for good health, its easy to get caught up in and sometimes discouraged by studies that promise the newest improve-your-health food, said Carolyn ONeil, a registered dietitian for Best Food Facts. Who among us doesnt want to feel and look better as a result of eating? With headlines promising miracle results, and then those promises dont work out, its easy to get discouraged.Understanding the processRather that doubting yourself, ONeil advises to better understand the research process behind the headlines. The next time you read one that touts the next food trend, youll be able to decipher whether its a good option for your family.Just because you read it in the paper doesnt mean you should change your eating habits overnight, because thats not the way we in science typically operate, explained Dr. Michael Doyle, director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia.Steps for quality researchThese are the three main steps for conducting thorough research. Along with being peer reviewed and published, research that fits within these categories is recognized as the gold standard.Leave a Reply
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