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Knowing what to believe when it comes to food and nutrition

With so much conflicting nutrition advice around it can be difficult to know who and what to believe. The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) provides the following guidelines to help you separate fact from fiction.

Look for food and nutrition information or advice that:

Is backed by science
Fits with generally accepted nutrition and health guidelines
Comes from a professional with recognised nutrition qualifications
Can be adapted to individual lifestyles while meeting individual nutritional needs
Is designed to be followed for the long-term

Steer away from food and nutrition information or advice that:

Makes unrealistic claims or promises
Promotes unbalanced and unhealthy eating advice such as avoiding nutritious foods or entire food groups
Is difficult to follow for the long term
Is expensive to follow

DAA provides practical advice that people can understand and rely on. We work with many journalists and media outlets to do just that.

Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) have university qualifications in nutrition and dietetics and are members of the DAA, committed to practising in accordance with the DAA Code of Professional Conduct and DAA code of Ethics. They have the knowledge and expertise to turn scientific nutrition research into practical dietary advice, helping people sort through the maze of available nutrition information.

TITLE	SUMMARY	VIEW FULL ARTICLE
Coconut water	Coconut water has been called the new 'wonder health drink' because of its 'phenomenal hydrating properties'. But there is little scientific evidence to support these claims.	View Here
Saturated fat	Recent media stories have suggested saturated fat may not be as dangerous to heart health as once thought...	View Here
Organic food	Recent research undertaken at the University of Sydney has found organic food does not have a greater nutritional value than conventionally-grown food...	View Here
Multivitamin supplements and breast cancer	A recently-published Swedish study has suggested the use of multivitamin supplements may increase the risk of breast cancer in women. This research has been widely reported in the Australian media...	View Here
Health fraud	A recent media article 'The $2billion health fraud' in the Sunday Telegraph questioned the use of the Medicare Benefits Schedule items by health professionals treating patients with chronic diseases...	View Here
Energy drinks	Energy drinks have become increasingly popular in Australia - and these drinks are often marketed at younger people...	View Here
Food industry sponsorship of sport	DAA has long been calling for more responsible marketing by the food and beverage industries. Having sports clubs and sporting events sponsored by fast food companies sends the wrong message to Australians, particularly children...	View Here
Bottled water	Moves to ban the sale of commercially-bottled water in some parts of New South Wales has attracted recent media attention...	View Here
Iodine	In October 2009 it became law in Australia for all bread (except organic bread) to be fortified with iodine...	View Here
Regulating the diet industry	The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is calling on the Government to better regulate the multi-million dollar weight loss industry...	View Here
Heart Foundation Tick Program	Some recent media reports have questioned the credibility of the Heart Foundation's Tick Program. The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) believes the Tick is a valuable tool in assisting Australians to choose healthier options...	View Here
Red meat and mortality	A recent US study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found a modest increase in risk of death from chronic diseases (such as cancer and cardiovascular disease) in people who had a high intake of red and processed meat...	View Here
LoGiCane	LoGiCane is a low glycaemic index (GI) sugar made from natural cane sugar, developed by Horizon Science and supported by the Glycemic Index Foundation...	View Here
Meal Replacements	Meal replacements are not a new tool in weight loss but in recent years they have gained popularity in the market place. Meal replacements are now sold over the counter at pharmacies and supermarkets, and online...	View Here
Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey	The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) welcomes the findings from the Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (Children's Survey). The results will help guide strategies to address health concerns in children...	View Here
Food advertising to children	The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) has long been calling for tighter regulation of food and beverage marketing to children. And DAA would like to see more responsible marketing of food and beverage products by the food industry...	View Here
Detox	'Detox diets' often encourage severe restriction of whole food groups such as meat or dairy food making it difficult to meet nutritional needs. The scientific basis for these kinds of stringent diets is lacking and such severe dietary restriction is unnecessary and potentially dangerous...	View Here
Food Additives and Behaviour	Recent United Kingdom (UK) research on a link between artificial food colours, a preservative and hyperactivity in children was published in 2007 in the medical journal The Lancet...	View Here

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