The right people for the job

Hi guys, it's time for me to have a whinge.

A real bug bear of mine is the amount of incorrect and inaccurate nutrition information that is floating around out there.

What bugs me even more, is when high profile celebrities or other people off the street start preaching about nutrition when they are not qualified to do so. And because of their profile, people believe them, tell their friends, and suddenly there is so much nonsense out there in the world.  

Can I tell you a secret?

If there is anyone, ANYONE... that you should trust when it comes to food and nutrition, it's an Accredited Practising Dietitian (or APD). To become an APD you need to complete a university degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as adhering to a continuing professional development program.

I particularly like a note that Matt O'Neill (APD) wrote on his facebook page recently:

Who's your Nutrition Expert?

by Matt O'Neill on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 7:02pm

NUTRITION RANT!!! Ok, would you go to your GP for open heart surgery?

Of course not because you know a heart surgeon is the person for the job. Would you get VIP Home Maintenance to deisgn your new house? Of course not, because you know you need an architect.

So when Tiffany (the new Biggest Loser trainer) jumps on Nova FM saying things like you should have a zero sugar diet, that fruit shouldn't be in your daily diet & to not eat low-fat products, is she the right person for the job? Of course not.

This why I don't prescribe people exercise programs or tell people to stand on a fitness ball on one leg.

Because I could get it wrong, don't want to harm people & believe PTs and Exercise Scientists are the experts on exercise plans.

The moral of the story

When it comes to nutrition information, it's important to keep your filters on and think about the source of information and what qualifications that person has.

Just remember, when it comes to food and nutrition, APDs are the experts.

  
To find an APD, go to www.daa.asn.au and click on Find An APD.

For media enquiries, DAA has 18 media-trained spokespeople who are qualified to discuss a range of food and nutrition issues in the media. Contact DAA's Communications Dietitian on 0409 661 920.