Announcing March 2023 NNLM Reading Club: Nutrition Misinformation

Posted by Kristi Torp on March 2nd, 2023 Posted in: Blog, Consumer Health, Health Misinformation, Public Libraries
Tags: #HealthMisinformation, #NNLMReadingClub, nutrition

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Reality Bites – Nutrition Misinformation

Accurate nutrition information is science-based, peer reviewed, and replicable. Nutrition misinformation, however, is not supported by science and may be misleading or incomplete. We know it can be challenging for consumers to tease out reputable versus fraudulent nutrition information or claims. Since many consumers rely on nutrition information from various sources including: websites, television, radio, newspapers, advertisements, friends, and family, there are an abundance of opportunities for nutrition misinformation and health-related fraud to spread. 

The best way to protect against questionable health products and services is to be an informed consumer. Stay aware of the common claims and themes that accompany nutrition misinformation, such as:

• Food fads, fad diets, health fraud, and misdirected health claims are all types of nutrition misinformation.
• Do not rely on manufacturer claims when determining if a product is safe. Instead, seek out unbiased science-based research.
• Consult a medical professional with questions about dietary supplements including vitamins, minerals, herbs and botanicals

Source: Colorado State University Extension

For information on each of our three featured books, free downloadable book club discussion guides, customizable promotional materials and more, visit NNLM Reading Club: Nutrition Misinformation

With March being National Nutrition Month, the NNLM Reading Club has selected three books that connect to one of our NNLM national initiatives: confronting health misinformation. This month’s books focus on expanding what nutrition means and why it is not always as simple as one bite feeds all. Each book connects to a different facet of confronting nutrition misinformation.

• Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants was initially published in 2015, but a new YA version was released in 2022. We highlight the updated YA version of the book that contains insights into what indigenous wisdom and plants have to teach us about nutrition that we may not have considered before.
• Understanding food shaming and race is the topic of Psyche A. William-Forson’s book Eating While Black: Food Shaming and Race in America. This book explores what food shaming is and how it impacts members of the Black community.
• Lastly, forthcoming book release, The Wellness Trap: Break Free from Diet Culture, Disinformation, and Dubious Diagnoses, and Find Your True Well-Being by Christy Harrison confronts diet culture, overall nutrition disinformation, and how to empower yourself to follow your own nutrition journey.