Read This Before You Trust That 'Too Good To Be True' Diet Study
Food can sometimes feel like a complex equation that you need to decode. This is especially relevant now, considering the sheer number of food trends that seem to surround us. While new diet studies might seem particularly promising — especially if they align with your health goals — it's important to remember that you need to double-check the facts before you believe claims from a study you've just come across.
Also, certain Reddit users got it right when they said everyone's requirements hinge on several factors, such as activity levels. One commentator wrote, "Marathon runners need more carbs than the average person. Morbidly obese folk should not eat like powerlifters. The healthiest diet is the one that allows you to stick to your goals."
That said, food is undeniably complicated. As per the Food Network, a recent example that cropped up was a piece from The New York Times that cited a new research paper from Science. It basically mentioned that metabolism doesn't undergo any drastic changes before age 60, which may or may not be true. Indeed, this topic needs to be examined further to draw definitive conclusions.
Exercise your judgement
According to the Food Network, it's important to do your homework when you find out about a new diet study. Your best bet is to set aside some time for the research paper and look for more information online. Read the research paper and look up the authors to see what you can find about them. It also helps to rely on peer-reviewed studies that have been published in reputable publications such as the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and more.
Remember that a company can fund a research study in order to add credibility to its own products, which makes it tricky to trust what you see. Additionally, it's wise to look at several studies because nutrition is always changing and doesn't remain constant. Still not sure about this? Here's an easy solution: When in doubt, talk to a licensed nutritionist for more perspective on a study that you're interested in.