Always desperate to improve my gut health and lose weight, I am often sucked in by so-called experts on YouTube. You must have seen these guys pulling faces and probably making spurious claims. But they’re the experts, RIGHT? Until this week, I have taken their advice at face value. Who am I to dispute that what these ‘experts’ were spouting was not always 100% accurate?
After a recent piece of advice did not seem to stack up, I decided to dig deeper and checked out some credentials, where I discovered this site: https://www.foodfacts.org/people/eric-berg#
Quote from: https://www.foodfacts.org/
“Misinformation is a growing threat to our health and planet. At foodfacts.org, we’re dedicated to exposing the truth behind misleading food narratives..”
Dr. Eric Berg gets fact-checked by MD PhD doctor. Okay, this was regarding his advice on cholesterol, but if this was so FAR out, what about the rest of his advice?
I feel angry after watching this and horrified after reading the comments below it. Dr Eric Berg sounded SO convincing. Now I wonder how much of his dietary advice is incorrect?
How many more of these Food YouTubers offer misleading or conflicting advice?
I looked up Barbara O’Neill and found: Omega-3 fatty acids: evaluating the role of fish and plant sources
Another interesting read!
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Quote from ‘https://www.foodfacts.org/‘ Misinformation Superspreaders
Tracking Food Misinformation and Disinformation: The list highlights individuals and organizations that spread misleading or false claims about nutrition, health, sustainable food systems, and the environmental impact of food production. Stay informed
Individuals: https://www.foodfacts.org/watchlist-people
Organisations: https://www.foodfacts.org/watchlist
I signed up for their newsletter.
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This was NOT my intended #FoodieFriday post. But the more I read, the more despondent I became. Who can we trust? Have you ever watched something on YouTube or read an article and wondered true or false?
I will now go back through all my posts to check if I’ve referenced any of their information.
Piglet in Portugal 
I don’t know about the chap but Barbara was/is all over social media saying you can change/grow your hair with certain herby oils so that’s a red flag. She is a Seventh Day Adventist, they are cult who call themselves Christians. I think it’s best to eat food as God intended it as far as possible ie limit things coming out of a factory.
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Thanks Lana, I never realised that. This week’s detoru has been an eyeopener.
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I sometimes feel it’s more information overload more than anything. There are so much information out there and every person has a different opinion. I don’t think it’s misinformation, I think it’s just the difference in opinion. I have regular visits with a dietitian and two different doctors. One of the doctors often contradicts the other two medical professionals. You may have the same case here.
At the end of the day, I think should trust your gut to do what’s right for your body.
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Hi yinglan I agree about imformation overload but it is not just that it is also the credibility and credentials of the person offerent the advice. Do check out
https://www.foodfacts.org/
Also the video I shared was exposing misimformtion offered by an unqualified person on Cholesterol.
Do take a moment to check it out.
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I can’t say that i have ever turned to YouTube or FB for dietary information. Sensible eating without a lot of worthless calories, decrease portion size. Take care of yourself and don’t beat yourself up if you splurge on a special event.
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Hi Bernie, being a foodie I have researched the benefits of different foods which unfortuantely has led me into a warren of (as I discovered) misinformation. I believe you can help to heal your body (blood pressure, diebetise, IBS etc) through food. Eha, see below, has made some credible sources which I will check out.
I need to remember this!
I am wroking on portion size … I just have to contol myself on what I eat when I get the munchies
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As you know I got my MB.BS so long ago we did not even talk of food – that was up to ‘dietitians! Ha! But, even tho’ I went into business and did not practice, I have been studying natural medicine almost fulltime since about 1994 – and food is a huge part of it. Briefly > get the free Harvard and Mayo newsletters – slightly old-fashioned, but mostly correct. Follow Jonathan Landsman’s guests and listen to his free lecture series – some are somewhat extreme but all are mostly correct. Jonathan and Sarah Otto are too ‘American’ for me but mostly correct! I do not believe in ‘diets’ but the best overall is keeping in-between the Mediterranean and DASH . . . just be logical, don’t ruin your life! Learn what ‘portion-size’ means – European (eg French) is OK, the US triple of what one should have. Do the normal > half a plate of vegetables or salads, 1/4 protein, 1/4 good carbs. Don’t crumb, don’t deep-fry > I do a lot of stir-fries Asian-style. Nothing ‘white’ – potatoes or rice or pasta – all wholegrain or brown etc. Lot of mushrooms, tofu, tempeh, fermented foods, nuts, salad vegetables, herbs, tons of all kinds of beans. Fish of course, especially herring, anchovies, wild salmon, dark chocolate of course (30g daily), healthy chicken. No snacks – three thought-out balanced meals will do. Sorry – i have gone on . . . but, for God’s sake, don’t listen to those who want to be famous on line and moneyed as a result!!!
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Oh, forgot! Both of us love ‘eating out’ I think! I hardly ever order a main course, many of which tend to be somewhat ‘pedestrian’ – two to three first courses (tapas-style) tend to be much more exciting and usually have fewer calories :) !
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Yes, we have started doing that in some restaurants. :)
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Hi Eha, thank you for the recommendations I will check them out.
I do follow the Mediterranean diet but I recognise my problem is probably portion control (which I am working on) and I have cut 95% of UP foods from my diet. Re wild salmon I don’t think I have seen it here.
I am interested in learning more about fermented foods and was researching sauerkraut. (How to make). I even got as far as buying a white cabbage.
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I don’t trust any food “experts” who advertise on social media such as Facebook or Instagram, etc. In my mind, if they were true experts, they wouldn’t have to work so hard at recruiting internet followers (and often, paying customers). They’d be busy enough with their own real life practices. Who do you trust? I’d say first of all, to trust your own body and how you feel physically and emotionally. Next, trust real life physicians , physiotherapists, and dieticians who you can meet with face to face and ask questions/express concerns. Those are just my suggestions – Anymore, I have a very jaded view of almost all online information – especially these past few years, when it’s really ai answering everything, and we all know ai’s inaccuracy rate, which it admits itself.
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That’s true, Terry. They also make a lot of money via the advertising. Clicks.
Who do you trust? I’d say first of all, to trust your own body and how you feel physically and emotionally. Next, trust real life physicians , physiotherapists, and dieticians who you can meet with face to face and ask questions/express concerns.
In truth after my experiences it’s really hard to know who to trust. I trusted a surgeon and he messed up my knee which in turn changed my life. Physicians … I don’t trust. Well, maybe the lady doc I’ve seen this year and is working mind/body as a whole. Physios – I’ve had loads over the years and they vary in competence. thankfully my latest one is excellent and we are moving mountains. the only dietician I have seen was the size of a house and never knew anything about peanut allergies/intolerances. I would like to see a dietician but I doubt they could tell me any more than I already know … haha … unless they can presscribe a pill for willpower );
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