National Nutrition Month: Tips for choosing credible information sources
- Suraya Bunting
- Mar 30, 2020
- 4 min read
COVID-19 has undoubtedly affected all of our lives. From school closures to disruptions in congressional meetings, the past month has the world navigating through uncharted territory. In addition, there seems to be an all-time high in the spread of misinformation. Misinformation can be very dangerous because it can spread fast, perpetuate fear, and encourage people to do harmful things. One of the best things you can do for yourself during the pandemic is to verify the credibility of the sources you are reading, listening to, and watching.
Sources that you rely on need to be credible and valid, meaning that the publication has a reputation of delivering accurate, evidence-based information without opinion and bias.
The importance of credible websites
We live in a digital age where anyone and everyone can make a website. Think of websites like your doctor; would you want just anyone to be your doctor? Probably not. You want a doctor that you know has the proper qualifications, training, and experience to be a practicing physician. That’s the same standard you should hold to websites. For information regarding COVID-19, websites sources that you rely on should be from qualified persons and organizations. Use caution when interpreting information from the media and various news outlets, as these publications tend to be adaptations from credible websites sources and sometimes may contain bias. Below are recommendations for credible websites.
WHO - The World Health Organization is a group of more than 7,000 professionals comprised of medical doctors, public health specialists, scientists, and epidemiologists. Their COVID-19 response sports media resources, myth busters, research and development, travel advice, and much more.
CDC - The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is one of the major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services. Their COVID-19 page includes latest updates, resources for the community, information for health professionals and much more.
FDA - The Food and Drug Administration has been working with the CDC and medical product manufacturers to respond to COVID-19. They have developed a very handy FAQ resource for the general public.
FEMA - The Department of Homeland Security has a COVID-19 response page the outlines fact sheets, guidance, best practices and FAQs as a measure to execute a “Whole-of-America” response to the pandemic.
Coronavirus.gov - This website was a jointed effort from the CDC, the White House, and FEMA. It includes resources on how to prepare and protect yourself during the pandemic, measures to take if you become sick, information about social distancing, and much more.
The importance of credible authors
Registered dietitian nutritionists, medical doctors, epidemiologists, researchers, psychologists, and many other health professionals have spoken out during the COVID-19 pandemic. These professionals have the appropriate training, knowledge, and resources to present evidence-based information regarding the virus to the general public. It is important to note that evidence-based information is extremely crucial during this time because it is scientific and mathematical-based, not biased and opinion-based.
While reading articles or listening to podcasts, don’t hesitate to check the author’s or speaker’s credentials. Common credible credentials include but are not limited to MD (medical doctor) RDN (registered dietitian nutritionist), Ph.D (doctor of philosophy) MSN (Master of nursing science), and MPH (Master in public health). Some credible authors may write editorials or opinion/perspective articles - try to avoid these, as these articles tend to contain bias. Below are some articles that were either written by or feature interviews of credible sources on the topic of COVID-19.
Michael Osterholm, PhD - He is a professor of environmental health sciences, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, and chair in public health at the University of Minnesota.
George Gao, PhD - He is the director-general of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a professor in the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the president of the Chinese Society of Biotechnology.
Baruch Fischhoff, PhD - He is a Howard Heinz university professor in the department of Engineering and Public Policy and the Institute for Politics and Strategy at Carnegie Mellon University.
NIH - National Institute of Health is the go-to resource for the latest research information regarding COVID-19.
WHO - The organization has declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in late January of 2020. World scientists, who have been working together to guide and accelerate research around COVID-19, have created a coordinated global research map about the virus, which can be found here.
The importance of credible nutrition information
Evidence supports the claim that nutrition influences the immune system through the diet. Certain foods have components that are considered to be immune boosting because they contain compounds that support white blood cells and intestinal mucosa and/or fight the accumulation of free radicals in the cells. It is important to understand that although there are some foods that promote a healthy body and a healthy immune system, these foods neither prevent nor treat COVID-19. There are many scams going around the internet where companies claim to have nutrition products that will due such things. They can be found here. There are also companies that are selling products with the pretense that their products boost the immune system overnight. Don’t be fooled - most of these products have not been evaluated by the FDA.
The best way to support your immune system is to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables in conjunction with a well-balanced eating pattern.
When seeking nutrition information regarding COVID-19, the most qualified individual is the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. They have the training, expertise, and resources in this area to make the most critically informed decision. Below are recommendations on where to receive nutrition information and education during this pandemic and beyond.
AND - The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals that represents over 100,000 credentialed practitioners. This resource was created to provided helpful tips regarding grocery shopping, food safety, healthful eating, and more.
FNS - The Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA has released a response to COVID-19. This response includes an update on nutrition programs provided by FNS, tips for food safety, USDA emergency food assistance contacts, and more.
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