Finding reliable and scientifically accurate sources of information about diet and nutrition can be challenging. It seems that dietary recommendations are always changing. As soon as one group of researchers discovers that we should avoid a certain food, another group discovers the exact opposite. 

In weeding through the mountains of information, I look for a few things which may bring me a little closer to the truth. The question I ask is, “Who benefits from this information?” When a business entity like the American Egg Board funds studies that show that its products are safe and healthy to consume, I am hesitant to accept the findings without further independent proof (And rightly so, as the American Egg Board has used some questionable tactics to keep unfavorable studies about eggs away from the public: https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/american-egg-board/). 

I use the same standard when looking for medical advice and guidance online. Our closest genetic relatives, the great apes, do not need to find out their blood type in order to eat an optimal diet. They don’t need to pay someone to tell them the secret food combinations that will keep them in good health. Nor are chimps and gorillas spending hundreds of dollars on supplements to optimize their physical performance. There shouldn’t be a price tag on knowing how to nourish our bodies. If there is a point on a website where the “secret” to vibrant health is just a credit card away, I know that the answer to “Who benefits from this information?” is unlikely to be “me”.

There are a handful of medical doctors, nutritionists, and researchers who offer all of their nutrition advice and vast knowledge at no cost. They are committed to helping people take control of their own health, lessening the economic burden of healthcare on families, corporations and nations, and protecting the earth from the tremendous environmental impact of a standard Western diet. There are books, videos, t-shirts, seminars, weekend intensives, and certifications available to purchase through these sites, but none are necessary to begin and sustain a change in diet and lifestyle. While you may decide over time that you want help or inspiration, you can take control of your own health today. “There is no secret ingredient.” (Kung Fu Panda)