Eating a diet high in fat will cause weight gain

January 12, 2008

I don't know about you, but there are a few things that drive me crazy about how the media reports the latest health and nutrition research. Have you ever bought a magazine or watched a program because of a sensational headline or promo, and when you read or heard the story, it was much ado about nothing? The story didn't match the headlines or the findings contradicted last week's leading story. For example, I'm sure you've heard the following half-stories or contradictions, "eating a diet high in fat will cause weight gain, but, really, too many carbs will make you fat; being overweight is unhealthy, but really, being overweight is okay; starvation diets don't work, but actually, eating fewer calories will extend life." After a while, it becomes difficult to figure out what we are supposed to be doing to stay healthy. Many just tune it all out believing that whatever is good for you this week will be bad for you next week, and vice versa. Don't give up on your pursuit of a healthy lifestyle! Just keep a few things in mind when you read or hear these reports:

The media only has the space to report the 'bling,' not all the details
Who did the research, and who paid for the research?
How big was the research study, who were the subjects and how long did it last?
Has the research been done before with the same results?
Was the research even done on humans, or was it done on animals or in a test tube?

If you're confused or have questions, check out the information with a professional or a reliable source, like Sound Bites!