Consult Newsletter

Evaluating Nutritional Websites

Melissa Ohlson, MS, RD, LD

With the popularity of the Internet these days, there is a seemingly endless amount of information available. Nutrition information is no exception. Unfortunately, there is little policing when it comes to the content found on nutrition sites, which leaves a lot of space open for anyone to publish a site and make a nutritional claim. To avoid falling victim to false information ask yourself the following seven questions first:

What are the credentials of the person(s) offering advice?

Determine if the person offering advice has credentials from an accredited college or university. Their credentials should be listed somewhere on the website. A registered dietitian (RD) is your best source for the most up-to-date and accurate nutrition information. In order to receive the credentials ‘RD’ the individual must have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree in nutrition or related science, completed a nine to 12-month internship at an accredited institution, and passed a national registration exam to practice nutrition. To maintain their credentials, they must also participate regularly in continuing-education programs approved by the American Dietetic Association.

What is the site’s purpose and objective?

The purpose and/or objective of the site should be available to the reader. This will allow you to determine if the objective of the site is to sell a product, provide a service or state a point of view. The site’s informational content should also be free of any advertisements.

What are their nutritional claims, and do they have scientific evidence to back their claims?

Are their nutritional claims based on testimonials, or is it sound scientific evidence referenced to the reader and published in a peer-reviewed journal such as The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition? Do not bank on someone’s personal experience. Make sure enough research has been done in the area to make recommendations for the population at-large.

Do they promise quick and dramatic results?

Site’s offering quick fixes or magic bullets are a telltale sign of a fraudulent nutrition site. Almost all nutrition programs require time to take effect, especially when weight loss is your goal. Do they provide you with guidelines you can follow for life, or is it a quick fix with few to no follow-ups or weight-loss maintenance recommendations? A good nutrition program offers continual reinforcement and support and provides behavioral changes that you can use for the long-term.

Are whole food groups being omitted from the diet plan?

Nutritionally sound diets (even diets aimed at losing weight) contain foods from all of the food groups. Eliminating whole food groups is generally contraindicated because it can reduce your intake of a variety of important vitamins and minerals. Consumers should be weary of programs offering a “magic” food or pill to be taken daily. You can also bet it will probably cost more than buying whole foods alone.

Do they recommend pills or supplements?

Many sites claim our food supply is plummeting in nutritional value and that the processing of foods changes their nutrient content. However, many companies overemphasize this point. While it is true processing of foods does destroy some nutrients, other nutrients are commonly added back to foods. Eating a balanced, variety of foods each day will provide you with all of the nutrients you need each day.

Also be wary of programs recommending exceedingly high doses of vitamins and minerals. Some sites will try to convince you that our current vitamin and mineral recommendations are not adequate for optimal health. All of the vitamins and minerals that you need for optimal health can be found in eating a variety of foods from all of the food groups each day. What’s more, certain foods such as dietary fiber and phytochemicals offer a heart protective benefit not found in most pills and supplements.

Does the site contain special tests or questionnaires to determine your nutritional status?

The Internet contains an exorbitant amount of information, often making it difficult to decipher what is accurate. For this reason, there is ultimately no single replacement for a licensed dietician or physician to determine your exact nutritional needs and goals. While a simple calculation may be sufficient to determine you caloric needs, a healthcare professional may also use blood work, physical exam or urinalysis to asses your nutritional status.

Asking yourself these seven questions can help you avoid fraudulent and sometimes dangerous information found on the Internet. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

To find accurate and up-to-date nutrition information on the Internet, visit:

American Dietetic Association

The Cleveland Clinic Heart & Vascular Institute

For sound nutrition guidelines and information catered to your unique nutrition needs, visit us at eCleveland Clinic Nutrition