Broscience FTW

ashleyisgreat

Today I got into an argument with a friend about nutrition, which is a mistake because this particular friend is a big believer in broscience nonsense. She often touts myths without knowing much about science or nutrition.

So today she insisted that you can lose weight while on a surplus as long as you're eating paleo. She vehemently insisted that a calorie deficit is not the only way to lose weight; as long as you're eating "healthy food," you can eat as much as you want (even when it exceeds your daily caloric needs). She knows this because "they've done studies" and "each person is different."

We then got into the issue of "a calorie is not a calorie," and while I acknowledged that different foods have different nutrient densities, I insisted that, barring a medical condition that would prevent normal weight loss, a calorie deficit WILL result in weight loss because, ya know, thermodynamics. She said this was wrong, since almost everyone has "undiagnosed food allergies," which is causing inflammation that stops weight loss from happening.

Ah, isn't misinformation great?

snazzyjazzy21

I generally just give up when it comes to people like that. It doesn't matter how much scientific evidence you throw at people, they refuse to believe it and they're not interested in any 'truths' that aren't their own.

knightlygator

Today I got into an argument with a friend about nutrition, which is a mistake because this particular friend is a big believer in broscience nonsense. She often touts myths without knowing much about science or nutrition.

You know the blonde bimbo I work with too?? Gosh the world is small.

autovatic

Super frustrating, especially when you're coming from sceptic's perspective.

But I would say, give your friend the benefit of the doubt: help her learn to think critically about the things she is reading, show her places to look up *credible* information, don't just feed her facts that contradict what she is currently believing.

A tall task, but one less person who believes everything they see on Facebook is a huge victory for humanity!

Capt_Apollo

you know, "each person is different" is all well and good, but there are 7 billion of us. i bet more of us are the same than we think.

Unknown

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susannamarie

My mother does this to me.

She keeps telling me how all I need to do is cut carbs and it'll be impossible to gain weight no matter how much I eat.

Then she tells me to drink more milk.

ndj1979

in…for the snowflake support of this...

Trechechus

I am allergic to asparagus and pickles... Or maybe I just hate them.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I generally just give up when it comes to people like that. It doesn't matter how much scientific evidence you throw at people, they refuse to believe it and they're not interested in any 'truths' that aren't their own.

I read a study recently that basically found that if you use science to prove psuedoscience wrong, the believer will cling to it even more tightly.

So it's hopeless, pretty much.


Here it is. It's talking about the antivax movement but I still think it applies.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/03/03/effective_messages_in_vaccine_promotion_when_it_comes_to_anti_vaxxers_there.html

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2014/02/25/peds.2013-2365

ndj1979

I generally just give up when it comes to people like that. It doesn't matter how much scientific evidence you throw at people, they refuse to believe it and they're not interested in any 'truths' that aren't their own.

I read a study recently that basically found that if you use science to prove psuedoscience wrong, the believer will cling to it even more tightly.

So it's hopeless, pretty much.

they should do a study on the 'rage quit cycle'

ashleyisgreat

I generally just give up when it comes to people like that. It doesn't matter how much scientific evidence you throw at people, they refuse to believe it and they're not interested in any 'truths' that aren't their own.

I read a study recently that basically found that if you use science to prove psuedoscience wrong, the believer will cling to it even more tightly.

So it's hopeless, pretty much.

Noooo. That's terrible! haha

Capt_Apollo

Today I got into an argument with a friend about nutrition, which is a mistake because this particular friend is a big believer in broscience nonsense. She often touts myths without knowing much about science or nutrition.

So today she insisted that you can lose weight while on a surplus as long as you're eating paleo. She vehemently insisted that a calorie deficit is not the only way to lose weight; as long as you're eating "healthy food," you can eat as much as you want (even when it exceeds your daily caloric needs). She knows this because "they've done studies" and "each person is different."

We then got into the issue of "a calorie is not a calorie," and while I acknowledged that different foods have different nutrient densities, I insisted that, barring a medical condition that would prevent normal weight loss, a calorie deficit WILL result in weight loss because, ya know, thermodynamics. She said this was wrong, since almost everyone has "undiagnosed food allergies," which is causing inflammation that stops weight loss from happening.

Ah, isn't misinformation great?

btw, i just noticed your ticker. this should've been your response.

ashleyisgreat

Today I got into an argument with a friend about nutrition, which is a mistake because this particular friend is a big believer in broscience nonsense. She often touts myths without knowing much about science or nutrition.

So today she insisted that you can lose weight while on a surplus as long as you're eating paleo. She vehemently insisted that a calorie deficit is not the only way to lose weight; as long as you're eating "healthy food," you can eat as much as you want (even when it exceeds your daily caloric needs). She knows this because "they've done studies" and "each person is different."

We then got into the issue of "a calorie is not a calorie," and while I acknowledged that different foods have different nutrient densities, I insisted that, barring a medical condition that would prevent normal weight loss, a calorie deficit WILL result in weight loss because, ya know, thermodynamics. She said this was wrong, since almost everyone has "undiagnosed food allergies," which is causing inflammation that stops weight loss from happening.

Ah, isn't misinformation great?

btw, i just noticed your ticker. this should've been your response.

Close! It was more like Donny's face back there behind The Dude. Seriously. lol

heathercondon79

Genius!

RomulanWarbird

Today I got into an argument with a friend about nutrition, which is a mistake because this particular friend is a big believer in broscience nonsense. She often touts myths without knowing much about science or nutrition.

So today she insisted that you can lose weight while on a surplus as long as you're eating paleo. She vehemently insisted that a calorie deficit is not the only way to lose weight; as long as you're eating "healthy food," you can eat as much as you want (even when it exceeds your daily caloric needs). She knows this because "they've done studies" and "each person is different."

We then got into the issue of "a calorie is not a calorie," and while I acknowledged that different foods have different nutrient densities, I insisted that, barring a medical condition that would prevent normal weight loss, a calorie deficit WILL result in weight loss because, ya know, thermodynamics. She said this was wrong, since almost everyone has "undiagnosed food allergies," which is causing inflammation that stops weight loss from happening.

Ah, isn't misinformation great?

btw, i just noticed your ticker. this should've been your response.

^

How annoying! Obviously you know a little bit about what you're doing considering your progress.

QueenBishOTUniverse

I generally just give up when it comes to people like that. It doesn't matter how much scientific evidence you throw at people, they refuse to believe it and they're not interested in any 'truths' that aren't their own.

I read a study recently that basically found that if you use science to prove psuedoscience wrong, the believer will cling to it even more tightly.

So it's hopeless, pretty much.


Here it is. It's talking about the antivax movement but I still think it applies.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/03/03/effective_messages_in_vaccine_promotion_when_it_comes_to_anti_vaxxers_there.html

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2014/02/25/peds.2013-2365

As a teacher of evolution in the south, this is something we've known about for A LONG TIME, no studies needed. But as a scientist, the study is of course icing.

Sbrn_

I generally just give up when it comes to people like that. It doesn't matter how much scientific evidence you throw at people, they refuse to believe it and they're not interested in any 'truths' that aren't their own.

I read a study recently that basically found that if you use science to prove psuedoscience wrong, the believer will cling to it even more tightly.

So it's hopeless, pretty much.


Here it is. It's talking about the antivax movement but I still think it applies.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/03/03/effective_messages_in_vaccine_promotion_when_it_comes_to_anti_vaxxers_there.html

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2014/02/25/peds.2013-2365

Oh my. :noway: How else are people going to learn and refine what they already know if they can't even accept cold, hard facts? That's actually quite terrifying. For serious.

QueenBishOTUniverse

I generally just give up when it comes to people like that. It doesn't matter how much scientific evidence you throw at people, they refuse to believe it and they're not interested in any 'truths' that aren't their own.

I read a study recently that basically found that if you use science to prove psuedoscience wrong, the believer will cling to it even more tightly.

So it's hopeless, pretty much.


Here it is. It's talking about the antivax movement but I still think it applies.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/03/03/effective_messages_in_vaccine_promotion_when_it_comes_to_anti_vaxxers_there.html

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2014/02/25/peds.2013-2365

Oh my. :noway: How else are people going to learn and refine what they already know if they can't even accept cold, hard facts? That's actually quite terrifying. For serious.

Three words: Flat Earth Society

ashleyisgreat

I generally just give up when it comes to people like that. It doesn't matter how much scientific evidence you throw at people, they refuse to believe it and they're not interested in any 'truths' that aren't their own.

I read a study recently that basically found that if you use science to prove psuedoscience wrong, the believer will cling to it even more tightly.

So it's hopeless, pretty much.


Here it is. It's talking about the antivax movement but I still think it applies.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/03/03/effective_messages_in_vaccine_promotion_when_it_comes_to_anti_vaxxers_there.html

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2014/02/25/peds.2013-2365

Oh my. :noway: How else are people going to learn and refine what they already know if they can't even accept cold, hard facts? That's actually quite terrifying. For serious.

Three words: Flat Earth Society

This and geocentrism. :huh:

susannamarie

12 million Americans believe that our country is run by shape-shifting lizard aliens, and you're surprised that so many believe broscience? :P

http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/04/12-million-americans-believe-lizard-people-run-our-country/63799/

jennifries227

Not long after I started counting calories a friend on Facebook posted a Broscience article stating that counting calories was bad for you and it wouldn't help you lose weight. She didn't tag me in the post, but there was no question why she posted it.

I just keep counting my calories and keep losing weight. 21 pounds since I started, and 11 since I joined MFP! So much for it not working...

zoeysasha37

Sometimes its not worth getting into with ignorant people. Just say, well you go ahead and eat at a surplus and I'll eat at a deficit and we'll see which works best!

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

12 million Americans believe that our country is run by shape-shifting lizard aliens, and you're surprised that so many believe broscience? :P

http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/04/12-million-americans-believe-lizard-people-run-our-country/63799/

Well I shouldn't surprised by that. But I am.

ndj1979

12 million Americans believe that our country is run by shape-shifting lizard aliens, and you're surprised that so many believe broscience? :P

http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/04/12-million-americans-believe-lizard-people-run-our-country/63799/

hey, lets not start questioning the lizard shifting overlords….i don't want any part of that...

ashleyisgreat

12 million Americans believe that our country is run by shape-shifting lizard aliens, and you're surprised that so many believe broscience? :P

http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/04/12-million-americans-believe-lizard-people-run-our-country/63799/

hey, lets not start questioning the lizard shifting overlords….i don't want any part of that...

You're one of them! I knew it.

QueenBishOTUniverse

12 million Americans believe that our country is run by shape-shifting lizard aliens, and you're surprised that so many believe broscience? :P

http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/04/12-million-americans-believe-lizard-people-run-our-country/63799/

hey, lets not start questioning the lizard shifting overlords….i don't want any part of that...

You're one of them! I knew it.

Well I've never seen his face, have you?

nikkihk

12 million Americans believe that our country is run by shape-shifting lizard aliens, and you're surprised that so many believe broscience? :P

All of my friends are trying this new diet plan.. Soylent something? Tastes great and only half the calories of other meal replacements.

eileen0515

When I was younger, I would try and debate silly, misinformed people, on a variety of subjects. Today I just write them off, and move on. I have come to the realization, many people have a distrust of science, and magic makes more sense. Sheesh!

astronomicals

i dont see stupid

angelzprophecy

but i dont understand how inflammation would cause you to stop losing weight.... like wheres the logic in that???

and paleo is a fad diet that has not been around for that long. how does she think people lost weight before then? by accident? it just happened somehow? secret paleo dieting?