Where are you getting your health info?

paulaGetshealthy
paulaGetshealthy Posts: 464
edited October 4 in Health and Weight Loss
Suggestion: take everything you read on the forums with a grain of salt. It's ridiculous how people argue with each other over who is right and who isn't regarding health and nutrition questions & answers.

Example: one poster was asking whether there is a difference with carbs coming from whole wheat/grain, and carbs from white rice, white bread, etc. One guy said it wasn't a big deal - a carb is a carb at the end of the day. Another poster offered the advice that the poster should opt for complex carbs because they offer more nutritional benefits. Well the first guy was offended and completely blew up on the second guy. Some people just can't be wrong.

Then there are people who say to eat low carb. Others say it doesn't matter. Some say protein will make you fat. Others say the more protein the better. Honestly this drives me nuts. If you want a real answer to a serious health question, ask a person who is actually qualified and can give you a professional answer: a doctor or nutritionist. They're your best bet. Otherwise, you might have to deal with incorrect information, and a**holes who can't tolerate being told they're wrong.

Replies

  • Cakepiebeer
    Cakepiebeer Posts: 392
    You're a very very VERY wise person ;)

    The worst are the ones who hide behind fake avatars

    btw.. I'm not giving bad advice, so my burger picture stays :)
  • paulaGetshealthy
    paulaGetshealthy Posts: 464
    I could never ask you to change that avatar! I'm really really attracted to it...
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    There are a lot of *kitten* here.
    And also a lot of really dumb and ignorant people.
    And also some tactful and intelligent people.
    Each of these people are sometimes right and sometimes wrong. Even the dummies are sometimes right and even the *kitten* are sometimes wrong. When a dummy contradicts an *kitten* with wrong information, this often irritates the *kitten* (we're talking figuratively here, so preparation-h does not apply), so then the *kitten* usually can't help but to give the dummy a schooling.

    Just because someone is a sweetheart doesn't make them right. And just because someone is an *kitten* doesn't make them wrong. The trick is in learning how to do you own research and do your own fact checking.

    As long as there's a forum here, people will post and post and never will everyone agree. And as long as things are slightly more amusing than they are annoying, *kitten* like me will stick around.
  • paulaGetshealthy
    paulaGetshealthy Posts: 464
    Exactly. If it's important to you, do your own research because with all the different information given on here, you might not know which is accurate. Ask professionals. And occassionally tell people they are wrong, even if they're right, and watch them get defensive; sit back and enjoy as they dig up articles, provide quotes, fax you a letter from their doctor, and recruit their friends to defend them...
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    I typically see where people are getting their information from before deciding it's really 'good'. When asking for advice on the forum, I usually like to ask for supporting evidence/research of their claims, otherwise it's just a bunch of opinion.
  • WifeNMama
    WifeNMama Posts: 2,876 Member
    "Even a broken clock is right twice a day."
  • fragilegift
    fragilegift Posts: 347 Member
    sorry to disagree, but my dr is an idiot pill pusher type. He recommended I walk to the next town over and back EVERY day. (10km) Uh..sorry doc, I'll take it easy and build up to that, and switch around what I do, where and on what day.

    Oh, and I know my body far better than he ever will, coz I live with it every day and can see what this or that does to it.
  • paulaGetshealthy
    paulaGetshealthy Posts: 464
    Then I'd say get a second and third PROFESSIONAL opinion. Do some research on medical websites. Honestly, unless you went to medical school, you aren't really qualified to decipher the wrong info from the right.

    Oh, and I know my body, too; I always have. Also, I was obese, so obviously my knowing my body wasn't very useful to me. Doing research is what helped me figure out what foods to eat and exercises to perform in order to drop the weight in a healthy manner.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    so it goes
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,976 Member
    Just ask me and you'll get the right answer.
  • AmythistRae
    AmythistRae Posts: 107
    Most of what is out there is not true....I do my research and then I do some more..then I trust me...
  • BigDanTX
    BigDanTX Posts: 92 Member
    Nope you are all wrong! This is exactly why I get my health information from Wikipedia, conspiracy websites, and Carrot Top.
  • paulaGetshealthy
    paulaGetshealthy Posts: 464
    Wikipedia is my bible ;)
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    Very wise words :smile:

    In saying that, some professionals can even give some strange advice at times. Lots of new studies being done all the time and many are stuck in the old ways. And that is why second and third opinions are necessary.
  • xraychick77
    xraychick77 Posts: 1,775 Member
    i get mine from experience..and the fact i am in the medical field. I do my own research on nutrition..and i for sure dont listen to the bro science on here..

    'starvation mode'
    'you must eat back or you'll gain weight'
    'lift lighter with less reps'
    blah blah
  • wannababyH
    wannababyH Posts: 106
    There are a lot of *kitten* here.

    Truth of the day!

    Today, some guy went on a 2000 word rant about my eating habits from one post he didn't fully read.
  • Cakepiebeer
    Cakepiebeer Posts: 392
    Just ask me and you'll get the right answer.

    I must agree with him
  • jfinnivan
    jfinnivan Posts: 360 Member
    The funny thing is that most arguments and disagreements are about things that would make a minuscule (or less) difference. The human body is remarkably adaptive and resilient. It's not a crisis if we eat a slice of Wonder Bread (do they still make that?) one day. We adapt, and survive.
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    Wikipedia is my bible ;)
    I hope you're joking. The winky surely means that.
  • natachan
    natachan Posts: 149
    What's wrong with wonder bread?

    Where do I get my info... complex question. My HS had a class in basic nutrition that all students were required to take. It explained the roles of different things like carbs, proteins, fats, fiber, etc. I also took a few anatomy and physiology classes which taught about body fat, muscle, as well as necessary vitamins and minerals for proper hair and skin complexion.

    Beyond that it's trial and error. I see what works for me based on those basic building blocks.
  • kgool
    kgool Posts: 177 Member
    Nope you are all wrong! This is exactly why I get my health information from Wikipedia, conspiracy websites, and Carrot Top.

    It is hard to argue with this wisdom, especially the Carrot Top part, I think he may be a modern day prophet.
  • stroutman81
    stroutman81 Posts: 2,474 Member
    Then I'd say get a second and third PROFESSIONAL opinion. Do some research on medical websites. Honestly, unless you went to medical school, you aren't really qualified to decipher the wrong info from the right.

    You need to go to medical school to understand research pertaining to exercise science and nutrition?
  • forestrose910
    forestrose910 Posts: 688 Member
    lol about the broken clock. but actually even that quote is not accurate as a stopped clock may be right twice a day but a broken one could just be running weird and never be right. Please take this in the spirit that it was written as in light because I really love that quote and do actually use it often. just a break from the heavy discussion (but necessary):laugh:
  • theseus82
    theseus82 Posts: 255 Member
    a broken 2-HAND clock is right twice per day. A broken digital clock is just a lie.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    There are a lot of *kitten* here.
    And also a lot of really dumb and ignorant people.
    And also some tactful and intelligent people.
    Each of these people are sometimes right and sometimes wrong. Even the dummies are sometimes right and even the *kitten* are sometimes wrong. When a dummy contradicts an *kitten* with wrong information, this often irritates the *kitten* (we're talking figuratively here, so preparation-h does not apply), so then the *kitten* usually can't help but to give the dummy a schooling.

    Just because someone is a sweetheart doesn't make them right. And just because someone is an *kitten* doesn't make them wrong. The trick is in learning how to do you own research and do your own fact checking.

    As long as there's a forum here, people will post and post and never will everyone agree. And as long as things are slightly more amusing than they are annoying, *kitten* like me will stick around.

    You sir, win.
  • cwilson466
    cwilson466 Posts: 3 Member
    I get my information from my own research. But the problem is that all the information about nutrition in the world may not help if motivation is the problem. We often set ourselves up to fail because people make comments that losing weight is actually very easy; calories in < calories out. This may be true, but our psychology plays a role in that, too. I think the best advice from a posting like this one isn't "what kind of food should I eat?" Instead it is, "What did you do to stay motivated?" and "How did you resist the temptation to eat 12 lbs of butter basted Turkey at Thanksgiving last year?" or "What tricks do you use to keep stress from derailing your healthy lifestyle?"

    That is the real help that I need!
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Since every body is different, there isn't a 'this is the only way to do it' out there. Many Doctors are willing to prescribe many things that are not healthy for us. I wouldn't expect them to be experts on nutrition and exercise either because that is NOT their focus in school or in practice. I had a doctor - one that was great for every other health issue I had - tell me to eat 800-1000 calories a day and I would lose weight. While that is probably true, it is probably not the healthiest way to lose it and I would feel like crap. There is a select group of people on here that I will trust with their input, but I will still check their information on my own. In the end, each of us has to find what works for us! Some people don't do well with a high carb diet and some do. If everyone worked the same, then there would be a simple this is exactly what you have to do to lose weight, but some people lose better with higher calorie counts, some lower, etc. Some can eat junk food non-stop and still lose weight. Find what works for you and tweak what you are doing based on advice you get and see if it works for you. That is the best you can do.
  • ievishs
    ievishs Posts: 1 Member
    If you can look past all the advertising, www.bodybuilding.com has lot of good info
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Just ask me and you'll get the right answer.

    You are on the list of people whose advice I trust.
This discussion has been closed.

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