Everybody Is an Expert, Right?

Posted on April 6, 2009

Seems everybody these days is a nutrition/health/fitness expert.  Everyone has their “miracle” whatever-plan that will do such and such and cure whatever you have.  “Do this, do that” or “don’t do this” or “don’t do that” is what we read/see/hear everyday about being healthier.

False.  Not everybody is an expert.  Not everybody knows what they are talking about. 

Here’s a good example:

Read THIS over at Small Bites.  It’s a review of a New York Times best-selling book called Skinny Bitch [FYI, some expletives in the post as quoted from the text of the book]. Here’s part of what Andy from Small Bites says:

“Why do people who have never studied nutrition science consider themselves authorities? Would you trust a dentist who never studied dentistry? Would you trust a surgeon who never set foot in medical school? I certainly wouldn’t. So why take nutrition advice from someone who hasn’t dedicated time to studying it — especially someone who works in an industry obsessed with unhealthy body shapes?”

Well said, Andy. 

Use common sense before diving into hyped-up miracle products and ideas.  When you read something online, check the sources. 

I’m not perfect, and I don’t know everything, but don’t believe that everyone else does either.  Just because a book is on the best-seller list doesn’t mean it’s accurate info.  Be smart.

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Comments

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  • http://marksalinas.com Mark

    “Use common sense before diving into hyped-up miracle products and ideas. When you read something online, check the sources.” Yes sir!

  • http://healthhabits.wordpress.com DR

    The Skinny Bitch series of books is a great example of how a great salesman can sell ice to an Eskimo (oops, I meant Inuit)

    DR´s last blog post..The Evolution of Health Habits

  • http://www.h2ofun.co.uk/above-ground-swimming-pools.htm Pool Dude

    The world has suddenly become filled with self-proclaimed gurus. Without having read the book (Skinny Bitches) myself it does indeed sound like a pile of the proverbial that should have immediately been consigned to the bargain bin. Why on earth would a heap of misleading inaccuracies make it to the best sellers list?

  • http://www.myfamilydoctor.com James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

    Great marketing does wonders.

  • http://www.lizrosenbaumfitness.com Liz Rosenbaum

    Yeah… I read that book and was not impressed at all! And I agree… the industry they are in, definitely doesn’t promote HEALTH! But an unrealistic body size!

    Liz Rosenbaum´s last blog post..Strength Training Party