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Health experts share science-backed tips to cut through online nutrition misinformation
Tue, August 25, 2026 at 8:56 PM
UpdatedTue, August 25, 2026 at 8:56 PM
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LAS VEGAS (KSNV) —With nutrition advice flooding social media and the internet, health experts say many people are left trying to sort through information that can be confusing, contradictory or simply wrong. A few straightforward, science-backed principles can help cut through the noise a registered dietitian with Intermountain Health
Warren encouraged people to pay attention to who is giving nutrition advice and to look for qualified credentials. He advised viewers to “look for the RD or RDN credential.”
Among the most common misconceptions Warren addressed is the belief that eating late at night automatically leads to weight gain. He said weight changes are “mostly about total calories over the day, not the clock,” adding, “Your body doesn’t have a magic ‘fat switch’ at a certain hour.” Warren noted that late eating often gets criticized because nighttime snacking can be mindless, high-calorie and added on top of a full day of eating. If someone is truly hungry at night, he said a balanced snack can be fine.
Warren also pushed back on the idea that people need supplements or expensive “superfoods” to be healthy. He said no single food or powder is a “magic bullet,” and that a varied diet of everyday, affordable foods is a better approach. He also advised people to talk to their provider before adding supplements
On weight-loss medications, Warren said GLP-1 drugs can be helpful, but they are not a stand-alone solution. He said people tend to see the best and most lasting results when medications are paired with nutrition and lifestyle changes, not used instead of them
Warren offered several tips for spotting questionable nutrition advice online. He recommended being skeptical of claims that promise fast results, cut out whole food groups or are tied to selling a product. He also warned that “one weird trick” pitches and fear-based messaging are red flags, emphasizing that “real nutrition is boring, consistent, and personalized.”
Warren addressed viral claims that seed oils such as canola and soybean oil are toxic, calling it one of the biggest online scares and saying the science does not support the panic. In normal amounts, he said, seed oils are not “poison.” He added that the bigger issue is that many people consume these oils through ultra-processed foods, and that the overall pattern of eating heavily processed, fried and packaged foods matters more than singling out one ingredient
He also challenged the idea that carbohydrates are inherently fattening or should be treated as the enemy. Warren said carbohydrates are the body’s main energyare all carbohydrates and among the healthiest foods people can eat. He said the focus should be on quality and portion size rather than cutting out an entire food group
Warren warned against detox teas and cleanses that claim to flush out toxins. He said the body already has a built-in detox system through the liver and kidneys, and that cleanses and “skinny teas” can be a waste of money and may cause dehydration or gastrointestinal issues
Finally, he cautioned against trend-driven, all-or-nothing dieting that claims a single food or drink will “fix everything.” Warren said all foods can fit and that demonizing foods or labeling them strictly as good or bad can backfire and may fuel disordered eating
