Comparison of Reliable and Unreliable Nutrition Websites

Running head: HEALTH ASSIGNMENT
HEALTH ASSIGNMENT
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1HEALTH ASSIGNMENT
Introduction:
According to the World Health Organization (2019), nutrition can be defined as the
process of appropriate intake of food according to the health needs of the body. The key to a
healthy body is determined by the cumulative components of healthy diet, physical exercise
and sufficient hydration (Mann & Truswell, 2017). The present generation is extremely
inclined to the internet and in order to satisfy the quest of getting the perfect body, people
heavily rely upon any unreliable source published online. The unreliable sources are often
published with catchy phrases and has the photographs of perfect model with a divine body.
Impressed by the ‘quick 7-day meal plan for weight loss’ or ‘what I eat to fit in my dream
dress’, young individuals end up consuming the most unhealthy diet plan that harms the body
and does no good. This paper intends to throw light on one such unreliable website that
assures weight loss within 7 days and is full of unreliable nutritional information. The paper
would critically compare and contrast the collected information with the reliable nutrition
website of Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. The paper would then discuss the strategies
that could be undertaken for a healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle.
Discussion:
The most authentic and credible website that provides correct information about
healthy eating in Australia can be mentioned as the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating
(Eatforhealth.gov.au, 2019). The website typically offers to the consumers a food selection
guide that presents the optimum proportion of the five group of nutrients that should be
consumed by individuals on everyday basis. In addition to this the Australian Dietary
Guidelines published on the website present an overview about the dietary principles that
individuals must adhere to, in order to sustain a healthy living (Eatforhealth.gov.au, 2019).
The first principle states that choosing the right amount of nutritious food and drinks to

2HEALTH ASSIGNMENT
adequately meet the energy needs and remaining physically active contribute to the
maintenance of a healthy body weight (Eatforhealth.gov.au, 2019). The second guideline
mentions that individuals must consume a variety of nutritious meals and chose form the five
groups of nutrients (Eatforhealth.gov.au, 2019). The third guideline throws light on limiting
the food intake that comprises of saturates fat, added salt, sugar or alcohol. The fourth
guideline focuses on supporting, encouraging and promoting breastfeeding and the fifth
guideline urges consumers to prepare and store meals safely (Eatforhealth.gov.au, 2019). The
website suggests that individuals who are interested in shedding weight must restrict
themselves to a minimum number of meal servings. However, individuals who are taller than
average must consume one or two extra serves from the five essential nutritional groups. It is
important to note here that the extra serving must be chosen from the group of green
vegetables and fresh fruits. However, an unreliable website popular on the internet
recommends consuming small and frequent meals on an everyday basis for better health and
guided weight loss (Shape Magazine, 2019). In addition to this, the Australian Guide to
Healthy living recommends consuming bread or grain as two major meal servings in a day.
Contrary to the recommended dietary regime, unreliable health websites recommend
substituting carbohydrate meals with protein for an accelerated weight loss journey (Shape
Magazine, 2019). Also, it is recommended that the best diet regime for an accelerated weight
loss must include allotting one third of the diet routine to fresh green leafy vegetables (Pagoto
et al., 2013; Freeland-Graves & Nitzke, 2013). This should not be confused with the
perception that the diet should exclusively comprise of green leafy vegetables and nothing
else. In fact, it rather means that whatever be the meal serving, a bowl of pasta or two slices
of bread, vegetables should be included in the sides. The rationale for the recommendation of
an exhaustive amount of vegetables can be explained as restricting the serving of the carbs
and making the serving equivalent to a few kilo joules (Schuldt, 2013). In addition to this, the