Eating Beyond the Headlines: Sorting Evidence from Emotion

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This webinar was presented live on February 24, 2021.

Alarming food and nutrition headlines not only confuse consumers but may also result in the exclusion of nutrient-rich foods from the diet. Nutrition and health recommendations should be based on the scientific evidence and not the results of a single study heralded in the media. This can be challenging especially for topics that evoke strongly held and emotional beliefs that often defy scientific reality. This presentation will examine some of the current popular nutrition topics in the news and the real scientific facts behind them as well as effective strategies to communicate with patients, clients and consumers on these topics.

CPEU: 1.0
CPE Level: 2
Learning Need Codes: 4040, 5280, 5370, 9020
Performance Indicators: 4.1.2, 6.2.5, 6.3.7, 6.3.11, 8.1.2, 8.3.6

Learning Objectives

1. Critically evaluate studies that have been sensationalized in the media.
2. Identify the scientific facts behind popular nutrition myths in the media.
3. Explain the nutritional consequences of omitting specific foods from the diet that have been vilified in the media.
4. Communicate effectively with audiences to dispel food myths and fears promoted in the media.

Speaker

Neva Cochran, MS, RDN, LD, FAND

Neva Cochran is a registered dietitian nutritionist based in Dallas. She serves as a nutrition communications consultant to food, nutrition and agriculture organizations and is a frequent speaker at local and state Academy conferences. She is passionate about promoting fact-based food and nutrition information to help people eat beyond the headlines and enjoy a variety of nutrient-rich foods. An active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at the district, state and national level throughout her career, she currently serves as Chair of the Texas Academy Nominating Committee and Secretary of the Dietitians in Business and Communication Dietetic Practice Group. She was a 2012 recipient of the Academy's Medallion Award and the 2016 Texas Academy's Outstanding Preceptor Award. She earned a BS in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Oklahoma, a master's in nutrition from the Texas Woman's University and completed her dietetic internship at Texas Health Resources Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas.