Can We Find Common Ground?
A few dozen of the world’s leading nutrition researchers and influencers recently gathered in Boston to see what they could all agree on.
Monica Reinagel, MS, LD/N, CNS
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Can We Find Common Ground?
Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in a somewhat unusual event: a gathering of today’s most influential nutrition researchers, experts, authors—those who are shaping both the public conversation about nutrition, as well as wielding major influence over our national policies and major research institutions.
We came together to discuss the central questions and controversies about what we should be eating for optimal health. How much and what type of fat should we eat? Should we eat grains? Should we eat animal products? How important is the glycemic load? The ambitious goal of this conference was to find common ground on these issues.
The Finding Common Ground meeting was organized and hosted by Oldways, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote healthy eating and healthy foods. The Oldways organization has many initiatives, all of which aim to promote and preserve traditional approaches to diet, health, and food preparation. But it is perhaps strongly associated with the Mediterranean diet.
See also: Is the Mediterranean Diet Healthy?
As you probably know, the Mediterranean diet is relatively high in fats (mostly from olive oil), along with lots of vegetables and whole grains, and moderate amounts of wine and animal protein. Yet the consortium of experts convened by Oldways also included scientists who advocate for extremely low-fat diets, vegan diets, and Paleo-style diets.
See also: Pros and Cons of the Paleo Diet
If nutrition experts can’t give clear, consistent advice, there’s a risk that you’ll stop trying to get it right.
Were they trying to start a food fight? Quite the opposite. If nutrition experts can’t give you clear, consistent advice about nutrition, says Oldways president Sara Baer-Sinnott, there’s a real risk that you’ll conclude that there’s no way to get it right and stop trying. Thus, this no-hold-barred effort to see if scientists from across the spectrum can unite behind a set of evidence-based recommendations.
As the conference kicked off, I had the opportunity to sit down with Sara Baer-Sinnott, the president of Oldways. I asked her how much common ground can realistically be reached on some of these larger questions, and how pressure from a publishing industry that thrives on controversy and novelty impacts scientists who depend on that industry to get their message out.
You can listen to my conversation with Sara by clicking on the player above. In a future article, I’ll have my takeaways from Finding Common Ground.
About the Author
Monica Reinagel is a board-certified licensed nutritionist, author, and the creator of one of iTunes’ most highly ranked health and fitness podcasts. Her advice is regularly featured on the TODAY show, Dr. Oz, NPR, and in the nation’s leading newspapers, magazines, and websites. Do you have a nutrition question? Call the Nutrition Diva listener line at 443-961-6206. Your question could be featured on the show.