How Do You Stay Updated On the Latest Nutrition Research?
Navigating the ever-evolving landscape of nutrition science can be daunting, so we've gathered insights from top professionals in the field, including Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists. From sharing research with peers to attending conferences for the latest insights, here are five strategies they use to stay at the forefront of dietary knowledge and how it shapes their practice.
- Share Research with Peers
- Read Journals and Attend Conferences
- Subscribe to Expert Newsletters
- Follow Researchers and Join Journal Clubs
- Attend Conferences for Latest Insights
Share Research with Peers
My favorite way to stay connected with peers and colleagues in the field is by sharing information. When someone finds a new article or learns about new research outcomes that could impact practice, we share the information with one another. I also stay connected to certain distribution lists for entities that disseminate or publish peer-reviewed articles, as well as participate in forums with other dietitians in similar areas of practice to hear about how they're evolving their practice and what research has fueled those decisions.
Read Journals and Attend Conferences
I stay updated on the latest nutrition research through a combination of reading recent journal articles, attending conferences (such as Expo West), and going to workshops and classes led by experts. This knowledge has influenced my practice by providing me with the most updated research and wellness products on the market. As knowledge continues to grow and investigations continue to be pursued regarding the chemicals within the food we eat, supplements we may ingest, and the air we breathe, we discover that something we thought was a healthy choice many years ago is no longer the best option, and there are healthier and/or safer products on the market. It is important to continue learning and growing within the field of nutrition and in life.
Subscribe to Expert Newsletters
I like to stay up-to-date on the latest nutrition research by joining email lists and newsletters of some of my favorite scientists. Other experts have much more time than I do for combing through the newest research, and I trust their expertise. This has been a huge help to my practice. Including experts in other fields, too, has provided a helpful perspective.
Follow Researchers and Join Journal Clubs
There are three approaches I take to staying updated on the latest nutrition research:
1) I subscribe to a newsletter called 'Obesity and Energetics Offerings.' It's a weekly newsletter that links to the latest publications in diet, nutrition, physiology, basic science, and others.
2) I follow respected researchers on Twitter and retweet and read any interesting research they share. Now that I've been doing this for a few years, Twitter knows what I'm into, and my feed mainly consists of nutrition- and exercise-related research.
3) We have a journal club channel in Slack at work. People regularly share research and stories about nutrition that we discuss and try to dissect and make sense of.
In terms of how this has influenced my practice, I think a key example is through Twitter. I've followed Dr. Stuart Phillips for years since I first heard his name on a podcast. Dr. Stuart is one of the world's leading researchers in protein metabolism.
After following him on Twitter and reading much of his research, I started applying his recommendations with my clients.
The key ones being:
1) Ensure you eat 20-40 g of protein each meal.
2) Ensure fairly even protein distribution, so 30-30-30 rather than 10-10-70.
A practical approach with this information is to base your meals around protein and go from there.
Attend Conferences for Latest Insights
Staying on top of the latest in nutrition research is crucial in my line of work as a senior coach at Total Shape. One of my favorite ways to stay updated is by regularly attending conferences and seminars hosted by reputable organizations in the field. These events bring together experts who share their latest findings and insights, which I find incredibly valuable.
For example, last year I attended a seminar on the impact of intermittent fasting on metabolism and weight loss. The research presented there shed light on some misconceptions surrounding fasting and its effects on various body types. Armed with this new knowledge, I was able to adjust my coaching approach for clients who were interested in trying intermittent fasting, ensuring they were doing it safely and effectively.
