Why MNU evidence-based nutrition?

#macnutritionuni

Hey there! As a newbie to blogging feel free to leave me any suggestions to improve..

This blog contains the following information:

> A little bit about me

> Why MacNutritionUni evidence-based nutrition

> The MNU definition of evidence-based practice

> What this means for you

> Be wary

> Biased approaches to food

A little bit about me..

> I have a degree in Bsc Applied Psychology from Liverpool John Moores University. I have always been interested in human behavior and what motivates people to do things.

> I spent 10 years working in various business roles relating to the fashion and food industry only to realise my true passions in life were fitness and helping other people.

> I qualified as a level 3 personal trainer but this course only touches on the very basics of nutrition.

> As nutrition is key to helping people with their health and fitness goals I started to gather more knowledge in this area from other industry professionals, reading online articles and learning from my own experiences. However this did not give me all the answers and whilst I have helped many people lose body fat and build muscle there were still variations in the approaches we had to apply which made me question the source of the information I had acquired and left me searching for more answers. This led me to Martin Macdonald and MacNutritionUni.

Why MNU evidence-based nutrition?

#macnutritionuni

There is so much information out there which relates to nutrition from many different sources so it’s easy to get misled by information and personal biases. However MNU is a UK first 12 month evidence-based online nutrition course and I learnt as an evidence-based practice you can place trust that;

> the information has been thoroughly researched

> Is clear in its details leaving you no room for confusion or doubt

> Has been done with good judgement

> And is based on experimental observation or experience rather than theory or logic

So the MNU evidence-based practice definition is;

So when you hear the term MNU evidence-based practice you can be assured;

> this approach combines research and experience and is not just randomised control trials or oberservational studies.

> its not just based on research as research doesn't always work in real life. For example cancer cells in alkaline water cannot survive in a test tube but this doesn't translate in humans.

> the research is applicable to the population you are working with so when working with humans the research is applicable to humans as research done in animals doesn't translate to humans.

So what does my studying mean for you..

Well as an MNU student I can share what I learn from MNU directly with you so this means you share the following benefits of evidence-based practice;

> Makes the results you will get as a client of mine greater

> Increases the likelihood of good/great results

> Protects you as clients

> Separates the nutrition knowledge I share with you from ’hobby’ nutritionists

Be wary..

There is questionable 'evidence' out there which has been generated by industry in which supports a personal bias so this needs to be something you are wary of when researching or reading online articles about nutrition. It's very easy to believe everything we read and not realise that we are being influenced by a personal bias.

What do I mean by bias..

So taken directly from wikipedia ''Bias is disproportionate weight in favor of or against an idea or thing, usually in a way that is closed-minded, prejudicial, or unfair. Biases can be innate or learned. People may develop biases for or against an individual, a group, or a belief. In science and engineering, a bias is a systematic error.'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bias

The MNU evidence based approach..

MNU encourages the importance to maintain research mindset integrity as research is almost always mixed and without integrity it is almost too easy to become biased.

Our own biases towards food..

So as part of our homework for MNU we were asked to reflect on our own biases towards food.

My personal biases towards food are always tracking my calories and macros because I feel if I don't I will not stay on track towards my goals. I have a bias towards eating a high protein lower carb diet. I also believe that eating food after a night of drinking alcohol will reduce the effects of my hangover. These statements are not evidence-based they have come from personal experiences which have created this biased approach.

So now its your turn to have a think. What do you find are your own personal biases towards food? Leave your comments in the box below and any questions you may have..

Best,

Clare