Calorie and nutrition information is available anywhere you look -- on the Internet, on the bookshelves, and on TV. Whether it is reliable is another matter. Often, the information is contradictory or based on the latest diet craze. Often, the information will not apply to you. But if you are looking to educate yourself on nutrition, you can find reliable sources of information -- it is a matter of knowing the best places to look.
Government Sources
Federal government websites are your best bet for finding reliable nutrition information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture publishes the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," written by a committee of medical doctors, nutritionists and dieticians. Nutrition.gov is a repository of links to all things nutrition from food and nutrition research briefs to a childhood obesity resource list to guidelines for grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking. The site also provides a link to MyPyramid.gov, the go-to site for information on the food pyramid. It includes a meal planner, a tracker, and the Food-A-Pedia, in which you can find calorie and nutrition information for specific foods or comparisons of specific foods. You can find a similar, more in-depth function in the USDA National Nutrient Database. The Nutrition Facts labels on food packages will also give you reliable information.
Medical Sources
Medical websites are also reliable sources for calorie and nutrition information. At Mayo Clinic, you will find articles on healthy eating, weight loss, diet recommendations for medical conditions, and slide shows that inform you about such things as portion control or healthy foods. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information on a wide variety of nutrition topics for both laypeople and health professionals.
Educational Sources
The Harvard School of Public Health provides "The Nutrition Source" website, maintained by its Department of Nutrition, and Harvard Medical School provides Special Health Reports on topics such as vitamins and minerals or calorie counting. The University of Cincinnati, Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve University have combined their resources on their NetWellness website. You can browse over 1,900 nutrition and calorie topics that are presented in a question-and-answer format. Many universities have similar websites specifically meant for their students, but they are nonetheless reputable sources of nutritional information for everyone.
Other Sources
The World Health Organization imparts scientific knowledge of nutrition. EatRight, a website of the American Dietetic Association, provides access to nutrition articles written by ADA registered dieticians as well as "The Good Nutrition Reading List." Many state and national food organizations also provide calorie and nutrition information, for example, The National Dairy Council. For specific information on calories and nutrients for your favorite restaurants, go to the nutrition facts page on the restaurant's website.
Sources to Avoid
Avoid books touting the latest fad diet. Instead, look for books written by medical or nutrition experts that focus on healthy eating. Though blogs and user-submitted sites can provide educated opinions and other nutrition and calorie information, they are not always reliable.
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