We are a generation that has suddenly realized that we need to be healthier. Maybe this is a result of the myriad of diseases that are connected to poor lifestyle habits or the media hype about living healthy has gotten people concerned, but either way, more people are looking for ways to stay healthy. As a result, you find advertisements for alleged nutritional foods, health apps and supplements that work. In the mixture of all these ideas, there is always a nutrition scam that people try to sell to us.
Ideas on nutritional food and supplements that we need to have in our diets or workout apps that we need to reduce weight come from all corners. It could be on your social media timelines, your favourite blogger, vlogger, Instagram influencer or Youtuber could be advertising it. Many of these foods and products cost a leg and arm but people still buy them in the belief that they are beneficial to their health. Unfortunately, with so much information at our disposal, we are also a generation that does not do a lot of research on many things. A quick referral from someone will get one spending without doing further research.
Later, after buying a product you get to hear people coming out to say that it does not work as advertised. However, this is too late because so many people have already spent a lot of money on purchasing the products. The next time you want to try out a new nutritional product, here are ways to identify a nutrition scam.
- It suggests a quick fix
This is probably the most obvious red flag. Such products commercialize people’s need for quick fixes. For example, one wants that coveted summer body but they do not want to work out or change diets. While working out regularly and sticking to a diet plan might be difficult, there’s a reason why health professionals recommend these methods. A product offering you almost instant results should make you stop and wonder about its effectiveness before purchasing it. Like Is slimming tea a good weight loss option?
- Its benefits are exaggerated
A few years back in Kenya there was a fad about the benefits of quail eggs. This resulted in people buying the eggs at high prices while others invested heavily in quail farming. The same applies to fruits that vendors sell claiming that they prevent cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney failure and other diseases. If it sounds too good to be true then it’s probably not true.
- If the evidence to support the product is based on testimonials and not science
Nutrition is directly connected to science. Any product associated with nutritional benefits should have scientific backing. However, people come up with a nutrition scam and then have people give positive testimonies on the efficiency of the product. This prevents the buyer from researching further or questioning the scientific logic behind it. Before investing in a product look up the science behind its claims. If you cannot get scientific evidence then it’s probably a nutrition scam.
- If the efficiency of a product depends on your dependability on it
For example, many of the weight loss products that are advertised such as detox smoothies require you to keep taking them. For many, while taking them, one loses the extra weight that one wanted gone. However, if you stop taking the product then you gain weight all over again. Such products play with your psychology and allude to the idea that it’s your fault that you have gained weight because you quit taking the product. This keeps you hooked to the product and the company keeps making profits. Such nutrition scams are quite common.
Such plans even go further to ask you to sign up more people to get discounts. This leads to more people relying on their product. A legit nutrition plan should not lead to you having to depend on one product for a particular benefit. If a product does this then it’s a nutrition scam and one should question what it contains.
Before investing in a nutrition product or app, it is best to consult a doctor. If you cannot get any information on the side effects or the product claims that research is underway then keep away. Would you really want to be the test subject for new products? Some have very adverse effects and that’s why health organizations do not recommend them. Despite the desire to live healthily, one should stay woke because there are plenty of nutrition scams that not only drain the pockets but also cause harm to our bodies.
