The rise in mis- and disinformation throughout and following the COVID-19 global pandemic is well documented. Social media has intensified the rapid spread of misinformation to the public about nutrition and health, which has implications for dietetic professionals.

A 2022 paper, Vegetarian Diet, Growth, and Nutrition in Early Childhood: a Longitudinal Cohort Study, has gained traction on social media. The PEN Team took a closer look at the study to assess if the current PEN recommendations related to children and vegetarian eating are up to date with this latest evidence.

New Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of obesity in children and adolescents were released in April. The Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition: PEN® [PEN] team was asked: do these new guidelines change dietetic practice and how will the PEN database be updated based on the recommendations?

The Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition: PEN® team was recently asked to consider adding information about liquid smoke into the PEN System as dietitians have been asked questions about it by their clients. An example of a question was, “Are food products with liquid smoke flavour (e.g. smoked almonds, smoked tofu) associated with health risks?”

How accurate is ChatGPT in giving nutrition information and recommendations? Read to the end to fully find out!

Should individuals avoid anti-nutrients, and the plants that bear them? Two dietetic practicum students along with the PEN® Team revisited the topic of anti-nutrients from a previous Trending Topic on Lectins to try to answer this question.

Can prescribing ‘food as medicine’ have a positive effect on health outcomes, health care costs and health-related quality of life? A recent U.S. study that looked at the impact of implementing a fruit and vegetable prescription program for adults living with diabetes and food insecurity might provide some answers.

Interest in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is transforming the health industry. Many, including health advocates and food and supplement companies, want to promote and develop foods and natural-based products that could increase GLP-1 effectiveness. Dietitians are wondering: do these products really boost GLP-1 activity to improve health outcomes and/or reduce medication dosage for those taking GLP-1 agonists?

The American not-for-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) has recently published an updated 2024 Dirty Dozen, which lists the fruit and vegetables most contaminated with pesticides. The EWG maintains that children are most likely to be susceptible to pesticide exposure and related health consequences, which has led to the American Academy of Pediatrics listing the Dirty Dozen as a resource for information on pesticide residues in produce.

A recently published systematic review builds on a previous review examining the evidence of the physical effects of energy drink consumption on children and adolescents.